October 2019
POSTPONED - Keep an eye out for the new date! The Writer's Center presents our inaugural Scrabble for Scholarships, a fundraiser for the , providing financial assistance for DC-area writers to attend our workshops. Scrabble for Scholarships is a party, plus all attendees are encouraged to join in one round (or more!) of Speed [...]
Find out moreIt's often said that without conflict there is no story. It also holds true that strengthening the conflict in any type of fiction will bump up the tension and turn limp, ordinary fiction into an extraordinary tale that will keep readers turning pages. Whether you choose to write literary fiction, mysteries, family sagas, thrillers, historical [...]
Find out moreThis day-long workshop will deconstruct and demystify the novel-writing process for struggling and/or aspiring writers. Go all the way from getting the start of an idea to getting your book into the hands of expectant fans. Along the way you'll learn how to stay organized, write in the voice of the opposite sex, the art [...]
Find out moreHave you ever looked at a map, an order form, or a recipe and thought “there’s a story there”? No? Well, it’s time to change that. In this four-week course, we’ll explore different forms of flash fiction and use them as a basis for our own, off-kilter creations. Come ready to read, write, and give [...]
Find out moreThis six-week workshop will focus on the fiction elements of setting and voice through a series of fun and varied exercises geared toward cultivating inventive, thought-provoking, and narratively efficient writing. Together we will look at what makes successful setting and voice and how they can be used to further a scene or story. This class [...]
Find out moreIf you aspire to be a produced playwright, the ten-minute play could be your ticket to success. In this highly interactive course, we'll read aloud and analyze for technique some of the best ten-minute comedies and dramas of the past decade. Then, you'll apply those techniques to your own writing. Your work will be read [...]
Find out moreAmsterdam Quarterly presents a reading by Claudia Gary , Hiram Larew, Irene Hoge Smith, and editor Bryan Monte. FREE and open to the public. About the authors Claudia Gary teaches sonnet, villanelle, and meter “crash courses” at The Writer’s Center. Her newest chapbook is GENETIC REVISIONISM. Author of HUMOR ME (2006) and poems in journals [...]
Find out moreIn your writing, do you shy away from highly charged scenes involving violence, sex, danger, mental illness, intoxication, or a character going through any type of intense physical or emotional state? During this presentation, we'll confront the challenges of conveying the thrills and fears of the most intense moments of your work in fresh ways [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreHave you considered self-publishing your picture book? This two-hour workshop is for writers interested in sharing their work through self-publishing. Learn the basics to writing and revising a children's picture book, how to find an illustrator for your picture book, publishing on Amazon and IngramSpark, and marketing tips to get started. By the end of [...]
Find out moreIs your writing in a beautifully furnished, air-conditioned rut? Or maybe you just want to have fun and jumpstart your creativity? This three-hour workshop will introduce you to games used by Improv performers and apply them to your writing practice--creating interesting new plot twists, sparking radical never-before-seen imagery, and unleashing all manner of mad word [...]
Find out moreThis interactive workshop teaches writers to distill a moment of change, conflict, contradiction, or mystery to its essence, so that the impact on the writer resonates profoundly with the reader. We will examine inspiring published examples learning exactly how the writer moved and entertained us, then do an exercise to practice those skills. Using the [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreShould the language used in poetry be different from that used in everyday speech? For centuries it most definitely was...and then, thanks to William Wordsworth, things changed. In this workshop, we will examine what diction is and why understanding where certain words come from is essential to using and combining them effectively. Topics for discussion [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreThis workshop will cover the essential elements of every rhyming text: rhythm, meter, cadence, and rhyme scheme, breaking down each element in a way that isn’t intimidating, whether onthe page or the stage. The Poetry Workshop is an introduction to poetry and poetry performance. This workshop will involve two components: writing and performing poetry. Participants [...]
Find out moreAmong the tools available to the playwright, dialogue is the most obvious and possibly least understood element of craft. In this session participants will identify some of the many uses of dialogue and discuss how the writer uses this tool to explore, discover, and build a play. The workshop will also take a look at [...]
Find out moreThis course is for individuals who want to tone up their writing muscles so they can go the distance. Each class will include a prompt for a piece that we will start in class. Participants will then focus on specifics like effective beginnings, creative prose, and strong conclusions. Participants will also learn how to avoid [...]
Find out moreIn this seven-week workshop, beginning writers will have the chance to explore three different genres: memoir writing, short fiction, and poetry. Each week participants will be given a writing assignment and several readings, to be followed by a critique of each participants’ assignment. Participants will learn about voice, point of view, dialogue, description, imagery, and [...]
Find out moreNovember 2019
If you have always wanted to write a novel but didn't know where to start, this workshop will help you understand the process so you can get started putting pen to paper. The workshop will focus on everything from generating ideas to developing characters to establishing point of view. Participants will discuss many elements of [...]
Find out moreWhen writing a novel, we must know our primary characters inside and out. We need to understand their desires, motivations, and frustrations, their histories and their futures. This workshop will focus on the development of authentic characters. Participants will examine character as both autonomous and residing within the context of the other novelistic elements, and [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreIn this one-day, three-hour class, beginning writers will explore their five senses and how they can be used to enhance their writing. Using writing prompts, participants will be shown images, listen to music, and also experience touch, taste, and smell. After responding to the writing prompts, participants will have the chance to share their work [...]
Find out moreYou may think you don't have the time, energy, or inspiration to write because of your hectic lifestyle. Wrong! Learn what professional writers know about organizing their time, establishing a productive writing routine, and getting their stories written. We'll share methods many professional writers use to complete their books in months instead of years, their [...]
Find out moreThese are exciting times to be a screenwriter. With more shows and television channels than ever, the opportunities for inventive ways of storytelling increase daily. This hands-on workshop will guide beginning and intermediate screenwriters through the process of crafting a professional-grade screenplay and/or TV pilot. Participants will examine proven methods for adapting fiction and narrative [...]
Find out moreParticipants will read and discuss a selection of Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's poems, as well as her memoir, Crazy Brave. The class will also use her work as inspiration for explorations in writing and the arts: since Harjo works in poetry, nonfiction, music, and art, participants can respond to her work in any form. The [...]
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Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic at The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Limited space. Sign-up starts at 1:30, and readings begin promptly at 2. FREE and open to the public. Hosted by Amy Freeman, Emily Holland, & Zach Powers. Sponsored by Poet [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreHow can we as writers interact with the past in a tangible way? In this session we will examine how ten writers in both poetry and non-fiction asked questions of artifact to bring the past into relevant relationship with the present. Come prepared to write: we will practice posing questions to an artifact (bring one, [...]
Find out moreJoin the Washington Writers Publishing House for a special event celebrating their two new award winning books! The WWPH Fiction winner for 2019 is Nathan Leslie, for his story collection, HURRY UP AND RELAX. Nathan Leslie’s nine previous books of fiction include THREE MEN, ROOT AND SHOOT, SIBS, and THE TALL TALE OF TOMMY TWICE. [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori SPECIAL EVENT - Join us for a post-show discussion led by Conor McPherson expert Professor Gerald Wood following the 2pm matinee on November 3, 2019. Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations [...]
Find out moreIn this six-week workshop, intermediate and advanced poets will concentrate on reading, writing and critiquing poetry. Each class session will include a brief discussion of selected contemporary poems, an in-class writing prompt, and workshopping participants' poems. Specific exercises will be given to free the imagination, and quiet the inner censor. We will explore formal considerations, [...]
Find out moreThe Word Works and The Writer’s Center feature poets Susana Case and Margo Stever. Café Muse opens at 7pm with refreshments and classical guitar by Michael Davis; readings begin at 7:30. Open mic to follow. SUSANA H. CASE is the author of six books of poetry, most recently the erasure book, Erasure, Syria (Recto y [...]
Find out moreIs your poem ready to meet the world? Or would a little feedback help you craft something more powerful? Revise your poems and learn submission tips with an award-winning poet whose work has appeared in over 100 journals and three chapbooks. Participants will bring poems to each class and share in a safe environment designed [...]
Find out moreAlthough most authors now recognize the need to participate in the marketing of their newly published books, the idea of marketing can still inspire fear and loathing. Fortunately, by developing a plan and understanding basic elements of marketing, much of that fear can be dispelled. Whether your book is being published through a big press, [...]
Find out moreWhat does your audience need to know and when do they need to know it? In this workshop writers will consider various strategies for managing exposition in the context of process in writing a play (getting started, exploring a first draft, analysis, and revisions). Participants will look at examples to better understand how to handle [...]
Find out moreThis workshop offers a practical 16-point plan that takes you from the mere germ of an idea all the way through the creative process, with an eye on getting a finished book into the hands of potential fans. Participants will discuss how to transform the nub of an idea into a book-length project, populated with [...]
Find out moreIn this workshop participants will read and discuss memoirs, stories, essays, letters, and poetry written by and about women in the second half of life. The readings will include evocations of the experiences of older women as well as reflections by women on the phases of their lives as girls, young, and mature women. Mining [...]
Find out moreLearn to deeply revise and polish your picture book manuscript before submitting to an agent or publisher. A widely published author and an acclaimed illustrator will lead discussions in pacing, page turns, storyboarding, and visually dramatic storytelling. During this hands-on workshop, writers will be editing their own manuscripts and enhancing their skills as picture book [...]
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Readings! Live music! Antics! Beer! Featuring nationally renowned authors Jose Padua, Monica Prince, Rion Amilcar Scott, Courtney Sexton, and Kate Wagner. Hosted by Amy Freeman, Emily Holland, and Zach Powers, with music by Ralvell Rogers II. FREE and open to the public (RSVP below). Open bar for the 21+ crowd. Donations appreciated. Meet the [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreThe ending is the last thing your reader sees, but will often feel rushed, added on without thought. They key is to find an organic conclusion for your story, novel, or memoir. Is there an epiphany or a question? A traditional plotted ending or an ambiguous, resonant finish? Has your character gained self-knowledge, and will [...]
Find out moreThis day-long workshop will deconstruct and demystify the novel-writing process for struggling and/or aspiring writers. Go all the way from getting the start of an idea to getting your book into the hands of expectant fans. Along the way you'll learn how to stay organized, write in the voice of the opposite sex, the art [...]
Find out moreThis workshop will focus on how autobiography functions as a method of mediating and revivifying past events that hover in the unconscious and surface in the writing process. Through writing prompts, and mini-lectures on poetic craft and history of the genre, participants will learn how the very construction of the poem is a means to [...]
Find out moreImages are one important way that a poem thinks and makes an argument. By improving our description powers we can build stronger poems that reach beyond words to a powerful collective of visual language. In class, participants will look at a few examples, and explore how expansive images can provide us with a toolbox of [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreIn this course, we'll talk about how to write characters from marginalized communities with sensitivity and nuance. Taught by a veteran sensitivity reader and writer who has had work published in Guernica, Washington Post, The Atlantic, New York Magazine, and more.
Find out more"There comes a time,” wrote the late American novelist and short-story writer James Salter, “when you realize that everything is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing have any possibility of being real.” But here’s the problem: the great swirl of experience, observation, sensation and imagination from which all our creative work emerges [...]
Find out moreFor anyone who wants to write a book but needs help getting started, this two session, four hour workshop will get you there! For novels, memoirs, or nonfiction, we'll talk about what goes where and how to get started. Please bring a 50-word description of your book project to the first class.
Find out moreCharacters set in motion a series of events and actions that become the engine of your play. In this workshop we will look at strategies for exploring and developing characters in the early stages of writing your play and discuss ways to assess the potential of the characters to drive action in your story. In [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreThis interactive workshop provides writers of all levels with techniques that reveal the patterns, themes and stories that shape their lives. Participants will practice writing with beginner’s mind, thought labeling to identify hidden ideas and beliefs, and storytelling as a creative path to healing. In this three-hour session, you will write, share, and discuss your [...]
Find out moreYou have a great idea for a story. Do you dive in and just begin writing, or start by drafting an outline? Are you a born planner or a writer who loves to discover stories organically (i.e., a pantser)? Understanding how to structure a well-conceived story around a main character and central conflict, while paying [...]
Find out moreImprove your ear for meter, and fine-tune your understanding of how meter works in poetry. Have you ever wondered how scanning the lines of your first draft can make for a better poem? Do you know why listening for the natural rhythms of speech can strengthen your writing? Guided by an internationally published author of [...]
Find out moreThese are exciting times to be a screenwriter. With more shows and television channels than ever, the opportunities for inventive ways of storytelling increase daily. This hands-on workshop will guide beginning and intermediate screenwriters through the process of crafting a professional-grade screenplay and/or TV pilot. Participants will examine proven methods for adapting fiction and narrative [...]
Find out moreBefore the holiday madness sets in, why not take a personal breather? In just two Saturday afternoons, you can explore several forms of creative writing. By jump-starting with fun exercises, we will circumvent the analytic brain and give imagination a chance to thrive. You will receive tips on how to free up memories and experiences [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreConor McPherson's "Port Authority" - October 25 - November 17, 2019 Directed by Jack Sbarbori Order tickets » A tale of the lost loves and missed opportunities of three generations of Dublin men. Per New York Times' Ben Brantley, "'Port Authority' is a haunting fugue on passive lives and loves that might have been... As [...]
Find out moreJoin authors Cheryl Head (Judge Me When I’m Wrong), Tara Laskowski (One Night Gone) and Vanessa Lillie (Little Voices) with moderator Angie Kim to discuss their newly released crime fiction! A Detroit PI who struggles to accept her sexuality. A newly divorced woman who tries to recoup in a secretive beach community. A former prosecutor [...]
Find out moreLet’s write a picture book together! After reading a book together, kids and their grownups will choose from a set of colorful, visual prompts. The kids will narrate a story while their grownups help to write the words. Together, they will illustrate the short picture book. The class will end with each child and their [...]
Find out moreDecember 2019
The Word Works, in collaboration with The Writer’s Center, features readings by the poets Joanne Rocky Delaplaine and Reuben Jackson. Café Muse opens at 7 pm with refreshments and classical guitar by Michael Davis; readings begin at 7:30, open mic to follow.
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The Word Works and The Writer’s Center feature poets Joanne Rocky Delaplaine and Reuben Jackson. Café Muse opens at 7pm with refreshments and classical guitar by Michael Davis; readings begin at 7:30. Poetry open mic to follow. All Café Muse programs are free to the public and handicapped accessible. JOANNE ROCKY DELAPLAINE is an award-winning [...]
Find out moreIn this workshop, you will read and discuss several short stories by writers who are masters of the form, and then discuss the work you submit to the class. This should be an exciting, energetic class that will offer more insight into the possibilities of story telling and the way craft supports our vision as [...]
Find out moreWrite words that help you grow your business! A thriving, successful business is built on a foundation of powerful words. But many entrepreneurs never learned how to express themselves or describe what they do in a way that feels good or effective in terms of building their business. This one-night course will give authors and [...]
Find out moreThis workshop will ask participants to examine HOW they envision and create their main character's voice and point of view. Emphasis will be on authenticity and originality.
Find out moreYou’ve written your book – now fight for it! One of the most powerful ways to promote and market a book is to learn how to speak on behalf of that book. Improve your deliveries for the occasional requests to speak that have come your way, or generate additional revenue by building a speaking business. [...]
Find out moreProse, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic at The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Limited space. Sign-up starts at 1:30, and readings begin promptly at 2. FREE and open to the public. Hosted by Amy Freeman, Emily Holland, & Zach Powers. Sponsored by Poet [...]
Find out moreAll you have to do is to read the early drafts of a well-known poet’s work to realize how crucial revision is. And yet most poets resist doing the hard work involved in turning a rough draft into a finished poem. This workshop will focus on how to distance yourself from your poem so that [...]
Find out moreTWC presents authors Solveig Eggerz, Melanie Hatter, Leslie M. Rollins, and Alice Stephens as they share their thoughts and inspiration for writing strong female protagonists. The panel will be moderated by Bethanne Patrick, also known as @TheBookMaven. FREE and open to the public!
Find out moreThis workshop offers a practical 16-point plan that takes you from the mere germ of an idea all the way through the creative process, with an eye on getting a finished book into the hands of potential fans. Participants will discuss how to transform the nub of an idea into a book-length project, populated with [...]
Find out moreLead with the future — not background. That’s the most important of eight journalism skills that will transform your writing. The others: write your readers’ language, be positive (to be both clear and upbeat), lay out logically, be consistent, be precise, be brief, and choose strong verbs. Highlights: communicate in a crisis, correct errors the [...]
Find out moreThis workshop will help you shape personal stories into powerful fiction or non-fiction for your readers' pleasure. Participants will explore how to transform memories into vibrant tales using conflict, dialogue, a sense of time, and a reflection on meaning. Prompts will demonstrate how to enhance a personal story through historic events, shifting points of view, [...]
Find out moreTo capture a reader's attention and hold it, an author needs a great first sentence, paragraph...chapter. How do we provide the hook that will draw readers into our stories, no matter the genre? This fun workshop will reveal tried-and-true techniques for launching your novel, short story, or memoir that will make your story's opening irresistible. [...]
Find out moreThis day-long workshop will deconstruct and demystify the novel-writing process for struggling and/or aspiring writers. Go all the way from getting the start of an idea to getting your book into the hands of expectant fans. Along the way you'll learn how to stay organized, write in the voice of the opposite sex, the art [...]
Find out moreCelebrate the end of our workshop season, TWC's birthday, and the start of the holidays! Find gifts for the whole family at our annual book fair (11am-3pm), where authors and publishers come together for a lively holiday market. Free admission and holiday/birthday refreshments!
Find out moreJanuary 2020
Work on your latest project surrounded by fellow authors and illustrators, with refreshments, door prizes, and lots of moral support! Published and Listed Members of SCBWI will be on hand offering 10-minute first page, query, or illustration critiques for $10. (Signup for these slots will happen at the door.) This FREE program is co-sponsored by [...]
Find out moreFebruary 2020
The Writer's Center is excited to partner with Story District to host their February addition of their Storytelling Bootcamp course. In this one-day (7-hour) intensive, you will generate new story material, learn about and apply narrative structure and storytelling techniques to a story of your choice, practice telling stories in pairs and small groups, and [...]
Find out moreJune 2019
Having a children's book published in today's tough market may seem like an impossible dream. But, in reality, getting your book idea into shape and into print can hinge on just the right advice from a pro. Do you need an agent? Should you connect with an artist? What about self-publishing? In a DC-area exclusive [...]
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