Writing Humor & Satire
Do you want to hone your funny bone? In this humor writing seminar, you will learn how to form a strong comedic point of view in the style of McSweeney’s,…
Read MoreRuthless, Radical Revision for Novelists
Ernest Hemmingway has said “The only kind of writing is rewriting,” and Michael Crichton noted “Books aren’t written – they’re rewritten.” Nearly every professional writer has their own version of…
Read MoreUtopian Fiction
Where dystopian fiction explores just how bad the world can get, it’s often ignored sibling, utopian fiction, imagines new vistas for social, ecological, political, and economic possibility. We will look at…
Read MoreRealism, Research & World-Building: How to Start a Historical Novel
We’ll start by discussing historical fiction, what it is, and what readers expect from the genre. Then, we’ll review research tips and strategies and how to find story inspiration from real-life…
Read MoreBuilding Better, Fresher Monsters
Strong, believable characters are the backbone of a good story, and horror is no exception. In this workshop, we’ll build our own better monsters by discussing their backstories, their motivations,…
Read MoreMoments of Change: Capturing Turning Points in Memoir
According to Joan Didion, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Memoir distills lived experience into meaning, but how do we recognize the moments that matter? In this workshop,…
Read MoreWriting Weird Worlds
Is that a hamster knocking at the door? Is that very old man with enormous wings angelic or just a nuisance? What will happen if your wife removes that ribbon…
Read MoreMaking a Genre Smoothie
Genre mashups are a hot trend in publishing, but crafting a novel that sits comfortably on two or more shelves is easier said than done. Every genre has specific expectations…
Read MoreTime is on your Side
Time is on your Side: Most novels take place over a significant span of time, but letting your reader know how much time has passed between scenes can be tricky, whether…
Read MoreA Fresh Take on Metaphors in Prose
Take this workshop to attempt the impossible: defining and operationalizing a good metaphor. In this class, we’ll practice generating metaphors by exploring specific patterns of word association. We’ll reverse-engineer sample…
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