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Murderous Roommates and Other Short Stories at Manual Arts Writers’ Room

On a Wednesday in late October, Los Angeles was doing its best impression of fall: a nip in the air until almost 10am, a few red leaves on trees, pop-up costume stores haunting empty strip malls. That same day, students at Manual Arts High School were channeling writers of all kinds in the last session of a Short Stories workshop supported by the 826LA Writers’ Room.

In the preceding weeks, they’d discussed elements of plot—rising action, climax, falling action—and brainstormed topics ranging from fantastical to painfully realistic (“somebody overthrowing a government,” shared Michael). Other students preferred to write non-spooky fiction, so the assignment was clear: all short stories allowed.

“Do you all have your brainstorm document finished?” asked Writers’ Room Coordinator William Trlak. Most of them did. 

Students discussed their subject matter—“somebody fighting someone,” “two roommates, one is a murderer”—and William offered constructive feedback along with English teacher Ms. J and 826LA intern Holly McCauley.

Ms. J announced, “I’m going to make two kinds of suggestions—for grammar and clarity, and I’m going to mark places where you can go more in depth.”

In small groups, students also got one-on-one coaching, which is 826LA’s hallmark.

“I love your imagery,” William told a student. “I feel like I’m in the English countryside in the 1700s.”

William is a young man with a large build, dark curly hair, and a bit of facial hair. He wears a flannel over a T-shirt and stands in front of a classroom white board, gesturing with his hands as he speaks.

To another, he offered a gentle reminder: “You can’t just tell the story of Jeffrey Dahmer.”

Holly encouraged student Byron to develop his plot and character. “Start with what happens in the ambulance. Tyrone is shocked…upset…angry.”

The creative spell was broken briefly by a visitor from the county office of education, who came to poll students about their wifi and Chromebook access. Then it was back to writing and onto lunch. 

What will happen with the murderous roommate, the spooky countryside, and the eventful ambulance ride? The next step will be publishing students’ stories, so watch this space.

To volunteer with 826LA programs, sign up to attend a Volunteering 101 orientation.

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