“Writing sharp dialogue is tough,” says instructor Kristin FitzPatrick. “If you’re like me, you’re afraid it’ll go on too long, or every character will sound the same, or that what they say just won’t ring true.” In this class, we’ll learn how to get through the initial obstacles and write conversations that build tension in every line
In this beginner’s course, you’ll be introduced to fiction, creative nonfiction (i.e., personal essays/memoirs), and poetry. Ben will give you writing prompts to spark your imagination and to draw out stories
Picture books provide one of the most exciting and innovative spaces for play in the book world today. Genres collide, stories become graphic novels, and nonfiction dances from the page in lyrical twists and twirls
For most writers, a poem rarely, if ever, emerges on the page as a finished thing. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey has said: “Once or twice, I’ve had a dream of a fully formed poem, but I spend years revising a single one
“In this course,” says instructor Nate Klug, “we will create prose and poetry that puts our hearts in conversation with the divine and the ineffable. Journaling, ghazal poems, tiny stories with God as protagonist, spiritual aphorisms, and haiku
It’s easy to forget, but poetry belongs to the body. Often, our senses know how to respond to a poem’s power before our minds can work out its exact meaning. Maybe this is what Emily Dickinson meant when she said that poetry began for her as a physical thrill
When we read good stories they tend to endure in our hearts as touchstones that enrich our understanding of the world. We’ve all had the experience of reading something we like and wondering how the author developed such a breathtaking idea, with such compelling characters, and brought it to fruition
“Let’s face it, you’re already in the business,” says instructor Kate Montgomery. “You’ve seen more movies than you can count and stayed up late way too many times to watch just one more episode of an addictive series on Netflix, Amazon or Cable
Scared to start writing? Need a burst of enthusiasm to work through writer’s block? Not sure if you want to do nonfiction, fiction, or something avant-garde? Then look no further, because Jay Ridler has got your back
Among the many aspects of successful narrative, one of the most essential is effective characterization. “Think of your favorite books or stories,” says instructor David Hill, “and chances are you remember the central characters as if you’d experienced them in real life.” But how do writers bring characters to life on the page?