How to Narrate, Construct Character, and Build Scenes
In this all-day intensive workshop, New York Times best-selling author Steve Almond will lead participants through the essentials of storytelling and craft, including how to create dramatic scenes, unforgettable characters, and an irresistible narrator. Students will work on in-class exercises to help bring the lessons home.
Excerpts from novels, essays, and stories will be provided to illustrate each craft concept. The craft concepts that will be discussed apply to any genre of prose (essay, memoir, short story, creative nonfiction), and to any level writer.
Almond advises, “Writers should come prepared to learn more in one day than they thought possible!”
*This workshop includes an hour lunch break.
+ PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will occur online, using the video meeting platform Zoom, which means students may participate from anywhere with a fast, reliable internet connection. 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, May 14, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, MWPA’s Hannah Perry will be available for a test session on Zoom. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the test session, 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.
Steve Almond is the author most recently of William Stoner and the Battle for the Inner Life. His other books of fiction and nonfiction include the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football. His short stories have appeared in the Best American Short Stories, McSweeney’s, The Pushcart Prize, Tin House, Best American Erotica, and Best American Mysteries series. His essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, and elsewhere. For four years, he hosted the New York Times podcast “Dear Sugars” with fellow writer Cheryl Strayed. Almond teaches at the Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via PayPal. 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.
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QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Hannah Perry at hannah@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 the 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 full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on May 4 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.
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