summer 2009 creative writing classes (workshops & studios)

writing workshops

Muse Writing Workshops welcome novice writers as well as those with some writing experience who are looking for a structured environment in which to bloom. 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. In a Muse Workshop, you'll find yourself part of a diverse community of new writers in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

writing studios

Muse Writing Studios are designed for more experienced writers and professionals looking for a community and guidance while working on a literary project. Classes follow the graduate level workshop model, where current work is distributed to all members of the studio for helpful criticism and advice. Weekly deadlines and guidance from our experienced instructors encourage studio participants to produce their finest work. In a Muse Writing Studio you’ll work with other Hampton Roads, Virginia writers who are developing their craft.

Writing from Life for Teens

Your whole life is a story. True or false. Happily ever after or not so much. 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 fiction, memoir, poetry, plays... whatever allows you to say what you’re trying to say. We’ll play with verbs, experiment with characterization, change the endings, change the beginnings... all under the careful guidance of author Janine Latus.

Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
a 4 week session beginning July 1

Instructor: Janine Latus
Open to: writers ages 12–18 of all levels and experience
Meets: July 1, 8, 15, & 22
Session cost: $120

Seats remaining: 3
Register now by email for Writing from Life for Teens

Fiction Writing for Teens

In this class we will focus on the joy of telling our stories, the fascination of the writing process, and the ways in which the craft of fiction can both set us free and ground us in a deeper reality. Spelling optional.

Mondays, 3-5 p.m.
a 4 week session beginning June 29

Instructor: Tim Farrington
Open to: writers ages 12–18 of all levels and experience
Meets: June 29, July 6, 13, & 20
Session cost: $120

Seats remaining: 5
Register now by email for Fiction Writing for Teens

Young Writers Creative Workshop: Create your own Children's Picture Book

Writers ages 8 to 12 will write and illustrate their own children's picture books in this 4 session, hands-on, small-group workshop. In our first two meetings, participants will explore various writing techniques focusing on dialogue, plot development and understanding characters. Our final two Saturdays will be spent creating simple collage illustrations from found objects and binding our work into take-home books. We'll celebrate completion of our books at a reading, where the young authors will have the opportunity to share their work with family and friends. Light snacks and supplies will be provided.

Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
a 4 week session beginning June 20

Instructors: Lisa Hartz, Karla Martin, & Caroline Garrett
Open to: writers ages 8–12 of all levels and experience
Meets: June 20 & 27, July 11 & 18
Session cost: $155

This class is past its second week and is now closed

Journalism for Teens

Journalism can be a deeply rewarding vocation, but all too often young people with an interest in the field have few opportunities to develop their craft. Schools are cutting back on funds for student newspapers, and internships are hard to come by. In this workshop, students will learn the basics of journalism, from the conventional structure of a simple news story to fundamental reporting techniques. We will also explore the idea of specific "beats," such as music reporting, and the concept of literary journalism. Finished pieces will be published on the TReeHouse Magazine web site. The workshop is open to students 15 to 18 and will be beneficial to those with some experience on a student newspaper as well as to newcomers.

Tuesdays 3-5 p.m.
a 4 week session beginning June 30

Instructor: Tom Robotham
Open to: writers ages 15–18 of all levels and experience
Meets: June 30, July 7, 14, & 21
Session cost: $120

THIS CLASS IS CLOSED

Nature Writing

Encounters with nature have produced some of the great literature of our age. In this workshop, we will explore as a prelude to our own writing some of the great examples of the genre: selections from Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle, Thoreau's Walden, Emerson’s ruminations on the "uses" of nature, Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book Silent Spring and essays by Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard and others. Sessions will focus on reviewing and critiquing our own writings in response to the natural world. Students may choose to write fiction, non-fiction and/or poetry. Recommended text: Nature Writing: The Tradition of English, by Robert Finch and John Elder.

Tuesdays 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning July 7

Instructor: Tom Robotham
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: July 7 & 21, August 4 & 18, September 1 & 15
Session cost: $155

Seats remaining: 2
Register now by email for Nature Writing

English Grammar

You already know about 95% of the rules of English grammar. It's that other 5% that trips you up now and then when composing e-mail, letters, and other formal writing tasks. This two-session workshop gives students the ability to understand some of the trickier aspects of English grammar and punctuation, brush up on what you already know, and get answers to specific grammar questions.

Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
a two week session beginning July 23

Instructor: Gillian Durham
Open to: all those interested in strengthening their grammar skills
Meets: July 23 & 30
Session cost: $60

Seats remaining: 5
Register now by email for English Grammar

Blogging Basics for Writers

How easy is it to blog? As easy as creating a blog and updating it on a regular basis. How easy is it to market your name, increase readership and maybe, just maybe, make money blogging? Well... that takes a little more time and effort. Whether you're deciding what kind of blog to maintain (thematic or personal) or already have a blog that you would like to polish for increased readership, this course will help you learn how to write for and market to an online audience. Classes alternate weekly between real-time and online classroom. Home internet access is required.

Saturdays, 2-4 p.m.
a 6 week session beginning July 11

Instructor: Deb Markham
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: July 11, 18, & 25, August 1, 8, & 15
Session cost: $155

Seats remaining: 1
Register now by email for Blogging Basics for Writers

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 June 7

Instructor: Tom Robotham
Open to: writers with some experience
Meets: June 7 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23
Session cost: $155

THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

The Language of Love

The ancient Greeks identified five different kinds of love: eros (erotic-romantic love); storge (familial love); xenia (love of strangers); philia (friendship), and agape, the unconditional love for humanity. In this workshop, we will explore the nature of love in our own lives, through the lenses of these ancient concepts. Students may choose to write fiction, non-fiction and/or poetry and may focus on any number of subjects—a relationship with a child, lost romance, an enduring marriage, the longing to reconnect with an estranged parent, or a deep and abiding friendship, just to name a few. We will introduce the topic through the book Socrates in Love and explore various other writings as we develop and critique our own works.

Sundays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning May 31

Instructor: Tom Robotham
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: May 31, June 14, July 5 & 19, August 2 & 16
Session cost: $155

THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

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.

Sundays, 3:30-6 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 6 week session beginning June 14

Instructor: Lisa Hartz
Open to: experienced writers
Meets: June 14 & 28, July 12, August 2 & 23, September 6
Session cost: $155

THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Writing in Response to the Filipino American Experience

Immigration. Gender identity. Family and personal history. Food. Explore your writing through an ethnic cultural lens. The class will be exposed to the works of Filipino American artists including poets Luisa Igloria, Jon Pineda, Sarah Gambito and more.

Sundays, 1-3 p.m.
a 6 week session beginning May 31

Instructor: Tracie Liguid
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: May 31, June 7, 14, & 28, July 5 & 12
Session cost: $155

This class is past its second week and is now closed

Introduction to Storytelling: Writing Myth and Folklore

Come and explore the archetypal characters and themes of myth and folklore from around the world! This class will read and discuss stories from a number of cultures, examine the psychological and sociological meaning in symbols, and explore the magical and healing power of storytelling. Students will have the chance to create their own myths, folktales and fairy tales based on their own life stories and using these ancient storytelling forms.

Tuesdays 7-9 p.m.
a 4 week session beginning August 4

Instructor: Lea Ann Douglas
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: August 4, 11, 18, & 25
Session cost: $120

Seats remaining: 1
Register now by email for Introduction to Storytelling

Fiction Workshop 2, Section A

Tim Farrington's course 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.

Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
an 8 week session beginning June 1

Instructor: Tim Farrington
Open to: continuing members and new members with some writing experience
Meets: June 1, 15, & 29, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24, September 6
Session cost: $195

This class is past its second week and is now closed

Intensive Fiction Studio

The studio continues with returning and new members with writing experience. Members of the group will actively write and revise original short-short stories, short stories, and chapters of novels. This is a special two-day, intensive session and includes lunch.

Sunday, June 14 and Sunday, July 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Instructor: Michael Khandelwal
Open to: advanced writers—new members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: June 14 & July 12
Session cost: $110 (no returning student discount)

This class does not offer on-line registration and is currently full. Please call the office to find out if any spaces open.

Introduction to Fiction Writing

We all have our 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 elements of simply surviving as an artist. We will work at every level with your stories, from the deep ground of the fundamentally mysterious creative impulse itself, to surviving the terrains and weathers of the writing life and getting the work done, to what fonts to use on query letters. And we'll have some fun on the way, God willing.

Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning June 3

Instructor: Tim Farrington
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: June 3, 10, 17, & 24, July 1, 8, 15 & 22
Session cost: $195

THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Fiction Workshop 2, Section B

Tim Farrington's course 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.

Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
an 8 week session beginning June 8

Instructor: Tim Farrington
Open to: continuing members and new members with some writing experience
Meets: June 8 & 22, July 6 & 20, August 3, 17, & 31, September 13
Session cost: $195

THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

A Mother's Voice

Mothers of young children: are you interested in a healthy, creative outlet for yourselves and your children? In this class, mothers will use journaling and writing techniques to explore all aspects of motherhood—our essence as women, our mother line legacy, and our hopes and love for our children. Your children, ages 5 and under, will participate in separately supervised art and recreation activities. We will create a keepsake journal to enjoy for years to come.

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9-11 a.m.
a 3 week (six meeting) session beginning July 16

Instructor: Debi Wacker
Open to: writers of all levels and experience & one child each, age 5 and under
Meets: July 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, & 30
Session cost: $175

Seats remaining: 6
Register now by email for A Mothers Voice

Weekend Intensive Poetry Workshop: Remembering to Remember

This weekend poetry workshop will focus on writing narrative poems based on childhood and teenage memories—with a special emphasis on employing concrete detail to make these buried bits of experience vivid for both reader and writer. The writer is his/her own first audience so, to bring particular memories to life for others, the writer must be electrified in the writing. To accomplish this, we will do various writing exercises to prompt memory, then work for the details that will make the narratives whole.

Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Tim Seibles
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: June 27 & 28 This is a new weekend
Session cost: $125

This class is completed

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.

Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m.
a 6 week session beginning June 1

Instructor: Patti Hinson
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: June 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, July 6
Session cost: $155

This class is past its second week and is now closed

Intensive Poetry Studio

The studio continues with returning writers and new members with writing experience. Members of the group will actively write and revise original poetry. Meetings will include both the careful review of members’ work and the examination of the literary and commercial marketplace through class presentations.

Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m. (bi-weekly)
a 4 week session beginning June 2

Instructor: Michael Khandelwal
Open to: advanced writers—new members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: June 2, 16, 30, July 14 (bi-weekly)
Session cost: $100 (no returning student discount)

This class does not offer on-line registration and is currently full. Please call the office to find out if any spaces open.

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.

Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
a 6 week session beginning June 4

Instructor: Kip Watson
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: June 4, 11, 18, & 25, July 2 & 9
Session cost: $155

This class is past its second week and is now closed

Comic Book Writing

Graphic novels, manga and comic books have become a major sector in the field of literature and a principal source of inspiration for other media. T Campbell presents a set of exercises designed to familiarize writers with this exciting and challenging form. We’ll move from simple games like "fill in the word balloon," to the basics of character design and storytelling for a visual medium, and on to story outlining and exercises in full-fledged comics scriptwriting which will be reviewed in class.

Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m.
a 6 week session beginning June 2

Instructor: T Campbell
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, July 7
Session cost: $155

This class is past its second week and is now closed