Allison Wyss

I don't think I've been lost. And a book(!): Splendid Anatomies (Shirley Jackson Award Finalist, 2022)

she/her/hers

Header: A slice of a book cover with a mixed textile sculpture called "High Lonesome" by Korey Rowswell, beside the words "Splendid Anatomies, stories, Allison Wyss"

Profile pic: Still a picture of Allison Wyss, trying to look badass but not quite getting there, but this time holding up an arm with a tattoo of her book's cover image (white woman, glasses, curly brown hair)

Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

This class goes deep into perspective, 1st/2nd/3rd person singular & plural POV, filtering through personality, sensibility, reliability, secrets & mystery, omniscience, tense, narrative distance, zooming, curation of artifacts, narrative strategy, & a few stranger options.

https://loft.org/classes/narration-finding-right-voice

#WritingCommunity #WritingConversations #WritingClass #POV #Perspective #Narration #Narrative #Sensibility

March 24, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us
March 12, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

I got to interview Avitus B. Carle abut her collection of flash fiction, THESE WORN BODIES. We talked about the playful deconstruction of human and narrative form, the upending of regressive gender expectations, the POV of small animals, and how tiny stories can both create and destroy.

https://bit.ly/3XLWAVh

#WritingCommunity #WritingConversations #FlashFiction #AvitusBCarle #TheseWornBodies #NecessaryFiction #Bookstodon

March 11, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

Here's my interview of Linda Michel-Cassidy about her short story collection, WHEN WE WERE HARDCORE. We talk about death, treacherous landscapes, and oddball characters living in in-between spaces.

https://bit.ly/3CKWXIt

#WritingCommunity #Fiction #WritingConversations #Bookstodon #ShortStories

February 11, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

@troublewithwords

Yeah, I really wish I could teach whole books. But outside of academia, folks just don't have time for that much writing to accompany a writing class. Often there's not even time for a full short story.

January 27, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

@troublewithwords

I'm definitely planning to look at the books.

It's such an interesting puzzle to choose scenes to teach. It's not always just finding what's good but finding what tools are on display, you know? And then excerpting so there's enough context is its own challenge.

But I like where my brain takes me when I'm chasing these things down.

January 27, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

@troublewithwords

I missed this! You're so great to think about this, but please only if it's fun. I am not here to add to anyone's burden.

January 27, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

@wendypalmer

Ooh, that sounds perfect.

January 22, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

@troublewithwords Could be what I want. The important thing is that the fight means something--and I'm hoping for something that does that and is super explosive and physical (just for funsies). And, you know if you can point me specifically--without too much trouble--that's great, but I can also look up the books myself.

January 22, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

OK I'm looking to change up some readings for my course on intimacy and conflict--the theory being they can both be tools to make scenes dynamic.

I've got plenty of non-conflict examples, but I'd like one really great physical action full-on conflict scene. Like a fistfight or something. Bodies in motion & swinging at each other & the outcome of the fight really has consequences.

What are your favorites?

#WritingCommunity #WritingConversations #FightScene

January 21, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

This class is about making things happen. It's about writing dynamic scenes that move the plot & reveal character. Many writers swear by conflict, but positive moments of interpersonal connection or intimacy can do the same work. We'll practice both ways.

8 weeks, Wednesdays, 1/22/25 - 3/12/25, 10am-12pm CST, Online (live meetings)

#WritingCommunity #WritingClass #AmWriting #WritingConversations #DynamicScenes #Intimacy&Conflict #WritingCraft

https://bit.ly/3ZEW64y

January 09, 2025
Allison Wyss
allisonwyss@zirk.us

This writing class is billed as about overcoming hangups when writing sex scenes--and it is that--but we also cover a lot of really practical techniques for making writing sexy. It's a fun class. Sometimes also a funny class. Join me! (It's in person though, which I know is quite limiting...)

Saturday, 1/18/25, 9am-12pm, OpenBook, Minneapolis MN

https://bit.ly/AwkSupSex

#WritingCommunity #WritingClass #WritingConversations #WritingSexScenes

January 04, 2025