This workshop is full. To be added to the waitlist, email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org.
A 10 Week Fiction Workshop
Mondays April 4th through June 6th
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Anyone can start a novel; that's when it's fun, exciting, all possibility and no problems. For about fifty pages the thing practically writes itself—and then something happens. Narrative difficulties emerge and accumulate. Doubt creeps in. You falter, or quit altogether.
This is not merely a common experience among novelists of all levels of experience and accomplishment; it's a universal one. The writers who succeed and bring their books in for a landing share two things in common: they prioritize their work over everything else, and they utilize common strategies for dealing with the roadblocks all writers encounter, such as protecting one’s writing time, writing what one wants to regardless of how it might be received, overcoming fear of making one’s writing public, etc.
In this course, participants will discuss and practice these strategies, as well as study John Gardner’s seminal text On Becoming a Novelist. In addition, the class will workshop early chapters from participants' own novels.
+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to submit a manuscript (a novel excerpt) of up to 5,000 words by no later than 9:00 a.m. on March 21st. Please email the manuscript as an attachment (Word files are preferred, but PDFs are acceptable) to programs@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “CURRIE WORKSHOP MSS.” Please help MWPA conserve paper by using standard formatting (1” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman) and keeping spacing between sections to a minimum (e.g. no title page).
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online via Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. On Thursday, March 31 from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, MWPA staff will offer a tech help session on Zoom. Students are encouraged to attend the tech help session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, if they have any tech concerns, use Zoom infrequently, or simply would like to test their connection, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ 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.
Ron Currie, Jr. was born and raised in Maine, where he still lives. His first book, God is Dead, won the Young Lions Fiction Award from the New York Public Library and the Addison M. Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His debut novel, Everything Matters!, has been translated into a dozen languages, and was an Indie Next Pick and Amazon Best selection. Currie’s second novel, Flimsy Little Plastic Miracles, was hailed as his "most grounded work yet and perhaps his darkest" by the New Yorker. His most recent novel is The One-Eyed Man. Currie’s short fiction has appeared in many magazines and anthologies, including Alaska Quarterly Review, The Sun, Ninth Letter, Swink, The Southeast Review, Glimmer Train, Willow Springs, The Cincinnati Review, Harpur Palate, and New Sudden Fiction (W.W. Norton, 2007).
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 Meghan Sterling at programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
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 Scholarship slot has been filled. 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. Application Due on March 17 at 9:00 a.m.
→ MORE INFORMATION
MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION