Intensives, Deep Dives, and Crash Courses
Breaking the News w/Paul (Oct 23)
So You Want to Write a Memoir w/Marya (Oct 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19)
The Self-Edit Package w/Holly (Nov 4, 11, 16) (each can be a stand-alone)
Braid It! Weaving as Writing w/Holly (Nov 6)
Poetry Without Borders w/Paul (Nov 13, 20, Dec 4, 11) (each can be a stand-alone)
Do the Damn Thing! w/Marya (Nov 24, Dec 1, 8, 15)
You’ve got a true story to tell, and you think ‘well, I guess I should write a memoir.’ But there are a host of forms that true stories can take. This class takes an expansive look at the wide array of approaches to and possibilities for personal narrative and the first-person voice. Through readings, generative writing, and discussion, participants will have the opportunity to explore a range of personal narrative genres and forms, clarify their sense of audience, purpose, and goals, and chart a well-designed course to telling that story in the form that fits.
Wednesdays, 4–6 pm PT / 7–9 pm ET
10/15, 10/22, 10,29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
Explore braided essays and stories—what makes them work, how to weave them in our own voice and style, and how they allow us write what, as Isabelle Allende says we must, “what must not be forgotten. We braid our own!
US: Wednesday, 11/6, 3–6 pm PDT / 6–9 pm EDT / 8–11 am (Thursday) AEST
w/Holly Starley
As writers, we have an idea, a draft, a story. Fantastic! What next? “Get the Bones Right” introduces a key development strategy. “Map Your Curiosity” shares a tool I’ve applied to every developmental editing project I’ve worked on. “Be Concise” focuses on shaving—a skill (and a joy) that brings the best of our work into stark relief. Practice shaping starts into polished works.
Take all three or take any as a stand-alone. (Click on the titles above to register for a stand-alone.)
Tuesdays 3–6 pm PT / 6–9 pm ET (Wednesdays, 7–10 am AWST / 10 am–1 pm AEDT / 12–3 pm NZDT)
11/4 (Bones), 11/11 (Curiosity), 11/16 (Concise)
Everybody has a great idea. But most of us could use some help creating a strategy for turning it into a finished work. Through real-time exercises, discussion, time management tips, and practice in strategically planning large- and small-scale artistic projects, this course guides participants in developing an effective, achievable strategy for completing their creative work.
Mondays, 2–4 pm PDT / 5–7 pm EDT
11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15
Sometimes, to get over the news, we have to break the news ourselves. In this generative writing workshop, we will review the more bizarre aspects of recent current events, and from there, develop writing exercises that help as chroniclers of our times to better speak back to, or for the times.
Each intensive can be taken alone. And each will be different. So join either or both. (Just select 2 at checkout for both.)
Thursday, 10/23, 5:30–7 PM PST
w/Holly Starley
As writers, we have an idea, a draft, a story. Fantastic! What next? “Get the Bones Right” introduces a key development strategy. “Map Your Curiosity” shares a tool I’ve applied to every developmental editing project I’ve worked on. “Be Concise” focuses on shaving—a skill (and a joy) that brings the best of our work into stark relief. Practice shaping starts into polished works.
Take all three or take any as a stand-alone. (Click on the titles above to register for a stand-alone.)
Tuesdays 3–6 pm PT / 6–9 pm ET (Wednesdays, 7–10 am AWST / 10 am–1 pm AEDT / 12–3 pm NZDT)
11/4 (Bones), 11/11 (Curiosity), 11/16 (Concise)
Poetry Without Borders serves as an introduction to both old school and modern forms of poetry, as students practice building a modest portfolio around form structure but with an eye towards "breaking the rules" as well, so newly written works maintain a creative and autonomous edge, while still being accessible. Open to all poetry genres including narrative, lyric, langpo and experimental.
Take all four or register for each (unique) session as a stand-alone. (To register for a single session, just click on the date below.)
Thursdays, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm EST
