Come to The Muse for Writing Workshops in Norfolk, Virginia (VA)
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spring 2008 writing classes (workshops & studios)

in fiction, screenwriting, memoir & creative non-fiction,
spiritual writing, poetry, & one-on-one writing consultation and coaching
in norfolk, virginia (hampton roads, va)

Looking for a place to express your inner writer? Spring 2008 Writing Workshops (for beginning and intermediate writers) and Writing Studios (for more experienced writers and professionals) begin in early April. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks. The Muse's instructors are all working writers and published authors who have taught courses at colleges, universities, and other community organizations. Class size is usually capped at 8 students.

to register:

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.

One-on-One
Writing Consultation & Coaching

Looking for personalized attention? One-on-one coaching and writing consultations are now available.

Screenplay Consultation

Do you have a script that needs work? Do you have part of a script and need ideas? A screenplay consultant can generate ideas as well as help with structure and plotting, character development, tone, formatting or any other needs you may have. I can help get your script to the next level and ready for market. Consultation includes extensive notes, a personal story meeting and continued coaching while you rewrite your new draft. I am also available for personal coaching on an hourly basis. Put my experience to work for you and your movie.
Coach: Kip Watson
cost: $195
Register now
by email for a Screenwriting Consultation

Screenwriting Coaching

Hourly coaching available for continuing and new muse screenwriting students. New members must receive coach's approval for enrollment.
Coach: Kip Watson
cost: $35/first hour, $25/hour thereafter
Register now
by email for Screenwriting Coaching

Screenwriting Workshop

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—and is open to writers of all levels and experience. 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. Exercises in back-story, story arcs and character development will help you refine your script’s vision, and emphasis will be given to the art of the pitch and what producers look for in a script. Join us and write a treatment, begin a new script, or rewrite a current draft.
Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 8
Instructor: Kip Watson
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: April 8, 15, 22, & 29, May 6, 13, 20, & 27
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Contemplating Your Novel:
a class to help you get the most out of long-fiction writing

All of us with aspirations to join the ranks of novel writers have to deal constantly with the downside: lack of focus, ideas drying up, confidence deserting us. This class is ideal for those writers with an on-going fiction in need of some guidance, or just those considering starting a novel they have in mind, but who find the process daunting. Some writing experience is adviseable for this class, the emphasis being on workshopping and class discussion of your work-in-progress, through fun, illuminating exercises and critique.
Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 10
Instructor: Colin Ginks
Open to: intermediate-level and above writers
Meets: April 10, 17, & 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Introduction to Fiction Writing

We all have our stories to tell, whether you 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 April 9
Instructor: Tim Farrington
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: April 9, 16, 23, & 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Fiction Studio

The studio continues with returning writers 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. Meetings will include both the careful review of members’ work and the examination of the literary and commercial marketplace through class presentations.
Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 7
Instructor: Michael Khandelwal
Open to: advanced writers; new members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: April 7, 14, & 21, May 12, & 19, June 2, 9, & 16
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Memoir Studio

Continue the evolution of your memoir toward completion. Working with other experienced writers who are struggling with the same issues, you will receive practical advice on editing, revision, and the shaping of your project into a finished work. New members must receive instructor approval for enrollment.
Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 9
Instructor: Lisa Hartz
Open to: advanced writers; new members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: April 9, 16, 23, & 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Spiritual Writing Workshop

Most of us, whether we identify with an organized religion or not, feel some sense of spirituality—some connection, or yearning to connect, with the eternal source of life. We may seek this connection in churches or temples, through group or private meditation, in the natural world, or through art, music or a physical discipline like Tai Chi. This workshop will help writers of all levels chronicle their spiritual journeys. The first three weeks will be devoted to short written meditations on words or phrases that have some spiritual resonance for the individual student. We will use Kathleen Norris’ book Amazing Grace as a guide and source of inspiration. The remaining weeks will be devoted to the writing of a full length autobiographical essay or the chapter of a spiritual memoir.
Sundays, 3-5:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 6
Instructor: Tom Robotham
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: April 6, 13, 20, & 27, May4, 11, 18, & 25
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

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 you’re inspired, from prose (memoir, fiction) to poetry. Each writer also can bring in up to two longer form, out-of-class pieces for group critique, under the guidance of instructor Janine Latus.
Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 24
Instructor: Janine Latus
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, June 5 & 12
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

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.
an 8 week session beginning April 7
Instructor: Patti Hinson
Open to: writers of all levels and experience
Meets: April 7, 14, 21 & 28, May 5, 12, & 19, June 2
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION

Poetry Studio

The studio continues with returning poets and new members with writing experience. Members will actively and intensively write and revise original poems in a liberating workshop environment, with increasing attention given to producing works for publication.
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
an 8 week session beginning April 8
Instructor: Michael Khandelwal
Open to: advanced writers of poetry; new members must receive instructor approval for enrollment
Meets: April 8, 15, & 22, May 13, 20, & 27, June 3 & 10
Session cost: $175
THIS CLASS IS FULL AND CLOSED TO REGISTRATION