The Muse Writers Center Classes
When you take a class at The Muse Writers Center, you'll find yourself part of a diverse community of writers in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Classes range from those geared for novice writers or those with some writing experience who are looking for a structured environment in which to bloom to those geared for intermediate, advanced, or professional writers.
No matter what kind of class you take, you will be a vital part of the class. Attendance and class participation is critical, as you will be helping both yourself and your classmates develop your craft.
General Classes and Writing Workshops
Some classes are seminars where you will be learning a specific aspect of craft. In general, classes combine creative exercises designed to inspire, readings selected to support your work, and discussions to stimulate that work within an encouraging and nurturing environment. Most classes include a workshop component--based on the undergraduate and graduate-level workshop model, where current work is distributed to all members of the group for helpful criticism and advice. In a workshop, students are expected to both produce work for group critique and take time to provide feedback to other class members. Deadlines and guidance from our experienced instructors encourage participants to produce their finest work.
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Writing Studios
Continuing from the Intermediate Writing Workshop model, Muse Writing Studios are open to advanced and professional writers who are looking for a community and guidance while working on a project or refining their craft. Writing Studios are generally closed to open registration. Permission by the Studio’s teacher and a submission of a writing sample is often required for admittance into the Studio Group.
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Crossword Making Seminar
Ever wonder how the crosswords in the paper get made? Want to make your own for publication or to amuse friends, family and online readers? Professional puzzle maker (and record-holder for the world's largest crossword puzzle) T Campbell shows you how to use the same techniques and technology as the pros.
a 1 meeting seminar, Sunday, February 28, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Instructor: T Campbell
Open to: writers of all levels of experience
Meets: February 28
Session cost: $25
Seats remaining: 5
Register now by email for Crossword Making Seminar
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Screenwriting 101
Get a real glimpse "behind the camera" from someone who has been there. This workshop will explore the craft of screenwriting—its art and design. Through the session, we will cover the three-act structure and alternative structures, plot, and proper industry formatting, as well as delve into character motivation, with an emphasis on the heroic journey and universal archetypes and themes. Emphasis will be given to the art of the pitch and what producers look for in a script. Script submissions are welcome.
Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning February 9
Instructor: Kip Watson
Open to: writers of all levels of experience
Meets: February 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 6 & 20
Session cost: $155
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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Standup Comedy 2
Intermediate comedy class for those with some standup experience. This 8 week course will hone your comedic writing skills and develop your standup routine. Your graduation will be performing a 10 minute routine at several venues in Hampton Roads.
Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week course beginning February 3
Instructor: Ken Phillips
Open to: performers with some experience
Meets: February 3, 10, 17, & 24, March 3, 10, 17, & 24
Session cost: $195
Seats remaining: 5 (of 12)
Register now by email for Standup Comedy 2
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Standup Comedy
Learn the secrets of being a Standup Comic from one of the top professionals in the business. Learn the art of writing Standup, performing, and everything you have always wanted to know about Standup Comedy. At the end of the 8 week course you will be able to perform a 5 minute standup comedy routine.
Sundays, 1-3 p.m.
an 8 week course beginning February 14
Instructor: Ken Phillips
Open to: persons of all levels of experience
Meets: February 14, 21, & 28, March 7, 14, 21, & 28, April 11
Session cost: $195
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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Business of Writing Seminar
There are two pillars for building a career working for magazines: writing ability and marketing ability. You need to be good at both. This two meeting intensive seminar will be an introduction to the business of freelance writing. Whether you want to create a career or just earn some extra money, you will learn the basics of identifying ideas, finding markets, writing queries, and networking with the goal of creating at least one query to send a publication. We'll focus on selling journalism and nonfiction, not other genres. Classes will include both lectures and critiques. Suggested reading: The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing and The Writer's Market.
Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
a 2 week session beginning March 30
Instructor: Jim Morrison
Open to: writers of all levels of experience
Meets: March 30, April 6
Session cost: $65
Seats remaining: 8 (of 12)
Register now by email for Business of Writing Seminar
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Writing from Life
It is the details that make stories sing. The unadorned scene, the distilled moment, the resonant image, are best conveyed by the careful choice and placement of words. In this workshop we'll write longhand to cues, a timer ticking away, and then read our work out loud (you can always opt out) in a safe, positive environment. You can write in whatever form inspires you, from prose (memoir, fiction) to poetry. Each writer also can bring a longer form, out-of-class piece for group critique, under the guidance of Janine Latus.
Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
a 6 week session beginning February 4
Instructor: Janine Latus
Open to: writers of all levels of experience
Meets: February 4, 11, 18, & 25, March 4 & 11
Session cost: $155
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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Narrative Travel Writing
"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves," Piico Iyer wrote. In this class, we'll identify, report, and write the stories in our travels. We'll learn to identify the narrative thread, find the characters to carry it along, and learn how to create the tension that compels readers. We'll look at some classic travel stories by writers like Iyer, John McPhee, Ian Frazier and others as a foundation, then plunge into the writing, learning how to distill a trip into a compelling narrative. Students will be expected to write stories between sessions and critique them in class. Your work will be critiqued at least four times during the session. Suggested reading: Lonely Planet's Guide to Travel Writing.
Sundays, 5:30-8 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning January 31
Instructor: Jim Morrison
Open to: writers of all levels of experience
Meets: February 21 & 28, March 7 & 21, April 11 & 25
Session cost: $155
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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The Riches of Everyday Life: A Memoir Workshop
The memoir can be the most engaging of literary forms. Certainly it is the most intimate. And it's not just for writers with stories of great success, exotic adventures or personal tragedy. As Rainer Maria Rilke suggests in Letters to a Young Poet, there are boundless riches in everyday life. It is up to us, as writers, to learn how to call them forth, as he puts it, and to give them meaning in well-constructed personal narratives. In this workshop-open to those who are already working on memoirs as well as those who are trying to start one-we will explore the techniques of accomplished memoirists and learn how to apply them to our own writing. The workshop is designed for intermediate-level writers (some experience is recommended, but students will not be pre-screened) who are working on book-length memoirs. However, those who wish to work on shorter personal essays are also welcome. We will meet every other week, and critique three to four pieces per session on a rotating basis.
Sundays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning January 31
Instructor: Tom Robotham
Open to: writers with some experience
Meets: February 14 & 28, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25
Session cost: $155
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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Open Studio
Sometimes we begin a short story and discover a novel, or a memoir mysteriously evolves into a poetry collection. This multi-genre studio welcomes poetry, fiction, non-fiction and memoir. Allow the work to become what it is and share it with a group of experienced writers. Writers will submit work to all members in advance (via e-mail). All submissions will be critiqued at the following meeting.
Sundays, 3-5:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning February 21
Instructor: Lisa Hartz
Open to: advanced writers. New members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: February 21, March 7 & 21, April 18, May 2 & 16
Session cost: $155
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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The Fiction Studio, Sections A & B
Open to advanced writers. New members must receive instructor approval for enrollment. Three or four students will submit work to each meeting according to an agreed upon schedule. Manuscripts will be submitted in advance via e-mail by an agreed upon deadline. Teachers will set page limits for submissions.
Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
A Section: a 7 week session beginning February 15
B Section: a 7 week session beginning February 8
Instructor: Tim Farrington
Open to: continuing members and new members with extensive writing experience. New members must send writing samples and receive instructor approval for enrollment
A Section Meets:
February 15, March 1, 15, & 29, April 12 & 26, May 10
B Section Meets:
February 8 & 22, March 8 & 22, April 5 & 16, May 3
Session cost: $175
Section A is Full and is Closed
Seats remaining: 1 (B Section)
Register now by email for The Fiction Studio Section B
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Introduction to Fiction Writing
We all have stories to tell, whether we are aiming for short stories or novels, and in this class we will begin to explore both the fundamentals of craft and the even more crucial challenge of carving out a space for yourself as an artist. We will work at every level with your stories, from the mystery of the creative impulse itself to the logistics of getting a character from one end of the room to another. We will study excerpts from the fiction masters such as Cormac McCarthy, Joyce Carol Oates, Flannery O'Connor, and Raymond Carver (to name a few) to see what we can learn and what we can copy. With any luck, we'll also have some fun getting to know each other and ourselves along the way—come join us! Your instructor will make every effort to tailor the submission schedule to your goals.
Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning February 2
Instructor: Caitlin Hayes
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: February 2, 9, 16, & 23, March 9, 16, 23, & 30
Session cost: $195
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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The Fiction Workshop
The Fiction Workshop continues with returning writers and new members with writing experience. Members of the group will actively write and revise original short stories and chapters of novels. All members of the group will have the opportunity to submit material for the workshop. You will have at least three opportunities to be critiqued during the session.
Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning February 3
Instructor: Lisa Hartz
Open to: continuing members and new members with some writing experience
Meets: February 3, 10, 17, & 24, March 3, 10, 17, & 24
Session cost: $195
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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Introduction to Writing Poetry
This course, for beginners and all interested in writing poetry, is designed to help you write and respond to poetry through creative exercises, readings and discussions. Each member of the group will write and revise original poems. Together, we will explore your handling of voice, imagery, structure, word choice and line in a stimulating and supportive workshop environment. Sign up today and join our talented and friendly writing community.
Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning February 4
Instructor: Patti Hinson
Open to: writers of all levels of experience
Meets: February 4, 18 & 25, March 4, 11, 18, & 25, April 1
Session cost: $195
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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The Poetry Workshop
This continuing course, for poets with some experience, is designed to help you compose and respond to poetry through creative exercises, readings, and discussions. Each member of the group will write and revise original poems; together, we will explore your handling of voice, imagery, structure, word choice, and line in a stimulating and supportive workshop environment. Work will be submitted prior to the start of each meeting. All poems will be critiqued during that meeting.
Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning February 8
Instructor: Patti Hinson
Open to: continuing members and new members with experience writing and workshopping poetry
February 8, 15, & 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
Session cost: $195
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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Intensive Poetry Studio
The studio continues! Members of the group will actively write and revise original poetry, with a special emphasis on the careful review of members' work, the examination of the literary and commercial marketplace, and the submission of work for publication. Work may be submitted at each meeting. All poems submitted will be critiqued during that meeting.
Tuesdays, 7-10:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 4 week session beginning February 2
Instructor: Michael Khandelwal
Open to: advanced poets. New members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: February 2 & 16, March 16 & 30, April 20
Session cost: $100 (no returning student discount)
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION
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