Thursday AM Craft Class: Wait List

"Thank you so much - you are a wonderful instructor, you should know this as many times as you've heard it. As a very old teacher I love your touch with people." ~ Helen

This page is for students in the AM Craft Class at The Attic. We are in the midst of taking registration for Winter Term. We begin Jan. 15th at 10:30 a.m. If you are signed up, check out the schedule Virtual Option.

Class Detail:  You will read aloud nine times, five via 2500 word  submission, four via the 500 word essay. We will read a selection of literary essays as well, discuss craft and style, and will hone your ability to write scene. 

My goal, in this class, is to teach dialogue, sensory details, character development, and story flow.  It is also my goal to provide core teachings about plot, structure and character. 

Winter Term:

Jan. 15- Class 1
Reading Assignment: Critique Chapter, 2 page stories by Jess Walters

Workshop Readers: Susan G, Courtney, Joy, Karen,
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 17 copies please. 

Jan. 22: Class 2
Reading Assignment:
Mini Essay in 8 Steps Handout  (email)
Making Distinctions by Hemley (dropbox)

Workshop Readers: Suzi, Rosemary, Robin, Susan Riggs
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 17 copies please. 

Jan. 29:  Class 3 
Two Pg. Essay Assignment (500 words) Prompt: Quirks
This is a 500 word essay, on the topic of your choice, that tells a whole story with a beginning, middle and end. 
 
Reading Assignment: Sticks by George Saunders (dropbox)

Workshop Readers: Lori, Laura Green, Tadimdia, Sarah,
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 17 copies please. 

Feb. 5: Class 4 
Reading Assignment: Hemley, Focusing on Real Life (dropbox)

Workshop Readers: Emily, Patti, Jeanne, Shauna
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 17 copies please. 

Feb. 12: Class 5
Two Pg. Essay Assignment (500 words) Prompt: Pre-Verbal Memory.
This is a 500 word essay, on the topic of your choice, that tells a whole story with a beginning, middle and end. 
 
Reading Assignment:  Beard Preface (dropbox)
This is a 500 word essay, on the topic of your choice, that tells a whole story with a beginning, middle and end. 
 
Workshop Readers:  Susan G, Courtney, Joy, Karen,
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.   Bring 17 copies please. 

Feb. 19: Class 6
Reading Assignment: Showing vs. Telling (dropbox)

Workshop Readers:  Suzi, Rosemary, Robin, Susan Riggs
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.   Bring 17 copies please. 

Feb. 26: Class 7
Two Pg. Essay Assignment (500 words) Prompt: In a Hurry
This is a 500 word essay, on the topic of your choice, that tells a whole story with a beginning, middle and end. 

Reading Assignment: The Race by Sharon Olds (dropbox)

Workshop Readers: Lori, Laura Green, Tadimdia, Sarah,
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.   Bring 17 copies please. 

Mar. 5: Class 8
Reading Assignment:  Chapter Three, Rules of Inheritance by Bidwell Smith (dropbox)

Workshop Readers: Emily, Patti, Jeanne, Shauna
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.   Bring 17 copies please.  

Required Text:  Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller    


Reference texts:  Click on Links or Order Books
Keep it Short by Danny Heitman (Click on link)
Debra Gwartney on Memoir  (click on link) 
Philip Lopate on Writing Personal Essays  (click on link)
Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Story by Robert McKee


SUGGESTED PROGRAM:  Scrivener (free download for 30 days).