The Salvation of Science Fiction: Imaginary Technology
Writing in 1978 amid fears of nuclear apocalypse, Isaac Asimov wrote, “The core of science fiction has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.” Salvation. This is a compelling description of a popular genre pioneered in interwar pulpwood magazines, a mass medium traditionally allied with the same technological acceleration…
Read MoreHow to Write a Novel (and Get it Published)
A practical 15-point plan that demystifies and deconstructs novel-writing — 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. We’ll discuss how to tap into your subconscious and life experiences to transform them into a book-length…
Read MoreWriting About Family
Family. What word could be more evocative when thinking about writing memoir? And what better timing for a class like this than sandwiched between so many holidays when our interactions with family are often more intensely fraught? Our sense of family is inextricably linked to our sense of home, both of which are foundational to…
Read MoreHow to Self-Publish Your Book
You’ve written a great book, but the query letter/literary agent/publisher game isn’t your cup of tea. Have you considered self-publishing? With print-on-demand, it’s easier than ever to get your book into print—and e-books are even easier! From platform choice to formatting and cover design, this workshop will answer your questions and walk you through the…
Read MoreChiaroscuro: The Poetry of Memory
Our lives and our sense of life are made up of what we remember of lived experience. Though we may not be conscious of the effort, we spend our lives constructing a library of recollections that chronicle what we’ve learned to love, fear, crave, and despise. We imagine the future—for better and for worse—in terms…
Read MoreFive Amazing Ways to Improve Your Writing
Most writers, both new and experienced, have heard advice such as: “Write in the active voice; show don’t tell; don’t filter experiences; don’t use vague words.” Excellent wisdom, but how do you implement these ideas? What one word can you search for that highlights major improvement opportunities? What simple principle guarantees you’ll write in active…
Read MorePoetry of Bliss
Cheap thrills, escape, the sense of participating (without really participating); courage: willful financial, psychological or physical self-flagellation embarked upon by those who’ve been sold some hollow version of a quest; confusion, the medicine show, spending more than one can afford on snake oil, or a situation in which your tormentors come with smiles and trays…
Read MorePoetry 2
Returning students and new members with poetry writing experience will actively write and revise original poems, focusing on elements of craft and analyzing select poems by our best poets that effectively model those elements. All group members will have the opportunity to submit material for the workshop. Your instructor will make every effort to tailor…
Read MoreCreating Believable Dialogue in Fiction
This seminar is designed for writers who want to sharpen their ability to write engaging and realistic dialogue. The class begins with examples of dialogue from various writers such as Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Jamaica Kinkaid, Toni Morrison, Kelly Link, and Lorri Moor. After some examination and discussion, students will work on prompts and write…
Read MoreScreenwriting 1
This course is designed as both an introduction for students who are new to screenwriting, and as continuity for those who have already started writing a screenplay and wish to further develop their scripts. No matter your level of experience, everyone will benefit from the groups’ members sharing their experiences they encounter. Class activities will…
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