Five Weeks or One Day (not currently scheduled)
$185 members/$215 others   Berkeley
Testimonials for Elaine

Mysteries are one of the most popular and diverse genres in fiction today.  They sell by the millions and hundreds of authors have established long and successful careers in mystery writing. The contemporary mystery offers immense opportunities for the creation of quirky protagonists, unusual settings, stories with social or political relevance, and even for books that put new twists on the genre or that seem to defy the demands of the genre altogether.  Nevertheless, writing a mystery demands certain key skills and a knowledge of what works in this particular area of fiction.

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Nine Weeknights, 7-9:30 p.m. Berkeley
$335 members/$365 non-members

When we write fiction we discover deeper truth about ourselves, other people, and the world. By wandering the world of the imagination, we surprise ourselves with the stories we discover. And, when we tell those stories, we change our readers by allowing them to enter experiences that are often very different than their own.

In this workshop, participants will deepen their knowledge about how to find and tell fictional stories. They’ll learn more about the art and the craft of fiction—through doing in-class exercises and optional homework assignments, getting feedback on their work, and reading excerpts from published writers.
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One Saturday, 10 a.m.-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.”

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One Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$95 members/$110 non-members  Berkeley & SF

Mysteries are one of the most popular and diverse genres in fiction today.  They sell by the millions and hundreds of authors have established long and successful careers in mystery writing. The contemporary mystery offers immense opportunities for the creation of quirky protagonists, unusual settings, stories with social or political relevance, and even for books that put new twists on the genre or that seem to defy the demands of the genre altogether.  Nevertheless, writing a mystery demands certain key skills and a knowledge of what works in this particular area of fiction.

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One Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Berkeley
$95 members/$110 non-members

Had a difficult time making time to write even though you know you want to? Perhaps you feel uninspired or don’t quite know what it is you want to write about. Or maybe you need a boost to your creativity that will help your words flow.

“We live such busy lives,” says instructor Elaine Beale. “Demands come at us from all directions. It can be very challenging to make the time to write. Besides, writing creatively requires a level of inner stillness and disconnection from the busyness that surrounds us. Sometimes we simply need to take a day to reconnect with our creative selves. Read the rest of this entry »

Saturday, Jan. 28th, 10 am-4 pm   Berkeley
$95 members/$110 non-members
Testimonials for Elaine

HEADS UP: ONLY TWO SPACES LEFT…PROCRASTINATORS TAKE HEED!

Many ingredients go into writing a successful novel, and perhaps the most important is plot. “Yet plot is often the most difficult thing for writers to come to grips with,” says instructor Elaine Beale. “Creating beautiful sentences and convincing characters can feel easy compared to developing an overall structure for our stories.

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Jane,

Just a little note to tell you how much Carrie and I enjoyed Elaine’s “Busting through Writer’s Block” class on Saturday. She is excellent and the group was fantastic.

Greg Sandoval

***

Elaine knows her stuff, obviously, and articulates her insights in an inspiring style.  I truly appreciated hearing her critique of my work and others.  She respects how challenging writing is and accentuates that by constantly providing positive support.  She is warm, honest, and helpful for fledgling fiction writers! — Karolina Garrett

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Six Fridays (once a month): March 20, April 17, May 15, June 12, July 10, Aug. 7th  7-9:30 p.m;  Berkeley
$335 members/$365 non-members

“When we read writing we love, it transports us,” says instructor Elaine Beale.  “We travel to other places, inhabit the minds of characters vastly different from ourselves.  We are awed by beautiful language, perfectly crafted sentences, marvelously constructed plots.  And our experience of the world and ourselves is enriched.  As writers, we want our readers to be similarly transported.

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