Characters are the lifeblood of any work of fiction, but only in speculative fiction are they not always human. This workshop will explore what it takes to develop complex, interesting characters within a speculative context. How can a character from another world still be relatable to readers? How does the world they come from tie into character creation? What makes an alien truly alien? In this workshop, we'll explore all these questions and more through discussion, examples, and imaginative writing…

In recent years, fanfiction--that is, unofficial stories about the characters and worlds from popular media--has exploded into the mainstream. More and more professional writers are now coming out as fanfic writers too, many published novels have their origins as fanfiction works, and some have even argued that certain literary classics, such as Paradise Lost, are really fanfiction at heart. The boom in popularity reveals what fiction writers have known for a long time: fanfiction is an immense source of inspiration…

\When a song lyric hits you, it can take you back in time. In that mystical blend of melody and carefully crafted imagery, we can, for a time, be transported somewhere else. In Songwriting 2, we’ll bridge the gap between the tune and the lilt of the line, while finding our own, unique narrative voices. We will write 4 original songs during the class and workshop  them during weeks 3-6. Students will be invited to perform their work at a…

“I can always think of great situations, but how do I turn them into a story?” We all have a collection of ideas and even notes toward a story that somehow never come to fruition. We recognize compelling moments when we see them: a homeless person treated callously by a passerby; a child lost on a crowded street and reaching out to the wrong stranger; a spaceship landing in a suburban neighborhood which can only be seen by one family.…

In this interactive seminar, we'll start by writing your grammar and punctuation questions on the whiteboard, and then explore them together using simple exercises, examples, and tips. In the last half of our session, we'll take a look at samples from your own writing and find ways to make your prose shine more brightly, unencumbered by common grammar and punctuation errors--or misconceptions--that blur the meaning of your story. (Who, whom) do you think should take this workshop? During a dinner…

Explore calligraphy, the art of elegant handwriting. Students will be introduced to italic letterforms using square-nibbed felt tip pens as writing tools. This seminar will provide a foundation for developing your own personal style of italic handwriting. A materials list and suggested places to purchase materials will be provided by the teacher.

Is Rap poetry? Well yes / I confess / with no jest / the answer is yes / but I digress! Explore the poetry of rap music in examples from legendary rappers like Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, Andre 3000, and Eminem. Examine the use of poetic devices such as meter, metaphor, and in particular, rhyme. Students will use color-coded “rhyme maps” of rap lyrics to learn the major rhyme styles: end rhyme, slant rhyme, internal rhyme, and the very intricate…

Mandalas have been used throughout history as a tool for self-reflection, creativity, connection, meditation and self-exploration. In this class we will learn to set intentions, play with design and color, we will learn how to be expressive and tap into our own sub-conscious for peace and grounding. It can assist the writer before ever putting pen to page! Come and spend a few hours learning the art of the Mandala with the Zentangle process (a mindful drawing technique). You will…

Let’s face it. Writing from the first person is a heck of a lot of fun. Akin to the dramatic monologue, to stand-up comedy, to one-person shows (monodramas), it can lead writers into markets they might not have considered. The ”I” sees all. Learning to write from this point of view is not just a matter of using a given pronoun. In this seminar, you will learn how to: choose your revelatory character; manipulate the distances the “I” creates between…