David Borofka

Instructor Biography:

M.F.A., author of four books including Hints of His Mortality (winner of the Iowa Short Fiction Award), The Island, A Longing for Impossible Things and the forthcoming novel, The End of Good Intentions. Mr. Borofka’s story “Attachment” appeared in the anthology Coolest American Stories 2023. He is a recipient of the UCLA Extension Outstanding Instructor Award in Creative Writing.

Instructor Statement:

I know too many people who talk about their desire to write the way children talk about becoming movie stars and firemen--as though the wish were enough--and over the years, I've had to be honest with myself as well. Writers write. And when I'm not writing, I'm not a writer. I'm a reader when I read, I'm a teacher when I teach. And I'm a writer when I write. And these are the greatest gifts of a workshop: the encouragement to write, accountability to others when we don't, the expectation of an audience, the fear of disappointing. For there is no other way to produce a story or a novel, except by the discipline of sitting still long enough--alone, without distractions--to think, to compose, to edit, and to start over if need be. The practice of writing may be the loneliest, most solitary art, but we can help one another if we are honest and committed to the craft rather than relying on our most idle of desires.

Our Students Say it Best!

“David Borofka is a thoughtful, fair, knowledgeable and generous teacher. He’s demanding, but never stingy with praise. He obviously has put a lot of thought and work into his class, and the reading list is fantastic. Highly recommend!” — Writers’ Program Student

Read an interview with David Borofka on Bibliobuffet.com.

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