In this workshop, you can explore multiple genres: fiction, creative nonfiction, and/or poetry. We’ll get started with creative exercises, prompts, and readings, and have ample time to share and comment on each other’s work. You can learn a new genre or sharpen your skills while working on something you are already writing. Come hone your unique writing voice in a creative and fun atmosphere. *Student's parent or legal guardian must complete Student Release in order to participate in the class.…

Whether you’re brand new to poetry or just need a refresher on the craft of writing poems, this class will focus on the fundamentals of what makes a great poem. With a strong emphasis on how to read a poem as a writer, this class mixes both traditional and formal poetry with modern contemporary examples and covers the basics of form and language. This class will help you build your toolbox of literary devices to begin crafting poems on your…

The Advanced Fiction Workshop continues with returning members, writers from The Fiction Workshop level, and new members with advanced fiction workshop experience. Having learned and refined the essential craft elements of fiction writing, it is time to actively write and revise our original short stories and chapters of novels. We will continue to master the art of constructive critique in our workshop, offering thoughtful suggestions that will lead to meaningful revision of our work. All members of the group will…

The Advanced Poetry Workshop is an expansion of the principles and techniques learned in the Poetry Workshop. It is open to students who have completed previous workshop-level classes at The Muse or those who have an extensive workshop or graduate-level experience. This class focuses on writing, criticism, and the exploration of contemporary poetic discourse. Students at this level are writing poetry with an increased focus on creating an individual voice and emotional richness. Students will be expected to submit regularly…

We all have stories to tell, whether we’ve never written anything before, or we’re dusting off the old writing muscles and getting back in the game. This class is a foundational course to get started or begin writing fiction again. We will learn and explore all of the essential fundamentals of the craft of fiction writing. We will discover and begin to understand how to write an active scene, define a character, and move your story from A to B,…

The Fiction Studio continues with returning members, writers from the Advanced Fiction Workshop, and new members with professional fiction workshop experience. We will actively write and revise original short stories and chapters of novels as well as consider various aspects of the creative and professional life of the fiction writer. All members of the group will have the opportunity to submit material for the workshop, with at least two to three opportunities to be critiqued during the session. New members…

From the meet-cute to the crucial HEA (or happily ever after), a well-crafted romance is a joy to read and to write. The Advanced Romance Workshop is for experienced romance writers working on a romance manuscript (or women’s fiction with a romance arc). We’ll focus on reading and providing feedback for our peers. Please note: This class is an online class. To participate, students must have a stable internet connection with a computer or device with a webcam and microphone.

This workshop will focus on the all-important revision process in screenwriting, with members sharing the successes and difficulties encountered in the scripting process for feature-length, short, or TV scripts. You will have at least three opportunities to turn in pages of a screenplay for group review, workshop, and discussion—all in an atmosphere of mutual exploration and understanding. This class is open to continuing members as well as students who have either taken the Introduction to Screenwriting class, completed an early…

Comics are a magical blend of visuals and writing. Come engage this incredible medium--whether you draw or not! We'll cover comics from the ground up--from scripting the story to getting it out into the world. Topics include character design, the relationship between a writer and an artist, layout, and so much more. The course will comprise of fun exercises and lecture, along with some case studies and games to mix it up. No experience required. Let's make comics! Please note:…

Returning members, new writers from Introduction to Creative Nonfiction & Memoir, and new members with CNF writing experience will actively write and workshop original work while taking a deeper look at the essential craft elements of writing that polishes the truth. We will learn the power of the first person and the limitations & benefits of writing in the third, practice and refine research and memory habits and techniques, continue to learn how to give and take constructive critique, and…