August 7: Editing and Revising Workshop with Karen Ackerson
 
The class will discuss what constitutes a publishable short story or novel, focusing on characterization, conflict, plot, setting, and dialogue. In-class writing exercises and tips on revising one’s work will also be given, and students may bring up to five pages to the class for review. Ackerson is Senior Editor at The Renbourne Agency and has edited over 80 books. She has taught workshops throughout the southeast for twenty years.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

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Non-Member

 August 14: Screenplay Writing with Nathan Ross Freeman                     

Students will receive an overview of writing for the screen. Various formats, structures and techniques will be discussed, as well as tips on creating interesting characters and realistic dialogue. Information on where and how to submit your work will also be given. Freeman teaches at UNC-Charlotte. His awards include the ‘97 N.C. Arts Council Fellowship for Hannah Elias, and the ‘05 Great Lakes Film Festival Screenplay Contest for Geist.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

Member

Non-Member

Sept. 11: Writing Your Memoirs with Anne Barnhill

 The class will discuss what a memoir is, how it might be shaped and how to get started. Excerpts from several published memoirs will be used to show the various ways of telling your story, and hands-on writing exercises will be given to jog the memory and expand that memory into an episode or chapter. Creative writing techniques will also be given to bring one’s story to life. Barnhill is the author of What You Long For and At Home in the Land of Oz: Autism, My Sister and Me. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from UNC-Wilmington and teaches workshops throughout the state.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

Member

Non-Member

Sept. 18: Poetry Workshop with Laura Hope-Gill

Beginning and experienced poets will learn how to reconnect with the creative flow. Using works by master poets as guides and inspiration, students will generate new work and expand their toolbox of poetic techniques. Hope- Gill is an NC Arts Fellow and the author of The Soul Tree: Poems and Photographs of the Southern Appalachians (Grateful Steps 2009). She also directs the Asheville Wordfest Poetry Festival.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

Member

Non-Member

Sept. 25: Writing and Revising the One-Act Play with Richard Krawiec

The class will learn aspects of writing the one-act play, focusing on dialogue that reveals character and keeps the plot moving. Students may bring the first 10 pages of work to the class. Through reading aloud and revising, participants will learn how to ready their work for the stage. Krawiec has published 4 plays, including Forensic, presented in 2009 at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh; and Cluck Variations, which debuted at Common Ground Theater in Durham and was cited as an Indy Pick by The Independent Weekly.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

Member

Non-Member