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Coronavirus Update
We are carefully continuing to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation here in Hampton Roads and the nation as a whole, and will follow guidelines given by local health officials. The health and safety of our Muse family is our utmost concern.
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As of now, there will be no big changes in our regular operations, with most classes and events occurring as scheduled, especially considering our classes are small.
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We also understand that at times like these it can be comforting to find strength in community and creativity.
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Though the CDC recommends postponing large gatherings with 200 or more people, please be aware that we may have to postpone or cancel specific events or classes for various reasons, including both precaution and other non-related reasons. If we do, the event or class listing on our website will indicate the delay, and events listings on Facebook will be changed. In addition, staff or teachers will notify students. We are also researching possible technological accommodations.
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Please keep this important information in mind:
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- If you are ill (or feel like you are getting ill), please don’t come to class, an event, or to The Muse’s open hours. We are relaxing our refund policy and will be happy to speak with you if you are ill and cannot attend a class that you paid for.
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds immediately upon arrival to The Muse. Here’s a great video on proper handwashing.
- When you are here, don’t shake hands or hug. Cover your mouth in the crook of your elbow if you cough or sneeze.
- Disinfectant wipes are available throughout our center. Please feel free to wipe the surfaces that you touch.
- We are working on getting hand sanitizer. Please feel free to bring your own for your personal use. If you have any extra, we would appreciate the donation (we are also happy to reimburse you).
- Tissues are also available in each classroom.
- We will continue to keep all surfaces disinfected.
- We ask that everyone who comes to our center or to any off-site events please follow the advice of the CDC.
- In addition, the Norfolk city webpage will contain valuable updates.
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This Week's Classes & Seminars
All About Author Platforms and Social Media
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Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Building a platform and becoming familiar with social media is an important part of an author’s career. This workshop will cover: (1) what is an author platform and do you need one anyway? (2) online components of a platform: website, newsletter, blogs, and social media presence; (3) main social media sites useful to authors, with a special focus on Facebook and Twitter, and (4) ten signs of a successful platform... More information. Instructor: Sylvia Liu. Open to: all.
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Writing The Weird
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Saturday, March 14, 1-3:30 p.m.
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In this seminar, we will look at making the most out of what’s on the page... Have I entertained every possibility? Am I willing to get a little weird to make this story pop...
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The Nuts and Bolts of Scrivener
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Saturday, March 14, 1-3:30 p.m.
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Scrivener is a streamlined and user friendly word processor that offers more to the writer than Microsoft Word or Mac Pages ever could. You can organize your books, chapters, short stories, scenes, character sheets, setting descriptions, outlines, and anything else you can think of all in one easy-to-access document... To use the program to its full capacity, new users to the program need to know where to start... More information. Instructor: Chris De Matteo. Open to: all.
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Unlock your Creative Voice with Guided Imagery and Music
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Saturday, March 14, 1-3:30 p.m.
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Guided Imagery and Music... allows you to access your dream state and let go of barriers such as stress and fear so you can tap into your creative power... Come experience your own unique journey into your imagination. Even a single image can help to crystallize a complex issue, unblocking stuck emotions and freeing you to create what you want to create... More information. Instructor: Sheila Sheppard. Open to: all.
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How to Write Comics & Graphic Novels
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4 Thursdays, beginning March 12, 7-9:30 p.m.
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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... More information. Instructor: Kristin Mehaffey. Open to: all.
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Visual Journaling Workshop: Exploring the Imagination
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3 Sundays, beginning March 15, 1-3:30 p.m.
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If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this seminar will help writers tap into a different type of creativity. We will take a break from structured writing, and combine words with visual elements. We will paint, draw, write, and collage to explore our stream of consciousness and talk about how this can be incorporated in our own writing practice... More information. Instructor: Christine Rucker. Open to: all.
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Looking Ahead...
Sleuthing and Detective Work
How to Understand and Use Aesthetic Distance
Organizing for Creative People
How to Self-Publish Your Book
A Punctuation Refresher
Speak for the Trees: Ecopoetics
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Events Spotlight
The Muse Neighborhood Jam
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Friday, March 13, 7-10:00 p.m. at The Muse Writers Center
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Join us for an evening where everyone is welcome to make music, sing, read, laugh, or just hang out and listen... More information.
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Write-in at Slover
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Saturday, March 14, 2:30-4 p.m. at Slover Library
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Join other writers in a place with no pressure, no critiquing, and no deadlines. Just a place for writing inspiration and practice... This month's teacher: Karrie Loomis McDaniels. More information.
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Become a Member
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We invite you to become an annual Sustaining Member of The Muse Writers Center: With your support, we are able to strengthen our programs and outreach. All members will receive a discount on Muse classes, discounts at local businesses, and their own author page on this website. Library check-out privileges will begin in the spring of 2020, and for those joining at higher levels, thank you gifts will also be distributed beginning in the spring of 2020.
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Join The Writers Reservoir on Facebook
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Visit www.facebook.com/groups/WritersReservoir and connect with other writers and share articles, essays and personal experiences about being a writer in the world today as well as information about places to submit, contests, conferences, and more. The Writers Reservoir is more than a writers’ resource, it is a writers’ community! It is a place where writers can share, learn, connect and find that often elusive creative spark. The Writers Reservoir is an open Facebook group. All writers are welcome to join and send invitations to join.
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The Muse Writers Center is open to the public on Mondays: 12:30-7 p.m., Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Wednesdays: 12:30-5 p.m., & Thursdays, 12:30-7 p.m. Plan your visit.
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The Muse Writers Center’s projects, classes, and events are made possible in part through sponsorship by the City of Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Queen of Virginia Skill & Entertainment, the Business Consortium for Arts Support, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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