CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS
READ ME:
- Writespace has in person and online workshops available. See individual workshop listings for details.
- Join as a member for just $60/year for discounts, free events, and other perks.
- Tickets must be purchased online via Eventbrite.
- Please read our workshop policies before registering.
- Can't attend without a scholarship? Apply here.
- Need tech support for your class? Check out our Tech Support page. If your question isn't answered, contact us.
April Workshops
Sweet & Savory, Salty & Bitter: Memories & Experiences with Food
INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Spears
TIME: Saturday, April 27, 1:00–4:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, April 21. After Sunday, April 21: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Of all our senses, taste and smell can easily connect us to memories and experiences of eating, family, childhood, and emotional comfort or distress. Maybe the smell or taste of freshly baked bread takes you back to your home or the people there. Or perhaps a bite of cherry pie is a comfort to you because someone you loved baked it. Sharing food can create a sense of belonging to friends, family, and your roots. Likewise, food can connect us to unpleasant experiences of fear and upset. In this three-hour workshop, we will approach the personal essay through memories and experiences with food. In these essays, you can explore your relationship with particular people or with a gathering or event in your life. We will practice several techniques for connecting with food to craft a satisfying personal essay. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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May Workshops
Building Blocks of Memoir: Writing About That Essential Person
INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Spears
TIME: Saturday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, April 28. After Sunday, April 28: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 In this memoir workshop, you will discover and explore a time when someone influenced your life in a notable way. This person could be someone you know well--a parent, sibling, grandparent, child, teacher, or friend. Or the person might be someone that you knew only at that specific time in your life. Your experiences might have been positive, negative, or a mix of both. During our time together, you'll practice the techniques of characterization, scene writing, time transitions, structure, and reflection. All these add up to the makings of a memorable essay or an episode for a larger work. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Sadman Sakib on Unsplash
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Writing as Alchemy
INSTRUCTOR: Marlena “Zen Ase” Johns
TIME: Saturday, May 4,1:00–4:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, April 28. After Sunday, April 28: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map) LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Pain and rage are a part of life. Many things cause them: divorce, the death of a loved one, moving, retirement, changing careers, entering school or the workforce again, or your kids leaving home. So many questions, feelings, doubts, limiting beliefs, and obstacles come up while dealing with these emotions. But writing gives us powerful tools to use these feelings as fuel. In this workshop we will learn 8 writing self-care and stress relief tools that lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves. Together, we will tap into the way writing can be used to reframe what are mostly considered negative emotions and circumstances. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash
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Finding Your Audience: Creating Quality Video Content
INSTRUCTOR: Kinza Muzahir
TIME: Three Sundays, May 5, 12, 19, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $120 for members, $140 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Monday, April 29. After Monday, April 29: $140 for members, $160 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Hybrid. Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map). This workshop is also available via Zoom. LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Social media marketing is crucial for writers in the modern digital age, but how do you generate engaging videos, images, and other content for the various social media platforms? And which platforms are right for you? So many moving pieces can be overwhelming, but creating video content doesn’t have to be a chore! This class will arm you with practical digital marketing skills to enable your own creative exploration. It will cover the technical aspects of creating, editing, and publishing social media content, as well as the conceptual storytelling that makes your content compelling. This workshop, led by award-winning digital media designer Kinza Muzahir, will guide you through each phase of digital creation: from concept and editing to publishing and measuring your impact. Together we will develop the skills to create unique and compelling content to build our online platforms and connect with our readers. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Kushagra Kevat on Unsplash
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The Architecture of Fiction: Creating Systems of Revision
INSTRUCTOR: Patrick Stockwell
TIME: Six Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 6:00–9:00 p.m CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $210 for members, $240 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Thursday, May 2. After Thursday, May 2: $240 for members, $270 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map). LEVEL: All levels CAP: 10 A story is built in much the same way as a building. From the foundation to the frame to the roof, each structural element is separate yet integral to the whole. In this six-week revision workshop, award-winning author Patrick Stockwell will lead students in close readings of both published fiction and students’ own work. Through our detailed readings, we will study stories like architects, element by element, to develop a deeper understanding of story design and strengthen each flaw as it is found. Using skills practiced in class, students will develop systems of revision that will result in consistently better, more cohesive drafts of their work. Attendees should come prepared with a fiction draft they would like to revise. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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What Writers Need to Know About Forming Critique Groups
INSTRUCTOR: Brenda Preuss
TIME: Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, May 5. After Sunday, May 5: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map) LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Critique groups should be safe, fun, inviting spaces that encourage you to bring your whole selves and bring it messy. “It” referring to your writing, your authenticity, your bravery, and your freedom to express your creativity. In this workshop you will explore the where, what, how, and why of critique groups. The instructor will share her own experiences with “good” and “bad” critique examples, what works and what doesn’t, and answer questions and concerns about critique groups. Experienced critiquers will get to problem-solve with the instructor and newbies will gain specific and usable tips on how to and how not to critique the work of others. Best practices will be shared, validated, and reiterated, including the purpose and function of critique groups, how to find the right group for you, what kind of writing to bring to a group, what to do with the comments given to you in critique groups, and how being a part of a critique group helps you with more than just the revision process. You will leave this workshop ready to try out one (or a few) critique groups or even start one of your own! The instructor, Brenda K. Preuss, M.Ed. is Director of Critique Groups for Houston Writer’s Guild, another non-profit that supports Houston writers. Workshop attendees will receive a $5 off coupon to join Houston Writers’ Guild and take advantage of already established and open critique groups or to start your own critique group with her help. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
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How to Pitch to an Editor
INSTRUCTOR: Doni Wilson
TIME: Saturday, May 11, 1:00–4:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, May 5. After Sunday, May 5: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map) LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 This workshop focuses on brainstorming, composing, and launching successful pitches to editors for your work. You have a great idea and something to say, but how do you get your essay or article out into the world? Come with ideas and courage. No one can read your work if you don't get it out there for people to see! So give it a whirl and leave with five projects to pitch and develop for your intended audience. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Nayanika Mukherjee on Unsplash
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Quilting Together Your Scraps and Pieces of Writing
INSTRUCTOR: Jessica Cole and Jamie Portwood
TIME: Sunday, May 19, 3:00–6:00 p.m. CST PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Monday, May 13. After Monday, May 13: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Hybrid. Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map). This workshop is also available via Zoom. LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Anyone else have scraps of writing just sitting in the Google drive or an overstuffed notebook? Short pieces consisting of a single, sharply drawn memory or some lovely lines from a poem that was never finished. Do you have paragraphs from memoir pieces or stories that you just couldn’t delete because they are so true and truly beautiful? What do you do with them all? They seem so random and disjointed? These pieces do all have something in common; you wrote them and you like them, so we are going to have an old fashioned quilting bee. Through collective wisdom, mentor texts, generative exercises, and group sharing, we will seek out the colors, themes, patterns, and images and patch together these seemingly disparate scraps into a quilt of surpassing beauty. Will it be a poem? An essay? A hybrid piece that defies genre but hits the heart just right? Who knows? Let’s find out together. Bring printed copies of your favorite scraps, blank 8X10 paper, tape, and a pair of scissors. This workshop can be taken in person at the studio or online via Zoom. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
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June Workshops
Read Like a Writer
INSTRUCTOR: Patrick Stockwell
TIME: Saturday, June 1, 1:00–4:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, May 26. After Sunday, May 26: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map) LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Have you ever wanted to figure out exactly why you love a story? Want to get to the nitty-gritty, down and dirty mechanics of an author’s writing? Want to discuss a story with other writers so you can figure out how to use those techniques in your own writing? In this one-day examination of short fiction, Ph.D. candidate and prize-winning author Patrick Stockwell will lead a deep dive into "Runaway," a modern masterpiece by Nobel Prize–winning author Alice Munro. Students will receive a PDF copy of the short story via Eventbrite email and will need to read it closely before class so we can get right to our analysis. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Robbie Noble on Unsplash
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Write Yourself into Main Character Energy
INSTRUCTOR: Marlena “Zen Ase” Johns
TIME: Three Sundays, June 2, 9, 16, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $120 for members, $140 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Monday, June 27. After Monday, June 27: $140 for members, $160 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map) LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 One theme of The Wizard of Oz is that Dorothy had the brains, courage, and heart that she needed all along. It just took a little journey and some challenges to find it. Often we act like a sidekick looking for a wizard to save us instead of embodying main character energy and accepting the call to adventure. This workshop will focus on self-reflection and finding your own voice, using writing exercises and other powerful techniques to strengthen your purpose, increase your resilience, and change your perspective. Let's write your hero's journey! Session 1. Laying the Foundation/Storyboarding. We will use goal-setting, vision boards, archetypes, and other self-reflection activities to explore the hero’s journey. Session 2. Drafting a Character Arc. We will use creative nonfiction to "script" our ideal selves, detailing how this improved self could handle the phases of the hero's journey and imaginatively exploring what it might take to transform. Session 3. Reflection. We will take time to reflect, revise, and share our journeys. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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Writing the Past from the Safety of the Present
INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Gajkowski-Hill
TIME: Sunday, June 2, 3:00–6:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Monday, May 27. After Monday, May 27: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 “Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days.” – Flannery O’Connor In times of uncertainty, and certainly since the pandemic, writing our stories can prove more painful than we have bandwidth for. We may find ourselves avoiding writing altogether or writing too sporadically to make real progress. Thankfully, there are ways through this kind of writer’s block, and this workshop is about finding those ways through simple sensory-guided memory writing. The instructor will walk participants through exercises designed to help writers tell their stories from the safety of the present. From paying careful attention to the senses to casting a deep net for positive, cherished memories, we will attempt to articulate the visceral details of a singular time and space while remaining present with our current emotions and surroundings. We will read excerpts from memoirists such as Nabokov and T.S. Eliot, to Jeannette Walls and Mary Karr, and many more, to aid us in crafting our own memoir essays/confessional poetry. The instructor will also touch briefly on rules for editing and revision. Sharing will be done in a safe space and only if one feels comfortable doing so. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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LGBTQIA+ Writers Workshop
INSTRUCTOR: Justin Jannise
TIME: Six Tuesdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, July 9, 6:30–9:30 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $210 for members, $240 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Wednesday, May 29. After Wednesday, May 29: $240 for members, $270 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Hybrid. Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map). This workshop is also available via Zoom. LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Queer literature has grown wildly in recent years, right alongside a public awakening to the increasingly various possibilities of gender identity and sexual preference. And yet communal creative spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can safely meet, interact, and share ideas seem more vulnerable than ever. With this workshop, we aim to foster a safe and welcoming rapport among LGBTQIA+ writers where we can discuss ideas critical to queer identity. We’ll not only read the work of writers who identify as LGBTQIA+ (including our own), but we’ll also consider how queerness interacts with the wider literary community. In addition, we’ll set aside time for discussion and group feedback on our projects—both new and ongoing! All literary genres are welcome. Expect to come away with new work, new understanding, and new friends. This workshop is open to any writer who identifies as LGBTQIA+ regardless of the subject matter they intend to address or the genre in which they write. This workshop is funded in part by a grant from Poets & Writers Magazine. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by chris robert on Unsplash
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Spiritual Memoir
INSTRUCTOR: Phuc Luu
TIME: Four Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:00–9:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $150 for members, $180 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Friday, May 31. After Friday, May 31: $180 for members, $210 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 How do you tell your story through the lens of your faith/spirituality? How does spiritual memoir differ from other forms of memoir? All people are spiritual by nature. We are connected to experiences that are inexplicable and ineffable. Love, relationships, the meaning of life – all are spiritual phenomena that both reach beyond and dive into the world as we know it. Spiritual memoir intentionally draws from our own particular religious and spiritual language. It plumbs the depths of what it means to grapple with the divine, the other, and the basis of human existence. In this workshop Phuc Luu, author of Jesus of the East (part theology, part autobiography), will guide participants through exercises and discussions designed to:
This workshop will provide a foundation for writing spiritual memoir while also giving participants an opportunity to receive feedback on their work. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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World-Building through the Five Senses
INSTRUCTOR: Tanya Aydelott
TIME: Saturday, June 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, June 2. After Sunday, June 2: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Humans experience the world through the five senses. In this workshop, we will use our own memories of taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell to make descriptions of place and setting more unique and specific. Generative exercises will encourage writers to consider how the story world helps shape character and how their characters experience the world. Are there certain senses that might be more pronounced in the world of the story? Do your characters feel more comfortable or competent with one or two of their senses? How are you, as a writer, utilizing your full arsenal of descriptions to help your reader embrace and experience the world you have created? This generative workshop is aimed primarily at writers of speculative fiction, but is applicable and suitable for all writers and writing levels. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Izzie Renee on Unsplash
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How to Write Steamy Romance
INSTRUCTOR: Cassandra Rose Clarke
TIME: Saturday, June 8, 1:00–4:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, June 2. After Sunday, June 2: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map). LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 Romance stories and steamy scenes have always gone hand in hand, but spicy reads have exploded in popularity over the last few years. So, how do you get down and dirty without sacrificing story and character? This workshop will explore the craft considerations of incorporating smut into your love stories. We’ll look at the commonalities between literary sex scenes and their less salacious cousin, action scenes, and examine the role of explicit sex in developing your characters and their relationships. We’ll also share tips and tricks for the best ways to build steam and get spicy. With sample texts, lively discussion, and plenty of exercises, participants will discover that sex scenes can play an integral role in crafting great romance. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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Novel Writing Workshop
INSTRUCTOR: Cassandra Rose Clarke
TIME: Six Wednesdays, June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 6:30–8:30 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $210 for members, $240 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Thursday, June 20. After Thursday, June 20: $240 for members, $270 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom and Wet Ink LEVEL: All levels CAP: 12 Do you struggle to keep your stories under 6000 words? Have you ever received feedback in short story workshops like, “I want more!” or “This feels like the start of something bigger”? Have you reached the point where you feel ready to immerse yourself in a piece of writing, rather than dole your stories out in bite-sized chunks, but you’re not quite sure how to venture into a longer form? If so, then this is the workshop for you. We will focus exclusively on writing the novel, studying the particular challenges and expectations that arise when writing long-form fiction. We’ll talk about building structure and juggling subplots. We’ll look at ways to avoid the dreaded “sagging middle.” And we’ll attempt to answer that age-old question: Should I outline or not? In addition, writers will have the opportunity to see either their completed manuscript or an excerpt critiqued, depending on where they are in the process. Writers with no completed novels are welcome, as are writers of all genres. This workshop will include set class time via Zoom and asynchronous assignments in Wet Ink, an online writing classroom. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
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Writing Creative Nonfiction: The Mosaic Essay
INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Spears
TIME: Saturday, June 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, June 23. After Sunday, June 23: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Hybrid. Writespace, 1907 Sabine Street, #125, Houston, TX 77007 (map). This workshop is also available via Zoom. LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 From small tiles in geometric or irregular shapes, mosaic artists assemble a larger cohesive composition. The mosaics are often stunning, especially if viewed both up close and at a distance. Just look at the public art of Antoni Gaudí or Emma Bigg; observing these artists’ use of imagery, light and dark hues, and shiny or matte materials, we feel a range of emotions as we connect to the artwork. With the mosaic essay, writers assemble their own tiles and fragments of experience, memories, stories, dreams, lessons learned, found objects, unforgettable conversations, and even happenstance to create a larger picture for their readers. What is different about the mosaic essay, and part of the satisfaction in the writing, is to assemble selected segments without the traditional chronology and transitions. Instead, the essay is put together to let readers make their own connections and draw their own conclusions. In this workshop, we will learn more about the mosaic essay, explore workable practices, and then draft several short pieces. Come ready to explore the montage that is the mosaic essay. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash
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The Creative Rebel
INSTRUCTOR: Debbie Burns
TIME: Saturday, June 29, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. CDT PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, June 23. After Sunday, June 23: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels CAP: 15 In a world that insists on more and more output in order to be “enough,” dare to defy the demands of productivity while saying yes to yourself, your peace, and your joy! Dare to take back the pleasure in your passions and creativity. It can seem as though everyone around us (in and out of the writing space) is obsessed with how much we produce. How many words? How many pages? How many books? Not to mention the requirements at work and at home. Everything whispering that it’s never enough. We must do more. It’s easy to fall into the trap of giving everything we have to this path of diminishing returns until we are left empty of everything except disappointment and frustration. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Join Debbie Burns in The Creative Rebel. We’ll discover: 1) the path leading to more writing with less stress and overwhelm (Hint: it’s not found in productivity!), 2) how to identify the patterns of your happiness (no more wondering what fills you up), and 3) the mindset shift that will get you back on track to your peace and joy. This is a hands-on, participation-required workshop. We’ll be doing the work together, so come open and ready to choose courage. You ARE the revolution. This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. |
Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash
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Pace Yourself (Independent Study Online)
READ ME:
- Please note that Pace Yourself workshops are entirely independent. The instructor will not be reviewing work or giving feedback.
- A Discord community will be available for those who have taken the workshop and wish to interact with other writers.
- Please contact us with any questions at write@writespacehouston.org
Haven't had the time or the right schedule to take a Writespace workshop but still want to delve into the craft of writing?
We've got you covered!
Writespace is building a library of independent study workshops through Wet Ink, an online learning platform designed for writers and writing classes. Whether you have a few hours on a weeknight or only an hour at lunch, these workshops are designed for those of us who just can't get to a three-hour class on Saturday or attend the six-week workshop on Tuesday nights but still want to hone their writing craft. Pace Yourself classes will give writers instruction while also providing an opportunity to interact with guided prompts in order to help build a solid body of work.
When you purchase a Pace Yourself workshop, you will receive an invitation to Wet Ink to access the workshop. You are free to complete the content and exercises entirely at your own pace. There's no class time and no deadlines. It's only you and the work of writing!
We've got you covered!
Writespace is building a library of independent study workshops through Wet Ink, an online learning platform designed for writers and writing classes. Whether you have a few hours on a weeknight or only an hour at lunch, these workshops are designed for those of us who just can't get to a three-hour class on Saturday or attend the six-week workshop on Tuesday nights but still want to hone their writing craft. Pace Yourself classes will give writers instruction while also providing an opportunity to interact with guided prompts in order to help build a solid body of work.
When you purchase a Pace Yourself workshop, you will receive an invitation to Wet Ink to access the workshop. You are free to complete the content and exercises entirely at your own pace. There's no class time and no deadlines. It's only you and the work of writing!
Introduction to Creative Writing
INSTRUCTOR: Cassandra Rose Clarke
PRICE: Members $115; Nonmembers $140 LOCATION: Online via Wet Ink LEVEL: Beginners This workshop will take writers through a crash course in the three main genres of creative writing. In Fiction, you'll cover the basics of fiction (setting, character, and plot) as well the process of actually writing a story. In Creative Nonfiction, you'll look at journaling as inspiration and discuss the ins and outs of telling (mostly) true stories. And finally, in Poetry, you'll look at poetry as play, as well as spend a bit of time talking about rhyme, meter, and other poetic devices. Each genre is divided into lessons which include fundamentals, readings, and exercises to give you a solid foundation of creative writing essentials. |
Fiction
INSTRUCTOR: Cassandra Rose Clarke
PRICE: Members $115; Nonmembers $140 LOCATION: Online via Wet Ink LEVEL: Beginners Ready to dive into fiction? This workshop will take you through the elements of writing fiction from character to setting to structure to the ins and outs of publishing your masterpiece. Each element of fiction is divided into lessons which include fundamentals, readings, and exercises to give you a solid foundation in writing fiction. |
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Write Practice Subscriptions
READ ME:
- Write Practice subscriptions are not a workshop and not a class!
- A Write Practice subscription is a commitment to show up for your writing.
- A Write Practice subscription is a weekly date with an instructor and your community to cultivate your creative practice
- Please contact us with any questions at write@writespacehouston.org
Want to make good habits and make progress? Want to find your writing community and find your guide? Look no further than a Write Practice subscription. These monthly subscriptions will keep you writing and help you troubleshoot your work in progress as you're writing!
Happy Hour with Angélique Jamail
INSTRUCTOR: Angélique Jamail
PRICE: $60 per month TIME: Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels You’re already a writer. You’ve got a manuscript of some kind you’re trying to get down on paper, but finding the time to do it in this modern life is a challenge. Or maybe you know you want to write something, but you keep getting stuck. False starts, mushy middles, and fade-outs dominate your manuscript, preventing you from making the progress you want. Do these dilemmas sound familiar? Most of us go through them at some point or another, but maybe we don’t have to. Join master teacher Angélique Jamail for a Creative Writing Happy Hour once a week to trouble-shoot whatever you’re working on and get some writing in. This is not a workshop. It’s not a class. There’s no specific homework. You won’t be given prompts (unless you ask for one) and won’t have to produce anything for formal critique. Just show up with your writing, your questions, and whatever snack or beverage you want for a one-hour Zoom session to start your week off with a creative, nurturing vibe. Each session will adhere to a basic structure:
You’ll be amazed by how much writing you can accomplish in 20 focused minutes! |
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The Amherst Way with Jessica Cole
INSTRUCTOR: Jessica Cole
TIME: Tuesdays, 6:30–8:00 p.m. CST PRICE: $100 per month LOCATION: Online via Zoom LEVEL: All levels Whether you’ve never taken a writing class before and want a safe and engaging space to begin, or you want to jumpstart a stalled project, troubleshoot with a trusted group working toward similar goals, be a part of a writing community, and/or co-create a writing practice with baked-in accountability, this class is for you. Too often, we try to make 180-degree changes. But even the smallest change in direction results in an entirely new destination. That is why this class—bedrocked by the Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) method—is so effective: it supports us showing up for ourselves in small, sustainable ways as habits that result in big payoffs. For those of you who have taken the class before, we’ve incorporated your feedback and upgraded it! Like a gym membership, we’ve expanded to a subscription designed to keep us accountable to our goals and consistently part of a supportive community. Inspired by a yearlong AWA course in which instructor Jessica Cole drafted a memoir, subscriptions can be used to begin chipping away at a book-length project by adding written pieces to it every week. We will share insights and troubleshoot issues that arise. You will get help sequencing and making connections in longer pieces from an instructor and group who are growing together. At any point in your writing journey, you’ll be privy to publishing advice and answers to questions about the literary ecosystem from your instructor, the co-founder of a local indie press. Once a week, we'll gather over Zoom. Short craft lessons will be woven in, but the bulk of the class revolves around timed writing prompts as kick-starts. We only offer feedback to each other about what's working in each piece. The point here is to get out of our own ways, sidestep our perfectionist tendencies, get a quick shot of positive feedback, and keep going. The doing is the thing, and the doing of things is easier together. |
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