April 2019
Lead 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 [...]
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The Writer’s Center is forming a FREE Prose Writer’s Group, and we want you to join! Improve your writing year-round in a supportive and encouraging environment. You’ll receive constructive, high-caliber feedback and become part of TWC’s vibrant literary community. The Prose Writer’s Group is open to writers of all experience levels and will meet twice [...]
Find out moreWhether you are an organized planner or a writer who flies by the seat of their pants, a novel still needs structure. In this four-week online workshop, participants will study the architecture of a novel and devise plans for plotting their novels.
Find out moreIf you have always wanted to write a novel but didn't know where to start, this workshop will help you understand the process of writing a novel 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 [...]
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Celebrate National Poetry Month with Poet Lore, America's oldest poetry magazine! Write, drink, and be social! Poet Lore invites you to its 130th birthday party on the final Friday of National Poetry Month. This special event will also honor our esteemed executive editors, Jody Bolz and E. Ethelbert Miller, who will be stepping down from [...]
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Michael Hollinger’s Ghost-Writer — April 5 through 28, 2019 Directed by Laura Giannarelli Click here for tickets and showtimes » Special discount for TWC members! (Running time about 90 minutes with no intermission) In this haunting love story set in New York in 1919, novelist Franklin Woolsey (Steve LaRocque) dies mid-sentence, but his typist, Myra [...]
Find out moreIf you’ve always wanted to write a mystery novel but didn’t know where to start, this workshop is for you. This class will focus on writing fundamentals as they apply to the mystery. Participants will examine characteristics of the many subgenres (thrillers, too!) and learn about mystery-specific conventions and pitfalls such as TSTL syndrome, macguffins, [...]
Find out moreTo capture a reader's attention and hold it, an author needs a great first sentence, paragraph, and 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 [...]
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To be visionary is to perceive the intangible—to imagine possibilities beyond the accepted norm. How can we cultivate the unseen to create a more vibrant future? Join us for Bethesda’s next TEDx conference at Strathmore’s beautiful Concert Hall. Global thought leaders from Google, Forbes, ABC’s Shark Tank, A&E, and more will take the stage to [...]
Find out moreYou’ve spent months (or years) of your life—not to mention copious amounts of blood, sweat, and tears—writing a dynamite novel. Don’t simply spend five minutes slapping together a weak query letter; you owe it to yourself to write a great one that will break through the slush-clutter at top literary agencies. In this workshop, you’ll [...]
Find out moreMichael Hollinger’s Ghost-Writer — April 5 through 28, 2019 Directed by Laura Giannarelli Click here for tickets and showtimes » Special discount for TWC members! (Running time about 90 minutes with no intermission) In this haunting love story set in New York in 1919, novelist Franklin Woolsey (Steve LaRocque) dies mid-sentence, but his typist, Myra [...]
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Acclaimed poets Jeffrey Levine and Susan Sonde come to The Writer's Center for an afternoon of new poetry, with an opening reading by Brandon Johnson. FREE and open to the pubic! ----- Jeffrey Levine is the author of three books of poetry: The Kinnegad Home for the Bewildered, forthcoming from Salmon Press (March, 2019), Rumor [...]
Find out moreMichael Hollinger’s Ghost-Writer — April 5 through 28, 2019 Directed by Laura Giannarelli Click here for tickets and showtimes » Special discount for TWC members! (Running time about 90 minutes with no intermission) In this haunting love story set in New York in 1919, novelist Franklin Woolsey (Steve LaRocque) dies mid-sentence, but his typist, Myra [...]
Find out moreMichael Hollinger’s Ghost-Writer — April 5 through 28, 2019 Directed by Laura Giannarelli Click here for tickets and showtimes » Special discount for TWC members! (Running time about 90 minutes with no intermission) In this haunting love story set in New York in 1919, novelist Franklin Woolsey (Steve LaRocque) dies mid-sentence, but his typist, Myra [...]
Find out moreMay 2019
Using outside readings as models, participants will draft two personal essays they've been wanting to write. Participants will have the choice to offer both, or the draft and then revision of one in the final workshop. Essays should run 5 double-spaced pages or 1250 words. Participants will receive reading assignments via email before the class [...]
Find out moreAward-winning students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and Einstein High School will read from their works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Find out moreProse poems are non-lineated poems that employ strong elements from both fiction and poetry. Participants will have a lot of fun reading and writing prose poems, while focusing on elements of prosody, craft, and storytelling. Participants will receive reading assignments via email before the class begins.
Find out morePoets and poems are often remembered for their opening lines, but is there a “right” or at least a “better” way to begin a poem? In this workshop, participants will explore some of the ways in which poets have traditionally chosen to open their poems and then look at some poems that break with tradition [...]
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Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic at The Writer's Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 3-4 minutes of their latest work. 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 Lore.
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The Word Works and The Writer’s Center present poets W. Luther Jett and Nomi Stone. Café Muse opens at 7pm with refreshments and classical guitar by Michael Davis; readings begin at 7:30, followed by a poetry open mic. All Café Muse programs are free to the public and are handicapped accessible. W. LUTHER JETT is [...]
Find out moreThis workshop will allow writers of all genres to think and ‘write’ on their feet, using verbal and non-verbal warmups, and new original games to stimulate perspective, generate cognitive flexibility, and gain creative flow. Get rid of the negativity blocking your creativity in a judgement free zone. Gain a multifaceted perspective knowing that all answers [...]
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Join The Writer's Center and instructor Susan Coll for an evening of readings by participants in the Novel Year program. Each reader will present an excerpt from their novels-in-progress. Reception to follow. FREE and open to the public. MEET THE READERS: Paul Feine is an award-winning documentary filmmaker from California who has produced programs about [...]
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 moreThe Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) is proud to share the writing of our Spring 2019 Creative Writing class graduates. After weeks of creativity, collaboration, and rigorous writing in ASAP's creative writing course, our veterans, service members, and military families will take the stage to share their work for the first time. Join us for [...]
Find out moreThis workshop invites aspiring writers to consider what makes a good short story. After reading examples, participants will explore the craft of short fiction through a set of written exercises. They will gain a sound grasp of the essential building blocks: character, point of view, dialogue, setting, plot, structure, and theme. By the course's end, [...]
Find out moreIn this eight-week course, participants will be reading and writing in several sub-genres of creative nonfiction including memoir, essay, literary journalism, and the epistolary form. The class will focus on generating new material, offering feedback to peers, revising pieces, and researching markets for the placement of work.
Find out moreFear is just excitement without the breath! What if there was something you haven't learned yet that could change everything? The mission in this workshop is to help you use your fear as a compass, instead of letting it paralyze you - to help you write and share the pieces of your soul aching to [...]
Find out moreGraduates of The Extreme Novelist I and Extreme Novelist II (Revision) courses are invited to apply for a place in this advanced writers’ workshop. Other proficient writers of book-length fiction and short story collections may also apply, if there is room. (Only 10 seats are available.) The goal is to gather valuable feedback from other [...]
Find out moreJust as we learn to speak by hearing others speak around us, it’s our lifetime of reading that largely makes us who we are as writers. So, what are you reading, and how? In this workshop, you will experience seven techniques for becoming more conscious of yourself as a reader, deepening the experience of reading [...]
Find out moreStart your summer writing! Start fast with micro-fiction and flash fiction based on in-class prompts. Be ready to move to full-length short stories in weeks two and three while developing your character, plot, and often the most elusive element: voice. In class workshops and discussion on craft will help you revise your work. Written critiques [...]
Find out moreTell a story that takes the writer to a brand new place, highlighting inciting (exciting!) events, world building, and unforgettable characters! This workshop is for writers of fiction (story or novel), memoir, or essay. The course will include writing prompts, instruction on writerly topics and reading assignments as well as peer review/workshop. Please bring the [...]
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 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 moreThis interactive workshop is for anyone who would like to create a memoir that values the struggles in their lives, makes sense of them, and explores their meaning. The focus will be practical and designed to help participants make rapid progress with their memoirs. Participants will discuss the reasons for writing a memoir, how to [...]
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 [...]
Find out moreLearn how to pack a powerful punch when writing persuasively! This six-week workshop teaches the processes involved in crafting newspaper op-eds and written speeches: Think. Plan. Write. Participants will learn the techniques of audience analysis, message development, targeted research, organization, using persuasive language, and effective use of social media in planning/strategizing. The workshop also covers [...]
Find out moreLearn how to write for the ear and your writing will be sharper. A veteran broadcaster will introduce you to great radio, in-class writing, and editing. By the end of this workshop, participants will have a polished essay and it will be recorded by a professional engineer.
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 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. The class will highlight methods that many professional writers use to complete their books in months instead [...]
Find out moreHave you considered self-publishing your book? This two hour workshop is for writers interested in sharing their work through self-publishing. Learn about self-publishing best practices, from writing your first draft to getting your book in to the hands of readers. In this workshop you will learn how to organize your project, edit your manuscript, and [...]
Find out moreWriters from The Writer’s Center will unite with visual artists at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Hyattsville, MD, to learn the ins and outs of collaborative partnerships and practice making work together. Participants will first get to know one another's creative and work styles, create new work drawing on one another's art and ideas, and [...]
Find out moreLearn the skills to identify precisely the right word to express your meaning, feeling, or subtext. Participants will look at examples in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and discuss what makes an expression fresh rather than expected, where and how to find the mot juste (the exact, appropriate word), and why precision can succeed in getting [...]
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. Class members will bring poems to share in a safe environment designed to help [...]
Find out moreStruggling to reach a writing goal, or want more creativity in your life? In this class, you’ll learn what’s needed to build a regular writing practice that works for you. As a group, participants will discuss obstacles to success, and begin to recognize and work with triggers and roadblocks. Participants will experiment with a variety [...]
Find out morePretty much all fiction runs on mystery and suspense, often both. We read stories because we want to know what’s going to happen next—will Harry marry Sally?—or because we want to know why something happened: Why did Sally refuse to marry Harry, despite her undying love for him? This workshop will place a special emphasis [...]
Find out moreYou’ve finished the first draft of your story or novel, but now the real work begins! Make it the best it can be with this one day workshop.
Find out moreHow do you research and hone an idea well enough to get through the static to national publication? Successful writers share their queries and the negotiations that led to publication in Bloomberg Businessweek, AARP, Pacific Standard, NYT Sunday Business, etc. Participants will look at both the pitches and the resulting articles and learn how each [...]
Find out moreWhat does it take to make a successful short story, and how do you write one? Using other writers as role models, participants will examine together the specific craft elements that contribute to making a story great, as they work on their own piece for a final workshop discussion. Participants will receive reading assignments via [...]
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 moreGet out of your comfort zone and acquire tools for telling powerful stories across multiple genres. Over the course of this workshop, participants will be expected to write two short pieces: one fiction and one nonfiction. Each week, we will discuss an assigned story or essay followed by two or three participant pieces (to be [...]
Find out moreIn this course, you will learn what ingredients give the main character in your novel a compelling voice. Writers will discuss how the protagonist's voice drives other characters and the unfolding plot action. Each participant is expected to bring their own novel that is a "work in progress." Together, the class will workshop each participant's [...]
Find out moreHow do you develop that most elusive of elements for a writer--your own voice? What are the elements of craft that go into voice? What creates vivid, distinctive narratives? Whether you are writing fiction or creative nonfiction, this one-day workshop will focus on several in-class prompts and writing samples designed to experiment with "voice" in [...]
Find out moreJune 2019
Writing a novel takes commitment, but it doesn’t need to be daunting. Learn how to generate a handful of plots from which to choose, methods for effectively planning your story, and simple hacks for fine tuning your basic fiction skills. Participants will initiate a flexible writing plan that will keep their writing flowing. This is [...]
Find out moreWhether you are a writer of fiction, memoir, or personal essay, this class will give you the tools to make your prose sparkle and draw-in readers beginning with the first sentence. Participants will learn the creative use of sensory detail, metaphor, word choice, and pacing, which will be discussed and applied through in-class exercises and [...]
Find out morePoetry is, in part, high emotion in language. Cultures throughout the world use poetry to share their histories, shape their stories, and express ideas in lyric form. In this workshop, participants will look at inner language and life experiences to explore writing from personal and cultural memory. Through writing prompts and mini-lectures on craft, formal [...]
Find out moreThis intensive one-day workshop will offer all poets—whether they have yet to submit their first poem to a literary journal or are ready to present a publisher with a book-length manuscript—hands-on advice on how to achieve their publishing goals. Participants will learn how to place poems in print and online journals, why anthologies are such [...]
Find out moreProse, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic at The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 3-4 minutes of their latest work. 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 Lore.
Find out moreIf you’ve dabbled in flash fiction, but need a spark of inspiration for new stories, this four-week online course is for you. After a brief review of the techniques of flash, participants will spend the bulk of the time writing to prompts, generating new ideas, and workshopping their stories. Writers will also discuss revision strategies [...]
Find out moreIt’s poetry in motion! In this workshop, participants will explore the history and techniques of video poetry, develop poems and storyboards through a series of easy and meditative exercises, and transform ideas into short experimental video poems and animations. By the end of the workshop, you will have an inspiring portfolio and a solid platform [...]
Find out moreThis four-week workshop will focus on the vital fiction elements of dialogue and description 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 for successful dialogue and description and how they can be used to further plot, character development, and [...]
Find out moreDo you have a memoir, novel, or chapbook trapped inside of you? Set it free with this course about the basic elements of creative writing. Every week, participants will read creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, and apply their reading to exercises designed to generate pieces that effectively utilize character, setting, and plot. Participants will leave [...]
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The Word Works and The Writer’s Center present poets Lisa Lewis and Margaret Mackinnon. Café Muse opens at 7pm with refreshments and classical guitar by Michael Davis; readings begin at 7:30, followed by a poetry open mic. LISA LEWIS is the author of six poetry collections, among them Silent Treatment (Viking/Pinguin, 1998, winner of the [...]
Find out moreRevising is the most exciting part of writing. It's the chance to shape and focus your work. This class is designed for participants who have a short story or a personal essay and want to polish it to a shine. Participants will receive reading assignments via email before the class begins.
Find out moreBlogging is an easy yet powerful platform-building tool! Come learn how to use your blogs to find readers and build your author platform. You'll learn the components of a good blog, including how to write a headline that'll attract readers, techniques that'll keep them reading down the page, and tools that will have them clicking [...]
Find out moreDo you read the New York Times "Tiny Love Stories" and think: I have a big, tiny love story? Can you imagine writing your life story in 100 words, or less? This workshop will focus on the exploding writing genre of micro fiction and non-fiction. Through prompts, writing samples, and in-class discussion, participants will write [...]
Find out moreThis class of mini-lectures and short exercises will take us through some of the following questions: who sees (when, how, and where), who knows (what, when, and how), and who speaks? There will be assigned readings emailed before class (check your email), and short exercises in class. Come ready for a lively, interactive time.
Find out moreThis one-day presentation will educate writers on the world of self-publishing. Specifically, it will examine and compare the leading digital or print-on-demand publishers, reveal the costs and benefits to writers in the printing packages offered, recommends how to select a publisher, and warn writers to stay away from the costly and unproven marketing packages – [...]
Find out moreIn this workshop, participants will examine the qualities of good writing and good storytelling. After a recap on the constituent elements of short fiction, participants will take a fresh look at contemporary and classic stories alike. Each week, writers will craft a new piece and offer feedback to fellow participants. By the course's end, writers [...]
Find out moreSometimes it is easier to write than it is to talk, especially when dealing with sensitive issues involving family members. This workshop will explore when writing a letter might be appropriate and the best way to do it. Expressing love, concern, regret, compunction, gratitude, appreciation, or another highly charged feelings can be challenging. Participants will [...]
Find out moreConnect with the natural world as a reader and a writer, from the species level to the larger landscape of place. Participants will read and discuss contemporary nature writing, engage in nature-writing exercises and activities in class and on their own, and share and discuss samples of participant writing. Participants will acquire tools and skills [...]
Find out moreExplore the deep roots and traditions of women’s literature. The workshop will include discussion of some of the most important themes and techniques of women’s writing down the millennia; guided writing time to create your own poetry and prose in touch with these traditions; and the chance to share your work with our group. Suggested [...]
Find out moreSo you've always thought of yourself as a prose writer, but maybe, just maybe, there's a poet inside, too? This class is designed to show you how reading and writing poetry can help strengthen your work as a prose writer. Participants will receive reading assignments via email before the class begins.
Find out moreThe purpose of this course is to instruct aspiring magazine and newspaper freelancers in how to construct a destination or hotel article, pitch it, write effective query letters, and find appropriate outlets. Each week, participants will work on a feature of their choosing, with some classroom reading. They will be encouraged to bring in exemplary [...]
Find out morePitching personal essays is quite different from submitting travel stories, journalism, and many other types of writing. In this workshop, you'll learn about hundreds of places to submit your work, how to discern which ones might best fit your essay, where to find the best writers’ guidelines, and what you should include (and omit) from [...]
Find out moreLife is beautiful. It's also messy. In this personal essay writing workshop, writers will use the messiness of real life for inspiration. Participants will practice drawing from experiences, asking hard questions, and diving in deep to reveal their true selves through their creative work.
Find out moreCalling all alums of Kathryn Johnson's Extreme Novelist workshops! Share your writing adventures. Renew friendships. Who has published, or is soon to be? Wine reception with yummy eats. Door Prizes, including a chance for a free Critical Read by Kathryn RSVP: Laura.spencer@{{{{homeurl_non_www}}}} The celebration can’t possibly be complete without you!
Find out moreJust as in life, difficult and complicated people inhabit both fiction and personal essays. But how do we create interest in and empathy for the least likable? What is the leap of imagination that's required? There will be pre-class reading assignments and a writing assignment emailed ahead of time to jump-start our time together.
Find out moreWriting poems is discovery on paper, and good poems surprise and delight the poet as much as anyone. In this workshop, designed for new friends of poetry, you will try on a variety of styles and forms on the way to finding your own poetic voice. Participants will read poems together and use them as [...]
Find out moreHaving 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 [...]
Find out moreWriting a book and getting it published is hard enough--however the work doesn’t end there. Both traditionally and self-published authors are expected to do their own promotion, and it can be hard to know which ones are most effective, let alone which ones are out there before publication. Author and Assistant Director of Publicity and [...]
Find out moreJumpstart a winning college essay that reflects your strengths and authentic voice. With guidance from seasoned college essay coach, Pamela Toutant, students will learn the attributes of successful essays, brainstorm essay topics, get feedback, and develop an essay outline.
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 moreWant to submit your work to magazines but don't know how? This one day workshop will explore what literary magazines are, what editors are looking for in submissions, have a “translation” exercise, tips on how to get the most out of a lit mag, and the secrets to writing a great cover letter to get [...]
Find out moreFind the starting point for your memoir, book, or essay that will set the story in motion and reveal direction for you and the reader. In this two week immersion course participants will study the first pages of exemplary memoirs to see how—and why— writers chose the material they do to begin their work. Participants [...]
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 moreIn this workshop, participants will look closely at the uses of metaphor, image, and concrete detail, as well as rhythm and inflection, in prose writing (both fiction and nonfiction). This will be an exercise-based class with mini-lectures from the instructor. Participants will receive reading assignments via email before the class begins.
Find out more“I am amazed by the amount I learned!” is what participants say about this popular class. This workshop is for writers looking to begin, or deepen, their exploration of poetry with a focus on craft. Each session is devoted to one aspect of craft (imagery, line, form, revision, etc.) and begins with a chance to [...]
Find out moreRevision is a dirty word to some writers. But you needn’t fear the challenges of polishing a manuscript before submission and publication. This fast-paced, half-day class focuses on the ten most common mistakes and concerns, often overlooked by authors before they send their story out into the world. Everything you do to your manuscript after [...]
Find out moreMaybe you've toyed with the idea of writing a business book and sharing what you've learned with others around you. The fact is, anyone can write a book. The problem is, most people are stopped before they even start by the size of the project, and more importantly, the lack of a clear process. With [...]
Find out moreJuly 2019
Do you ever find yourself filling pages with rambling, wandering, plotless nonsense? In this workshop, we’ll turn those pages to gold! For five weeks, participants will discover ways of relaxing our minds and writing from the subconscious, then explore methods of focusing and organizing the stream-of-consciousness into a variety of forms such as poetry, micro-fiction, [...]
Find out moreAre you ready to go beyond your blog and publish your work? Learn how to tell your parenting stories -- from the funny to the heartbreaking -- in a way that speaks to others and gets noticed by editors! This workshop will offer online exercises and discussions with group critiques and feedback by the instructor. [...]
Find out moreIn this workshop, participants will learn about how to make first lines do the heavy lifting, how to build unforgettable worlds and characters who will stay with your reader long after the story is done! In this five-week, online course, participants will be given writing prompts, outside reading, direct instruction, and peer review/workshop.
Find out moreVampires, zombies, and halflings with swords! Participants will build a world and write in it. The first session of this workshop will be devoted to the basics of fiction and story construction. In the second session, participants will do a start-up exercise to help get them started on a possibly longer work.
Find out moreWhether you are an organized planner or a writer who flies by the seat of their pants, a novel still needs structure. In this four-week online workshop, participants will study the architecture of a novel and devise plans for plotting their novels.
Find out moreIf you have always wanted to write a novel but didn't know where to start, this workshop will help you understand the process of writing a novel 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 [...]
Find out moreAre you new to writing and interested in potentially publishing about your experiences as a parent? This class is an introduction to finding your story, distinguishing it from others, and avoiding clichés and stereotypes. Exercises and group critiques in a safe space, with a focus on digging in and writing bravely and honestly. Great for [...]
Find out moreWhat do Harry Potter, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and your children’s book all have in common? They all began as unpublished manuscripts searching for the right home. While you may have written the next great children’s book, you may also find the submission process daunting and confusing. In this workshop you will learn where to [...]
Find out moreExplore imaginative forms of writing in a supportive environment. Fun prompts will help circumvent the analytic brain and give creativity a chance to thrive. Free up memories and use them as inspiration for memoir, fiction, poems, creative nonfiction, journal-writing, scrap-booking, etc. Features of the workshop include in-class assignments, opportunity to read your writing—or not, as [...]
Find out moreLearn how to write proposals to request grants from funders. This workshop will cover how to research prospective funders, the elements of a good proposal, and how to approach funders. Proposal writing is a practical skill that applies to those who work or volunteer for non-profit organizations and can be a good source of freelance [...]
Find out moreIn 1903, Ida Tarbell was "the most famous woman in America." How did this journalist research and write her balanced and compelling series on Standard Oil? How did she decide the storyline for her narrative about the power of this trust? How did she verify the accuracy of her reporting? What did she do that [...]
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