If you would like to become a lifetime member of the Writing Salon (in order to receive the discounted rate on any class), simply add your $50 membership purchase to the shopping cart (via the button below), just as you would add a class, and then “Continue Shopping,” adding as many classes to the cart as you like. Just be sure to select the member rate for each class after you add it to your shopping cart.
You have three options to choose from: 1) $110 for any full-day workshop (or $95.00 for members), 2) $245 for a 5-week class (or $215.00 for members), or 3) $395 for a 9-week class or 6-month class (or $365.00 for members).
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Wednesdays, May 29-June 26 (5 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $215 members/$245 others San Francisco Testimonials for Patricia
Note: You might also want to check out Patricia’s 1-day workshop: Writing the 10-Minute Play, which would be a great “warm-up” class to take prior to this one.
“They are called ‘plays’ so writing them should be kind of fun. Plus, every single writing job I have landed: film, television no matter what, came out of writing for the theater,” says instructor Patricia Cotter. “It’s one of the few mediums where the writer is in charge of the story; it’s your vision and your voice.
Okay, true story: A couple of years ago I wrote a one act play which was produced in a tiny seventy seven seat black box theater. One night Dustin Hoffman happened to come to the show. He saw it, responded to the writing and hired me to write a film with him. That experience reinforced the belief that theater is the best showcase for a new voice. Getting your play in front of an audience is completely attainable – write a play, rent a room and invite people. It really is that easy. Okay, well you do actually have to write your play…but I can help with that.”
This workshop is designed to give writers an introduction to the tools and the support they need to begin writing a new play, or dust off an old one and give it new life.
Thursdays, May 30-June 27 (5 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $215 members/$245 others Berkeley Testimonials for Elaine
Note: Take this class together with the 5-week Berkeley “Raw Writing” class (10 weeks total) for the same price as a 9-week class. To get this discount, you must sign up for the special “Combo” option HERE.
“Everyone is talented, original and has something important to say,” states Brenda Ueland at the beginning of her celebrated book, If You Want to Write.
“I happen to agree with Ueland,” says instructor Elaine Beale. “And when I teach at The Writing Salon, I see her assertion proved again and again. Students write such beautiful and amazing pieces. And most of them never considered themselves writers before. But by simply making the time to write and to learn about the craft they find that they are, in fact, talented and have something original and important to say.”
This class is designed to provide a taster of the various writing genres–fiction, nonfiction, personal essay, memoir, poetry–giving you a chance to try them out, find out what speaks to you and what makes each of them work.
Saturdays, June 1-29 (5 weeks) 10:30 am-1 pm $215 members/$245 others Berkeley Testimonials for Elaine
There’s a lot of fun to be had in creating writing, but developing your writing skills also requires learning about craft. This class is ideal for those who’ve taken an introductory class in creative writing and want to learn more. It’s also a great place for folks who’ve so far focused only on one genre.
“We’ll use the various genres to focus on specific skills,” says instructor Elaine Beale. “We’ll look at language and imagery through the lens of poetry. We’ll focus on voice via memoir. We’ll discuss character development by looking at short fiction. And we’ll examine dialogue and story structure through the lens of the novel and screenplay.
“The beauty is that all these skills are critical to a writer no matter what his or her genre. It will help everyone to further develop their craft.”
Saturdays, June 1st-29th (5 weeks) 2-4:30 pm $215 members/$245 others Berkeley
Has anyone ever told you that you’re funny and that “You should write that stuff down?” No? Then maybe you shouldn’t take this class. But if the answer is “Yes,” or you’re convinced you’re surrounded by humorless numbskulls who wouldn’t recognize a punch line if it hit them in the ‘nads, then come on down!
In this class you’ll learn how to come up with funny premises “on demand,” where to get humorous ideas (I have the secret email address), how to inject humor in “serious” pieces, a half-dozen formulas for writing jokes, and how to apply these tools whether you’re writing for a magazine, blog, or making a YouTube video.
5 Mondays, June 3-July 1, 7-9:30 p.m. $215 members/$245 others San Francisco
Special “Combo” Deal:Take this class together with the SF “Intro to Fiction” class, and get both classes (10 weeks total, for the discounted price of one 9-week class). Discount applies only if you choose the“Combo“ option when you register.
You want to write a novel, or you are writing a novel, so come to this workshop where you’ll meet other people who are doing what you’re doing, or want to do. “We’ll talk about your idea – how to make sure it has enough weight to carry a novel,” say Karen Bjorneby. “We’ll talk about your character and make sure she’s so compelling we all can’t wait to find out what she’ll do next. Read the rest of this entry »
Sundays, June 2nd-30th (5 weeks) 2-4:30 p.m. $215 members/$245 non-members Berkeley
Starting a novel is a historical source of headache for budding writers. Where do you begin? What constitutes a good idea? What strategies should you keep in mind when you start clicking away?
“First you want to set up the beginning — the DNA — of your novel,” says instructor Samuel Sattin. “Coding the basic structure, plot, and worldview will allow your pages to live and breathe. The beginning always sets the tone, pace, and mood for what will follow.
In this class, Sam will show you how to tackle some of the common obstacles to beginning—from setting up the rules of your world to finding characters of enough substance and weight to carry your narrative. You’ll also work on plot development, and discuss the importance of raising the stakes.
Sundays, July 14-Aug. 11 (5 weeks) 2-4:30 p.m. Berkeley $215 members/$245 others Testimonials for Junse
“We writers too often need others to tell us that our writing is good,” says instructor Junse Kim. “And this is where it all goes horribly wrong.
We become impatient for praise, obsessed with completing a story before learning the basic skills we need to write it. It’s the equivalent of, say, an aspiring carpenter who has committed to building a beautiful house, yet doesn’t know how to hammer in a nail or saw a piece of wood.”
Thursdays, May 2-June 27 (9 weeks) 7-9:30 p.m. $365 members/$395 others San Francisco Testimonials for Julie
This workshop is intended for people who want to jump start their poetry practice and to keep the engine oiled. You’ll do plenty of writing and reading, and have lively discussions about both the craft and the process of poetry. The weekly homework assignments (workshopped the following week) are designed to provide fresh angles of approach that can suprise, even startle, both the writer and his/her readers. “We all get stuck in ruts,” Julie says, “and the class offers ways of digging ourselves out, whether we use these strategies to simply get started at writing or to revise a particularly challenging poem.”
Nine Wednesdays, May 1-June 26, 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 others Berkeley Testimonials for Alison
This class will help you plunge into the personal themes that make your real life stories uniquely yours. For the first four weeks, instructor Alison Luterman will lead carefully crafted writing exercises designed to elicit the undertones and overtones that give events resonance and elevate anecdotes into the realm of art. The latter weeks will be dedicated to refining and then workshopping the pieces you have begun, bringing them to the next level of craft.
Saturday May 11th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $95 members/$110 others San Francisco
Can you really tell a story about an unhappy jellybean? Or a worm that dreams of becoming a hummingbird? Or a little kid who’d rather watch gourmet cooking shows than Sesame Street? What about language? Should you give rhyming a try—or not? Maybe it’s time to check in with a pro to find out if you’re: 1) on the right path, and 2) heading in the right direction.
Whether you’re at the brainstorming stage or already working on a manuscript, this intensive workshop will provide you with the perfect booster shot. You’ll get instant advice on how to strengthen your concept or your draft. “We’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work,” says instructor Shirin Yim Bridges. “We’ll talk about structure, plot, and characters. Everyone will get to ask questions, share, and benefit from the feedback and support of their classmates—and from me, a working children’s author, editor and publisher.”
Saturday May 11th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $95 members/$110 others Berkeley
Poet Stanley Kunitz wrote: “Poems would be easy if our heads weren’t so full of the day’s clatter. The task is to get through to the other side, where we can hear the deep rhythms that connect us with the stars and the tides.”
This workshop honors all those inklings, desires, and resolutions to get through to the other side and write new poems. “I meet so many people who long to express themselves artistically but don’t feel they have time or space,” says instructor Kathleen McClung. “Well, now’s the time, and the Writing Salon is definitely a comfortable, supportive space.
“In our day together we’ll read and talk about an array of accessible, provocative poems by fine writers including current poet laureates Kathleen Flenniken, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Natasha Trethewey, and we’ll do some whimsical, illuminating writing exercises to bypass our inner critics and experiment with themes and tones, phrases and rhythms. We’ll listen closely and encouragingly to each other’s voices. By the end of the day we’ll have shaped a handful of budding poems and sharpened our vision for future writing projects.
Saturday May 4th, 10 am-4 pm San Francisco $95 members/$110 others Testimonials for Lisa
Do you love to travel? Keep a travel journal? Why not take the next step and turn your daily scribbles into well-crafted, memorable narratives that entice readers, family, and friends? You can do this by learning two things: 1) how to improve your storytelling abilities, and 2) how to market your work.
Instructor Lisa Alpine’s thirty-year journey as a travel writer has taken her down an ever-evolving path. She went from writing conventional destination pieces for the Sunday travel sections in regional newspapers, to her own syndicated column in the Pacific Sun, and then into the world of writing for special interest magazines, ezines, blogs, anthologies and writing contests/awards.
In this workshop she’ll share her wealth of experience on how to bring your travel stories to life and get them out into the world. For example, she’ll show you how personal travel essays are publishable even if they don’t fit the structure of conventional travel pieces. “We’ll also discuss ways to generate other travel-related sources of income, such as writing press releases and doing guidebook research,” says Lisa. “Whether you’re writing about your neighborhood or rafting down the Zambezi, you can develop specialty travel angles that open up additional publishing avenues —and still pay decently!”
In-class writing exercises and discussion will focus on the following:
Saturday April 13th, 10 am to 4 pm $95 members/$110 others San Francisco Testimonials for Jane
ATTENTION: THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED.
“You want to write but you can’t. You don’t. You won’t. Because?
“Don’t bother answering that question,” says Jane Underwood. “I’ve already heard your answer(s) a million times, from other writers and/or aspiring writers. I’ve heard the answer(s) from myself as well. We can all be wildly creative with our ‘why I can’t’ answers (excuses). So why not take that creativity and apply it to some actual writing? What a concept! Woohoo!
“Just imagine: If you could take all (or even part) of the energy that you put into coming up with reasons for not writing, you’d be Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. Seriously. You’d be writing up a storm. Yup. You’d be writing, which is what writers do.
Six Sundays (monthly meetings: May 5, June 2, June 30, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 ) plus online interaction between meeting, 2:30-5 pm $365 members/$395 others San Francisco Testimonials for Kathleen
ATTENTION: THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED
Prerequisite: Kathleen’s 5-week Memoir Writing class or Alison Luterman’s 9-week Write from Real Life class (or an equivalent class, taken elsewhere)
Have you embarked on the writing of memoir and find you need some guidance and encouragement? Are you wondering about ways to craft a memoir that is indeed shapely, intense, fascinating…and publishable? “The artful memoir isn’t easy to knock off,” says Kathleen McClung. “We need skill and nuance in narrating and musing on past events and feelings to make a cohesive whole. Memoirs that matter, that truly move readers, call for soul-searching and for mastery of essential literary elements—an engaging voice, vivid scenes and characters, a careful blend of action and reflection, a unifying thread/theme.”
Thursdays, April 18-May 23 (5 weeks, skip May 16) 7-9:30 pm $215 members/$245 others Berkeley Testimonials for Ben
Note: Take this class together with the Berkeley “Intro to Creative Writing” class (10 weeks total) for the same price as a 9-week class. To get this discount, you must sign up for the special “Combo” option HERE.
When John Keats writes, “there is a joy in footing slow across a silent plain,” I can’t help but think of that plain as the imagination itself, a kind of dreamland, as yet untapped and untracked. Now if you’re a writer, you know that place well enough to understand it is fragile, susceptible to dissolution at the faintest breath. How many times have you allowed harsh criticisms and punitive laws into that dreamland? How many times have you ruined a journey before you even began writing?
Admit it. Countless times. And yes, I’ll join in the chorus. But as writers we have to catch ourselves and remember how awesome our imaginations are—how fresh, wild, and inviting!
Thursdays, April 18-June 27 (skip May 16), 7-9:30 pm (10 weeks for the price of 9) $365 members/$395 others Berkeley
First five weeks will be “Raw Writing” with Ben Jackson; second five weeks will be “Intro to Creative Writing” with Elaine Beale. To get the discount price, you must choose this “Combo” option via the Add to Cart button below. If you sign up for Raw Writing separately, attend it, and then decide to take Intro to Creative Writing, that’s fine — you just won’t get the discount.
Saturday, April 20th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Berkeley $95 members/$110 non-members
Characters are the flesh and bones of fiction. A writer might have a vivid setting, an intriguing plot, and beautifully crafted sentences. But without fully developed characters a story never comes alive.
The best fiction is inhabited by distinctive and complex characters. “Think of Holden Caufield in Catcher in the Rye, Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Sethe in Beloved, or Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” says Elaine Beale. “These characters captivate us. We see them, hear them speak, and feel compelled to keep reading. Good fiction also requires characters that develop and change over the course of a short story or a novel. But their changes must be convincing, otherwise the story just doesn’t work.”
Saturday, April 20th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $95 members/$110 others San Francisco
“Let’s start with a clean slate,” says instructor Ben Jackson. “I don’t ‘get’ poetry either. I never have. But I know what my body feels, I know what my mind processes, and that’s enough for me to come to an agreement with a poem, whether I’m the author or the reader. That contact, both physical and intellectual, is exhilarating, bemusing, and, ultimately, personal. So let me say I ‘get’ poetry in my own way.”
Whether you are new to poetry or you are looking for deeper immersion into the art form, this class will show you a variety of ways to appreciate, learn from, and fall in love with the practice of reading and writing poetry. “We’ll start off the day thinking about what makes poetry pleasurable for each one of us,” says Ben, “and begin reading and writing poems to discover other potentially hidden delights.
Sundays, April 21-June 23 (9 weeks, skip 5/26) 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 others San Francisco Testimonials for Andy
Note: If you have already taken this class once (or more than once, as many people do) and would now like to move on to something else, check out Andy’s 6-month “Fiction Continuation” workshop.
“What makes a story compelling?” asks Andy Touhy. “More importantly, what are the ways to make a story compelling? Both questions should be in our hearts when sitting down to write, and on our minds when returning with fresh eyes to revise. But how do we get ‘voice’ into our blood and onto the page and then into the bloodstream of the reader? How do we give our narrators and characters the sound only they can make—the yarp needed to get their word out over the roofs of the world?”
In this workshop, we’ll examine this elusive element in storytelling, and really begin to think about and understand nuts-and-bolts techniques for writing urgent tales. Opening lines matter (they present rather than represent a world, and serve as the storehouse of the story’s personality, metabolism, and shape), as does narrative stance (the narrator’s emotional proximity to the event), as does point of view and tense and syntax and those choice bits of dialogue we use to put flesh on our characters and stories in general. Naturally, we’ll continue to explore and deepen our knowledge of all craft elements—structure, plot, setting, scene, conflict, theme, etc.—with an eye toward creating narratives that stick with readers long after the reading.
Mondays, April 22-June 24 (9 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 others Berkeley
Up and at ‘em! It’s time. For you. To get going. Now. You’ve read about writing. You’ve thought about writing. You’ve talked about it, dreamed about it, bladdity bladdity blah. But when are you going to bite the bullet and just do it? Not merely once in a blue moon, but regularly, with — you know — some modicum of discipline and determination. How about now? Or if not right this minute, how about Monday night, April 22nd, from 7 to 9:30 pm? Sure, it’s not easy to commit. But do it anyway. What the hell. You only live once. (And if you get more writing practice, maybe you’ll do better at avoiding clichés such a “bite the bullet,” “once in a blue moon,” “what the hell” and “you only live once.”)
Here’s how this will work: Every Monday night for nine weeks, you’ll show up at the classroom, ready to write . . . or not ready to write (the point being to show up whether you’re ready or not). You will be met at the door by a different Writing Salon teacher each week. We’ve lined up nine stellar Writing Salon teachers, each of whom will do their utmost to inspire and spur you on by providing writing prompts for you to plunge into. You won’t be writing every minute you’re there, of course. But at least half the class time will be allotted to in-class writing. The rest will be for sharing snippets of what you’ve written (although not for feedback or critique).
Mondays, April 22-May 20 (5 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $215 members/$245 others San Francisco Testimonials for Junse
Note: Take this class together with the SF “Starting Your Novel” class, and receive both classes (5 weeks plus 5 weeks, this class first) for the discounted price of one 9-week class. To get the discount, you must sign up for the “Combo” option HERE.
“We writers too often need others to tell us that our writing is good,” says instructor Junse Kim. “And this is where it all goes horribly wrong. We become impatient for praise, obsessed with completing a story before learning the basic skills we need to write it. It’s the equivalent of, say, an aspiring carpenter who has committed to building a beautiful house, yet doesn’t know how to hammer in a nail or saw a piece of wood.”
In this class, you’ll develop concrete skills and narrative techniques through fun writing exercises designed to help you master your craft. At the end of five weeks, you’ll have a better grip on how to use these techniques (for developing character, setting and plot) as tools for building your story. The class will also analyze other narrative genres, from movie scenes to comic books, to analyze storytelling skills you can apply to your fiction writing.
Mondays, April 22-July 1, skip May 27 (10 weeks, same price as a 9-week class) 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 others San Francisco
ATTENTION: THIS “COMBO” CLASS IS NOW CLOSED
First 5 weeks: “Intro to Fiction” with Junse Kim; second five weeks, “Starting Your Novel: with Karen Bjorneby. Be sure to select the “Combo Class” option (via the “Add to Cart” button below) if you want the discount price. If you don’t select this option (ie. if you sign up for Intro to Fiction and then separately sign up for the Starting Your Novel) the “combo” discount will not apply, no exceptions.
Tuesdays, April 23-June 18 (9 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 others San Francisco Testimonials for Jenny
Think you want to write, but not sure where to start? “Good news,” says Jenny Pritchett, “it’s all about you!” In this fun, fast-paced class for beginners, you’ll use your own experiences and observations – your unique movement through the world – as jumping-off points to investigate all types of writing: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, memoir, humor, essays and more. “We’ll address the intersection of reality and imagination,” says Jenny, “with a little reading, weekly writing exercises, handouts and discussion to get your pens (and brains!) flexing.
Tuesdays April 23-June 18 (9 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 non-members Berkeley Testimonials for Nick
In this workshop, you’ll hone your skills at writing commercial genre fiction—romance/chicklit, mystery/detective, science fiction/fantasy—that aren’t always given the credit they deserve. “If ghosts and witches, lost loves and conflict were good enough for Homer, Shakespeare, and Dante,” says Nick Mamatas, “they’re good enough for me. The techniques practiced in this class work just as well for ‘literary’ fiction.”
Whether you’re ready to be the next Nora Roberts, or simply have a great idea for an urban fantasy series, we’ll get your ideas into shape—eliminate the clichés, perfect the voice of your characters, and create gripping plots—with an eye toward submission and publication. In addition to workshopping of stories or novel chapters, we’ll explore the current marketplace for both short fiction and novels, and practice skills that writers need regardless of genres in which they write.
Wednesdays, April 24-May 22 (5 weeks) 7-9:30 pm $215 members/$245 others San Francisco Testimonials for Ben
“I still have that navy blue hardback journal that my mom gave me for Christmas when I was ten,” says instructor Ben Jackson. “After writing my first few entries, I was hooked. Years later, when I started writing a long sequence poem about my twin brother, I mined through journal entries all the way back to early adolescence in order to understand the recurring themes in our relationship.”
“For the first three weeks of this class we’ll complete daily journal entries as well as in-class writing exercises. Both of these activities will help you begin to generate new ideas for your writing, in any genre. You can also start to investigate the recurring themes that will almost certainly begin to appear in your journal with surprising regularity. Then we’ll devote the last two weeks to workshopping your creative pieces that have grown out of the journal entries.
Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $95 members/$110 others San Francisco Testimonials for Patricia
NOTE: You might also want to check out Patricia’s 5-week class: Playwriting 101: Writing for the Theater & Beyond. Take this 1-day workshop first, get warmed up and inspired, then go further.
The 10-minute play is a fantastic writing exercise if you have never written a play before, or can be a great way to develop a new idea if you are a playwrighting pro. It is a perfect (and increasingly requested) calling card to get you read at theaters; also a fun, quick way to trick yourself into finishing a tiny play. There are dozens of 10-minute play festivals offered across the country, proving that a 10-minute play is an essential tool for any new or established playwright.
The first half of this workshop is dedicated to discussing the building blocks of any good play (be it 10-minute, one act or full length): character, conflict, dialogue, subtext, story and endings. Then we take a short break, I give you some direction and writing assignments (plus a few top secret ingredients) and… GO! You write your play. We read them aloud, offer you some constructive criticism (within the safety of the group) and then armed with supportive feedback and guidance, you go home and re-write. It’s that simple.
Saturday April 27th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $95 members/$110 others Berkeley Testimonials for Andy
Big things can come in small packages—their own perfect beauty tied to their size. The short short story—also known as “flash fiction,” “suddens,” “nouvelles” (in France), “pocket-size stories,” and “the smokelong” (the time it takes to smoke a cigarette)—is literary proof that great fiction can come in a small package.
A tale told quickly offers pleasure long after its telling, perhaps because the form sits on so many thresholds, or because brevity and urgency demand study. In this workshop, says Andy Touhy, “You’ll get a taste of this quicksilver genre by closely reading a variety of short shorts for inspiration, as well as to understand how they operate, all with an eye toward approaches that suit your writing style, mind, and personality. You’ll also, through a series of generative exercises, try your hand at multiple versions of the form. We’ll discuss these together, exchange feedback, then reopen the conversation.”
Sundays, April 28-June 30 (9 weeks, skip May 26) 7-9:30 pm $365 members/$395 others Berkeley Testimonials for Terrel
Click HERE if you’d like to read a recent review of an early draft of a screenplay written by Terrel, Rule #1, which is currently on its way to becoming a movie starring Reese Witherspoon.
“Let’s spend three weeks on each of the acts of a well-structured, emotionally fulfilling screenplay,” says instructor Terrel Seltzer. “We’ll read scripts, watch movies, and write scenes to develop a practical understanding of the specific ‘chores’ and challenges of each act: Act One (Inspiration) asks a question. Act Three (Philosophy) answers it. The dreaded Act Two (Craft) is all about character development and rising conflict and tension, so that the reader urgently cares how the Act One question is answered in Act Three. It pretty much separates the good from the … not so good.”
Two Sundays, April 28 (mandatory attendance for first-timers) and June 30, 10:30 am to 1 pm (optional attendance) plus teacher-facilitated daily online writing (with partners) between meetings $195 members/$225 others San Francisco Student Testimonials
“The imagination,” said novelist Dean Koontz, ‘is like a muscle: The more you use it, the better it performs and the quicker you get ideas of higher caliber.’ The Round Robin is based on the same premise,” says instructor Jane Underwood. “The more you use your writing muscles, the more you will tone and strengthen them. The primary focus is PRACTICE. Every day you will practice your writing, in the same way that a piano student practices the piano or a swimmer swims laps.”
Next Reading:
Time: Saturday, April 27th, 6 to 8 p.m. Location: Progressive Grounds Cafe, corner of 21st and Bryant streets, San Francisco Mission District Cost: Free (but donations gratefully accepted) Theme: “FOOD”
READERS:
Lisa Alpine: Curiosity about what is beyond the curve of the horizon has fueled Lisa’s adventures since she left home at 18 to live in Paris. She is the author of Exotic Life: Laughing Rivers, Dancing Drums and Tangled Hearts (Best Women’s Adventure Memoir in the BAIPA 2011 Book Awards) and the recent winner of the 2012 Solas Awards gold medal for Most Unforgettable Character in her story, “Rada’s Bloom.” Her travel essays appear in numerous anthologies, and she is often a guest speaker at travel writer conferences, and is a member of Bay Area Travel Writers. She teaches a one-day travel writing workshop at The Writing Salon: The Great Travel Narrative–Live It, Write It.
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