New Courses!

Greetings, writers! new AWCS courses and workshops are live. There's something for everyone, so check it out!

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. 

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)

Short Story

Elaine Morin

THURSDAYS

7-9PM

JANUARY 24, 2013 (8 WEEKS)

MEMBER PRICE: $140

NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190

What makes a short story successful? Intact story world, compelling inhabitants, an inciting event or events, rising tension, climax and resolution. These are just some of the short story elements we will examine through handouts, video clips, discussion and writing exercises. Expect to complete at least two short stories over the duration of the class.

Please note: There will be no class on February 7. Course will run one week longer.

Elaine Morin Bio

Elaine Morin is a Calgary writer, editor and teacher, and a recipient of the Brenda Strathern Writing Prize. She has been published in Wascana Review, Prairie Journal, The Victoria Times Colonist and CBC Alberta Anthology. Her work has been adapted for broadcast on CBC Radio.

First Person Fiction Writing (Daytime)

Rona Altrows

TUESDAYS

12PM-2PM

JANUARY 22, 2013 (8 WEEKS)

MEMBER PRICE: $140

NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190

The principal objectives of this course are to give you, the writer, the  opportunity to write; to allow you to take yourself  into the mind and body of another person, a fictional person who will emerge naturally from your own creative core; and to let you write that fictional person’s reality.

You will be making extensive use of the freefall writing method for releasing subconscious thought. You will also learn from the Stanislavski System (the theory behind method acting) and from the instructor’s experience as a writer and former actor. You will enter your fictional person and become as one with her or him, without denying your own existence. In giving yourself to the process of merging with your fictional person, you will hear that person’s voice and that person will speak authentically and every part of that person’s self will come through in your writing.

The writing exercises themselves are practical. There will be lots of time to work on them and to discuss, and have a few laughs along the way. This course celebrates process, not product. It is about creativity, not technique. Imagination, invention and recollection will all have roles to play.

Introduction to Creative Writing

Vicki Chatham

WEDNESDAYS

7-9PM

JANUARY 23, 2013 (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

MONDAYS

7-9PM

JANUARY 21, 2013 (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.

Our Stories: Personal Essays with Public Appeal

Ellen Kelly

THURSDAYS

7-9 PM

JANUARY 24, 2013 (8 WEEKS)

MEMBER PRICE: $140

NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190

Does your writing say what you want it to say? Is there a deeper significance to your personal writing? Learn how to expand your written work into a clear and concise essay by examining style, focus, audience and purpose. Applicable techniques used in fiction will be discussed and some published essays will be studied. There will be a work shopping component to this course.

Weekly Courses (10 Weeks)

A Novel Idea

Susan Calder

TUESDAYS

7-9:30PM

JANUARY 22, 2013 (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.

Weekend Writing Intensives

How to Write a Killer Thriller

Mike Harrison

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

10AM - 4:30PM

MARCH 2 AND 3

MEMBER PRICE: $140

NON-MEMBER PRICE: $190

This course covers the A to Z of writing a first-class mystery. All great stories take you on a journey and this course shows you how to build yours to a shattering climaz. It teaches character development from a unique perspective and shows how to keep your story entertaining. It also deals with the pitfalls of over-plotting and answers the writer’s nagging questions about descriptive narrative: how much is enough and how much is too much. It’s great fun and you’ll learn more than you ever thought possible.

Mike Harrison Bio

Mike Harrison is the author of All Shook Up, Wild Thing, and Ruby Tuesday. He has worked in advertising for much of his life and has an eclectic mix of interests that include motorcycling, hiking, cooking, and hypnosis. He lives in Okotoks, Alberta, with his wife and two cats.

One Day Writing Workshops

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.