Structuring In Fantasy
Let me help plan your castle onslaught. Fantasy as a genre continues to broaden in scope and popularity. Romantasy, grimdark, fable, and s-f top both best seller lists and streaming services. From cozy novellas and epics spanning multiple volumes to movies and television, speculative fictions provide us with an increasingly necessary escapism and cultural critique. Writing these works have their own unique challenges, the primary of which has to be the struggle between the comfort of a recognizable set of tropes and the thrilling novelty of a fresh approach. I believe structure helps a writer avoid the pitfalls of hackneyed devices while also acting as a prompt when feeling uninspired or just bogged down.
Voice and Tone in Fiction
In this workshop, we will discuss voice and tone in the written word, and how we can shape them to convey our stories more effectively. Voice and tone, though similar, are not interchangeable, and one of the goals of this workshop is to be able to distinguish between the two in order to employ them in our writing. By getting a better grasp of these two tools, participants should be able to develop their own authentic writing style.
World building
What is worldbuilding and why is it important for fiction writers?
Worldbuilding is a tool normally associated with speculative fiction like The Lord of the Rings or Dune, but the practice of worldbuilding is useful for any type of fiction. It is the process of creating a believable and engaging fictional setting, including its history, geography, culture, and society, to immerse readers in a unique and coherent environment. In this workshop, we will discuss different elements of worldbuilding and how to apply them to your own fiction, regardless of genre.
When Pictures Speak
Writing Poetry from Your Photo Stream
Personal photos are an ideal inspiration for writing powerful poems. Our photo streams capture what we care about and hope to preserve, what moves and mystifies us, the people, places, and experiences that bring meaning into our lives. We’ll explore your personal photos as if they are works of art, prompting drafts of poems. We’ll focus on poetry craft elements including metaphor, persona, personification, imagery, symbol, music and voice, as well as revision. Bring 2-3 personal photos you want to explore. New and experienced writers are welcome.
OFFERING A PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP FOR ALL LEVELS
TELL A STORY THROUGH “DRAMATIC WRITING “
DEVELOP A STORY THAT COULD BECOME A SHORT PLAY
CHALLENGE A PLAY ALREADY IN-THE-WORKS
Have you ever read a poem that makes the air tingle and you wonder how the writer did it? One way is through the power of the deep voice. In this workshop, you will learn how to write through the discovery of your inner voice—that unique person that lives in the language of your speech. Whether you’re writing poetry, stories, flash, or memoirs, find out how to write true to your own voice and style, true to your own vision and point of view, and true to your own life experience. The Method Writing techniques presented in this workshop were developed by award-winning Los Angeles poet Jack Grapes who has taught them to thousands of writers. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that Grapes’ work “cuts to the bone of basic human truth without the pretense that characterizes much of what passes for contemporary poetry.” Go beyond the literary style that characterizes your writing and take your reader’s breath away. Learn to write from the deep voice. Be authentic.
