Faith and Fiction will explore the religious and spiritual aspects of characters, themes, and the plots of various stories and novels. My primary focus will be Catholic-themed work, although I will explore the writings of non-Catholics, including Willa Cather and Graham Greene. As Muriel Spark once asserted, “There is no such thing as a Catholic novel unless it’s a piece of propaganda.” By examining the work of masters like Flannery O’Connor and Toni Morrison, participants will learn how to create Art not Kitsch.
How to Write a Mystery covers the basic structure and elements of the mystery genre with activities would-be mystery writers can use to start outlining their very own novels.
Tension: Creating Sustainable Conflict in Fiction examines the interrelation of three elements of fiction: mystery, tension, and surprise. It also analyzes internal and external conflict in several well-known works.
Abnormal Psychology in Fiction: Getting It Right discusses media portrayals of individuals with mental health disorders and weighs the impact of negative portrayals in fiction. It is a close look at stigma and at the techniques authors use to create realistic characters.
Since my debut novel, How Everything Turns Away, was published three years ago by The Wild Rose Press, I’ve had the privilege of visiting schools and libraries across the country. If you’d like me to visit your organization, either in person or via Zoom, don’t hesitate to reach out!
When I’m not writing mystery novels, I am a full-time English teacher at Holcomb High School (although my students call me “Mr. Miller” not “Mr. Kolbe”). I am also a more-than-full-time husband and father of four.
I’m very excited to bring my writing classes to your library or school. For more information, contact me at kolbestevenj@gmail.com
I’ve had the pleasure of presenting to seventeen libraries (most of them in Kansas) and two schools! I’m available for in-person and online events.
Steven J Kolbe 