SWAN CREEK LITERARY SERVICES

Dec. 16, 2011, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
CAHEC Writing Workshop
Globe Tobacco Lofts
838 S. Main Street
Mt. Airy, NC
Contact: Carolyn Choate/​(336)786-1438

Dec. 17, 2011, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
"Anatomy of a Scene: The Building Blocks of Plot"
Cost: $35 /​ Limit: 8 writers
Register: Email to register

Looking at examples from contemporary prose, we'll dissect a scene into its component parts with an eye toward understanding how each piece fits into and works within the whole. We'll work in a small group (limit 8) to examine the parts of a scene and write our own from prompts.

Jan. 14, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
"Timelines and Storyboards: New Year, New Plan for Your Novel"
Cost: $35 /​ Limit: 8 writers
Register: Email to register

In this workshop, we'll discuss the various approaches to outlining (or not outlining) a novel. We'll talk about ways to organize all your research and look at techniques for mapping storylines using notecards and storyboards.

Feb. 18, 2012, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
"The Nuts & Bolts of Writing Short Stories"
Cost: $45
Yadkin Arts Council
226 E. Main Street
Yadkinville, NC 27055
Register: Email to register

In this 4-hour workshop, we'll look to examples from the masters of the shorter form. We'll review the fundamentals of narrative writing — plot, character, dialogue, POV, and setting -- with lots of prompts to generate ideas for new stories or help you sort out problems with stories-in-progress.

March 3, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
"Pity & Fear in Fiction: Conflict that Elicits Catharsis"
Cost: $35
Yadkin Arts Council
226 E. Main Street
Yadkinville, NC 27055
Register: Email to register

In this 2-hour workshop, we'll discuss endings that bring about a "satisfying" resolution. Aristotle was the first to recognize that all good drama relies on the cathartic experience. He was also the one to recognize that the way to elicit catharsis in an audience is by arousing pity and fear. Looking at examples from contemporary prose, we'll discuss strategies for accomplishing the cathartic experience in our own stories, novels, essays and memoirs.

March 6, 2012, 7:00-8:30 pm
Workshop on Conflict -- details coming soon
Winston-Salem Writers Group
Reynolda Manor
Winston-Salem, NC
Contact: Susan Williamson

March 24, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
"How Bad Things Happen to Good Characters: Compression & Tension in Fiction"
Cost: $35
Yadkin Arts Council
226 E. Main Street
Yadkinville, NC 27055
Register: Email to register

In this 2-hour class, we’ll discuss the fundamental way that short stories and novels differ in narrative structure, beginning with the most fundamental element of any narrative: conflict. How does it work in short fiction? How does it work in the novel? Why is it important to know the difference?

Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 -- Morning and Afternoon Sessions
(Exact times and locations TBD)
"Edit & Polish Sessions: Spring Bootcamp"
Cost: $150 /​ Limited to 8 writers (4 in each group)
Register: Email to register

Meeting weekly for six weeks, these small groups will exchange manuscripts and writers will learn by receiving and offering criticism of the work presented and discussing the elements of narrative prose writing. Join us for a series of round table workshops designed to offer feedback on work-in-progress. Share a chapter of a novel, a short story, or an essay with a group of other writers, who will read and provide thoughtful responses. Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12. Group 1 will meet from 10:00am-12:00pm. Group 2 will meet from 12:00 - 2:00 pm. $150. Limited to 8 writers (4 in each group).