Back to All Events

Creating Stories from Thin Air

  • Mechanics' Hall 519 Congress Street Portland United States (map)

A 5-Week Fiction Workshop

Mondays: June 2 - 30, 6-9 PM

“A writer, I think, is someone who pays attention to the world.”

—Susan Sontag

Most fiction originates in reality, often inspired by ordinary events. Stories are all around us, waiting to be observed, reimagined, and put onto the page. In this workshop, you will be exploring the world outside of the classroom, making notes of ordinary scenes on the streets of Portland, and then creating imaginative stories inspired by your observations.

Each week, we will discuss literature that is based on simple events, explore the world beyond the walls, and then write. And write. And write. Based on our observations, we will concentrate on three important elements of the story: Character, Conflict, and Plot.

In search of inspiration? No problem. There is so much inspiration in the world waiting to be seen.

All levels and all genres are welcome.

$275 Members/$475 Nonmembers


Clif Travers is a visual artist and writer living in Portland, Maine. His writing has been featured in Underwood Press, Freeze Frame fiction, Coffin Bell Journal, Crack the Spine Anthology, . His collection of linked stories, The Stones of Riverton, came out from Down East Books in September 2023. Clif received his MFA in creative writing from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine, and he teaches creative writing at Writerfest in New York, The Writing Center in Gloucester Massachusetts, and Maine Media.


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 207-200-7180 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 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 by April 30 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

Earlier Event: May 31
A Celebration of Write ME
Later Event: June 7
June Jumpstart!