A 5-Week Hybrid Fiction Workshop
Thursdays, February 8th-March 7th
ALL LEVELS
All fiction has a narrator. As in life, the perspective of that narrator shapes the story as much as any plot twist or emotional revelation. There are no limits on what a story or novel’s perspective can be, but a consistent and coherent perspective creates voice, informs structure, and earns a reader’s trust, communicating clearly that they are entering a distinct and fully-realized universe.
Too many discussions of perspective never get beyond first- or third-person, with perhaps a vague mention of omniscience. But a consistent perspective requires knowing much more than simply who or what a narrator is. Perspective is also a product of when the narrator is writing, why she's writing, what she thinks about the story she’s telling, what kind of document she imagines she's creating, and more. Often this information remains implicit, the product of subtle craft choices that a reader feels as much as notices.
Workshop participants will exchange in-progress stories or novel excerpts and engage in focused, craft-based conversation about the goals of each piece, its strengths, and how it can be focused and refined. Participants will receive written feedback from the instructor as well as feedback from other participants. Each meeting will include the discussion of two participant stories as well as a craft lecture about fiction’s perspective, with specific topics chosen in response to the group’s work and interests.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur both ONLINE via Zoom and IN-Person. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the class and the location if they are attending in-person.
+ MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENT After registering, participants are asked to submit a short story or novel excerpt of 5000-words or less, by no later than 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2nd. Please take this deadline and word limit seriously as late submissions likely cannot be accepted, and excess words will be cut. Please note that these manuscripts will be distributed in advance via email to the other workshop participants. Please email the manuscript to taryn@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “MERRILL WORKSHOP MSS.” *Please use standard formatting (1” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt font), and Word docs (ideally) or PDFs only.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
Judson Merrill grew up in Maine, studied literature and writing at Brown University, and received his MFA from Brooklyn College, where he also taught writing for several years. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Iowa Review, Chicago Review, The Massachusetts Review, The Southampton Review, Unstuck, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and other publications. He has been an Artist in Residence at Millay Colony, Ox-Bow, Lighthouse Works, Guild Hall, and Hewnoaks. He now teaches at the University of Southern Maine.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
$275 Members/$485 Nonmembers
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Email programs@mainewriters.org to see if the scholarship is still available. Application Due by January 24th at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION