It's Monday again. That's the bad news. The good news is that AWCS has lots of exciting courses and workshops coming up for the summer and fall. More information and online registration are available at http://www.alexandrawriters.org/
Writing Fantasy Fiction
Jeff Campbell
JUNE 9, 2012
10-3:30 PM
(SATURDAY)
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Fantasy fiction is one of the newest book-selling genres and one of the perplexing, riddled with subgenre code words and stacks of tropes the genre played with before retiring. This course examines what defines modern fantasy fiction, its evolution, the various subgenres and icons comprising the field and how to avoid story elements that might date your work. From multi-volume epics to short stories, we’ll examine what makes an effective fantasy story.
Writing for the Horror Market
Susan Forest
JUNE 9
10-3:30 PM
(SATURDAY)
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
What are the elements of good horror fiction? What writing techniques help you to build creepy suspense? How far do you take graphic detail, and how much do you restrain? In this one-day session, we will examine what makes a story fit the horror market, what editors are looking for in terms writing quality and professionalism, and what steps a starting author should take when approaching a magazine or publisher for publication.
A Novel Idea (Summer)
Meghan Doraty
TUESDAYS
7-9:30PM
JUNE 26 (10 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $160
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $210
Are you working on a novel-length manuscript or have an idea for one? Learn the steps involved in writing a novel, such as choosing point of view, setting up a structure, planning out the plot and characterization. Learn and discuss the foundations involved in writing quality novel-length fiction. Students will submit portions of their novel and receive critical feedback from the instructor and other students.
This course is a pre-requisite for A Novel Approach, the year-long novel course.
Note: If enrolled in this summer course, you can still apply for the upcoming session of A Novel Approach.
Writing Memorable Settings
Susan Calder
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
JULY 28
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
What makes setting memorable? How do you weave setting into your story to enhance characters, plot and meaning? We’ll go outside to gather sensory details, then put them to work in narrative and scene. Come prepared to write and spend time outside, learning in Calgary’s summer air.
Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy
Wilma Rubens
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
AUGUST 11
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Take time to nourish your inner writer in the outdoors and appreciate the natural world at its most fertile. Cultivate your senses and nurture the shoots of your creative hopes and dreams. Writing exercises will anchor your stories, thoughts, feelings, bring you to a deeper connection to the world and your unique place with in it.
Finding Your Muse
Ellen Kelly
SATURDAYS
9:30AM-12PM
JULY 14 (6 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
Is there a book hidden somewhere inside you? Do stories dance in your head? Does your personal writing say what you want it to? Are you a poet at heart? Through friendly discussion, in-class writing exercises and sharing your writing, we will address the basics and specific interests of the participants involved. For writers of all levels.
Introduction to Creative Writing (Summer)
Robin van Eck
THURSDAYS
7-9PM
JULY 5 (8 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
In this eight week course, you will learn about the free fall method of writing and how it can be a useful tool for all writing. Then, using short story as a model, you will be introduced to the basics of character, plot, dialogue and setting through discussion, free fall writing, practical writing exercises and mutual feedback.
Craft Memorable Memoir Characters
Wilma Rubens
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
OCTOBER 27
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Compelling characters are at the heart of any story that the reader cares about. Just as in writing fiction, memoir characters need to be brought to life. Real life people are quirky with different and contrasting shades, strong desires, flaws and heroic qualities that come alive in action and dialogue. We will use writing prompts to create unforgettable characters and weave a trail of clues, cliffhangers and insights into our stories.
Whose Story is it? (Point of View, Ownership and Telling It Like It Is)
J. Jill Robinson
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 25
10AM-4:30PM
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
Some writers say that choosing the right point of view through which to tell the story is the most important decision a writer makes, and that most problems encountered in the writing process can be traced to p.o.v. concerns. Changing point of view can certainly can have a startling impact on your narrative, and can often help get you unstuck when you’re stuck. Come and find out more, through discussion and exercises, with novelist, short story, and creative non-fiction writer Jill Robinson. For writers at all levels.
Showing vs. Telling
Susan Forest
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 23
10AM-4:30PM
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
The first “rule” of fiction writing all authors learn is to “show” story events scenically through action, as opposed to “telling” the story. But how is that accomplished? What are the craft techniques that lead to page-turning stories that immerse the reader so he forgets the book in his hands, and lives the story in imagination? And…when is “telling” the tool of choice? This two-day intensive workshop will explore techniques such as time dilation, for interweaving dialogue, internal monologue, description, action and emotion into well-structured, purposeful scenes.
Who Is Seeing This?
Vivian Hansen
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
OCTOBER 20
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Ever wondered how a scene, a poem, a story, just sounds absolutely right, as though you’re living the moment? But.. you don’t know who’s telling the story. Or why? Does the point of view make a difference to how we read or what we experience? This will be an active workshop, so bring scenes and stories to class
World Building
Elaine Morin
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
NOVEMBER 17
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Whether it’s your backyard, a Hong Kong market or an alien starship, the world you write should be believable. But which details are necessary to carry a story? How do you make those descriptive passages zing? For both fiction and creative non-fiction writers, this workshop will explore world building through already published works, discussion and lectures, and writing exercises.
Dynamic Dialogue
Susan Calder
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
NOVEMBER 3
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Dialogue is one of the strongest tools for portraying characters in fiction and creative non-fiction. When do you use dialogue in a story? What makes dialogue effective, interesting and full of tension? How can dialogue move your story forward? Through writing exercises, discussion and the study of published works learn how to make your dialogue sparkle.
Weekly Courses (8 Weeks)
Creative Nonfiction
Ellen Kelly
THURSDAYS
7-9PM
SEPTEMBER 20 (8 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
This eight week course gives participants the opportunity to develop their own true stories creatively. Characterization, scene, narration, theme, voice, truth, story/plot development and publication/markets will be discussed as they apply to CNF. Specific interests of class participants will be addressed and students will be expected to write, both briefly in class and more extensively at home. Sharing is encouraged.
Vicki Chatham
7-9PM
SEPTEMBER 24 (8 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
In this eight week course, you will learn about the free fall method of writing and how it can be a useful tool for all writing. Then, using short story as a model, you will be introduced to the basics of character, plot, dialogue and setting through discussion, free fall writing, practical writing exercises and mutual feedback.
The Artist’s Way
Caroline Russell-King
FRIDAYS
7-9PM
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 (8 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
For all writers and artists. As a group we will work through Julia Cameron’s’ book The Artist Way. We will engage in exercises and activities that spur the imagination and capture new ideas while unblocking obstacles on the path to inspiration and creativity.
Introduction to Creative Writing (Thursdays)
Robin van Eck
THURSDAYS
7-9PM
SEPTEMBER 20 (8 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
In this eight week course, you will learn about the free fall method of writing and how it can be a useful tool for all writing. Then, using short story as a model, you will be introduced to the basics of character, plot, dialogue and setting through discussion, free fall writing, practical writing exercises and mutual feedback.
Short Fiction
Meghan Doraty
TUESDAYS
7-9 PM
OCTOBER 9 (8 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $140
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190
An eight week course designed to introduce and refine the skills required to write short fiction. We will discuss beginnings and endings, plotting, characterization, theme, voice, point of view and publication strategies. Students will be asked to share work and offer feedback on other student’s work in order to polish and perfect their own writing. Each two hour class will include one hour of constructive feedback from the instructor and students and one hour of exercises and/or discussion about specific writing strategies.
Weekly Courses (10 Weeks)
Writing a Play for Lunchbox Theatre
Caroline Russell-King
WEDNESDAYS
7-9:30PM
SEPTEMBER 19 (10 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $160
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $210
A ten week course designed with the completion of a one act play suitable for submission to Lunchbox Theatre. From the playwright who has had many productions at the longest running noon time theatre in the world! Her last show Mr Fix It was nominated for a Betty Mitchell Theatre Award for Outstanding New Play.
A Novel Idea
Theanna Bischoff
WEDNESDAYS
7-9:30 PM
SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 (10 WEEKS)
MEMBER PRICE: $160
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $210
Are you working on a novel-length manuscript or have an idea for one? Learn the steps involved in writing a novel, such as choosing point of view, setting up a structure, planning out the plot and characterization. Learn and discuss the foundations involved in writing quality novel-length fiction. Students will submit portions of their novel and receive critical feedback from the instructor and other students.
This course is a pre-requisite for A Novel Approach, the year-long novel course.
One Day Writing Workshops
Flash Fiction
Rona Altrows
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
SEPTEMBER 22
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
In this workshop we will explore flash fiction, the short-short story form now enjoying a surge in popularity. For our purposes we will define flash fiction as a story of under 1000 words. Come prepared to write, as the class will be hands-on. Learn how to move from idea to compact story inspired by themes important to you as a writer. In-class exercises will lead you to write a flash story. You’ll learn self-editing tips and we will discuss character development and story arc in flash fiction. We’ll also touch on marketing.
Magic Realism
Meghan Doraty
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
OCTOBER 13
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
In this one day workshop, we will discuss magic realism, a style of writing that seamlessly weaves the fantastical with the real. As a class we will discuss the elements of magic realism and practice implementing them with short shared exercises.
The Book Review
Robin van Eck
SATURDAY
10AM-3:30PM
NOVEMBER 24
MEMBER PRICE: $75
NON-MEMBER PRICE: $95
Book reviews are more than a summary of a book. It’s a craft, like any other writing. In this workshop you will learn ways to artfully craft a review so that it stands out above others. Through examples and writing exercises you will learn how to make a review unique to you, the writer, how to write a balanced review, as well as where to publish.
AWCS Prose Critique Group
Feedback can be valuable for writers at every stage. The prose critique group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Contact Rick Borger raborger@telus.net for more information.
Reality Is Optional Kids' Writing Club (RIO)
Need a place that understands you? Join RIO, a youth led, adult mentored creative writing club with guest speakers, writing games, and more. Come out and play with your words -- all you need is a notebook and pen.
Meetings are held the second and last Monday of every month from September to June, 5:30pm-6:30 at AWCS. Ages 17 and under.
Learn more at www.realityisoptional.weebly.com
Free Fall Fridays
Every Friday from 10am to noon at the Alexandra Writers Centre Society. For more information, please contact Mary at mary.k@shaw.ca or phone 403.210.2295
For all the info on courses, memberships, online registrations and upcoming events check out the AWCS website www.alexandrawriters.org
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