Creative Writing
Learn time-tested strategies to turn your memories into compelling stories! Each week, we’ll focus on a different way to help you find your voice and shape your experiences on the page:
1. Ask yourself the right questions.
2. Start with the word “when” to bring scenes to life.
3. Discover what dialogue can do for your story.
4. Balance description and reflection.
5. Understand why your story matters.
6. Learn the difference between an anecdote and a story.
Through in-class writing exercises, take-home assignments, and sharing your work you’ll gain new confidence when writing about your life.
#67221, Online Live, 1/22-2/26, Thursday, 1-3 PM Instructor: Kate Stover
Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a process pioneered by Dr. James Birren that is based on personal writing on life themes and sharing those stories in a supportive small group. By using the Guided Autobiography method, you will do more than start writing down your memories—you will gain insights into how the events of your life have contributed to the person you are today—and may become tomorrow. People who undertake Dr. Birren’s Guided Autobiography process join an international movement; there are over 600 instructors around the world in a connected community.
#64872, Truax-Protective Services Building, 2/19-3/19, Thursday, 4:30-6:30 PM Instructor: Sarah White
Level up your fiction and receive feedback on your work! Each week, we’ll dive into essential elements of fiction, including character, narrative voice, dialogue, point of view, and conflict/stakes. Class time will include sample readings, discussion, and writing prompts to spark new ideas and practice what you’ve learned. Starting on week four, we’ll begin workshopping and critiquing each other’s stories, with instructor guidance on how to give constructive, encouraging feedback. We’ll end our time together with tips for revising your work and guidance on how to submit to literary magazines.
#67222, Online Live, 3/5-4/30, Thursday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Lindy Biller
Discover your creative voice in this asynchronous online workshop for writers of all levels! Explore the possibilities of writing poetry, fiction, drama, screenplay, and nonfiction through weekly reading and writing assignments. This is an individualized course designed to meet the needs of the beginning through advanced writer. In this class students will give and receive constructive feedback in a positive online discussion environment. No matter where you are in your writing journey, you have something to learn and something to teach.
#64594, Online, 3/23-5/11, Instructor: Morgan Harlow
April is National Poetry Month, so why not have an intensive poetry adventure? In this class you will receive a daily poetry prompt from the instructor to fuel your creativity. Each week the class will meet to share the successes and challenges of writing every day. You will also have the opportunity to have your pieces workshopped. Students will be guided in putting their work into a chapbook, so your poetry adventure will be with you forever. No previous writing experience necessary.
#67208, Online Live, 4/2-5/7, Thursday, 12-1 PM Instructor: Amelia Fontella
In this workshop, participants go deeper into the Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a process pioneered by Dr. James Birren. In "Going Deeper with Guided Autobiography," we cover more of GAB's nine themes: healthy/body, gender identity, experiences/ideas about death, and spiritual life and values. Students are in complete control of what they write and share; no one is pressured to read more than they are comfortable sharing with the group. The GAB method places more emphasis on self-development than writing craft. Participants should have completed “Introduction to Guided Autobiography” or a comparable workshop.
#64874, Truax-Protective Services Building, 4/9-5/7, Thursday, 4:30-6:30 PM Instructor: Sarah White
In this course, we will discuss strategies for writing and polishing a picture book manuscript for children. There will also be an opportunity to workshop your manuscript and submit it for a professional critique from the instructor. By the end of the course, you will gain knowledge on next steps for either submitting to the publishing industry or for self-publication.
Future offerings posted here
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