Workshops
Introduction to the Novel Every other Monday, 6:00 – 8:30 pm May 13- July 22 6 Sessions Instructor: Christopher Rosales This workshop will help writers tackle what may seem like the overwhelming task of writing a novel. Whether you’re looking for guidance to help you along in your current drafts or are just beginning to face the novel challenge, Chris and peers will provide insight and direction to ease you into the process. Looking at tension and maintaining or heightening it, the differences between short story and novel chapter structures, selecting the best point of view and time span, character introductions, and pacing, Intro to the Novel promises an enlightening, encouraging experience to aid you in your novel-writing, present or future. Creative Writing 101: The Axe in the Ice Every other Monday, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
May 20 – July 29
6 Sessions
Instructor: Christopher Rosales Have you ever wanted to write your own vibrant fiction story with provocative characters and rousing plots? Ever thought about how much you’d love the chance to explore and share your life experiences in the form of a personal essay, but weren’t sure where to start? If you’re interested in finding out how creative writing works -in all its forms and genres- or are simply looking for a way to flex your imaginative muscles, let Christopher Rosales expose you to a wide variety of writing techniques and become acquainted with the kind of work that’s being published today. This workshop will also help you identify the compelling elements of creative writing and encourage you to produce original pages. This 6-session workshop will provide plenty of opportunities to receive feedback from both Chris and your fellow writers. So whether you’ve written a hundred pages or none at all, anyone curious about creative writing is encouraged to join us! Advanced Screenwriting Every other Tuesdays, 6:00-8:30pm May 21 – August 27 8 Sessions Instructor: Robert Gatewood Accomplished novelist, instructor, screenwriter, and studio president, Robert Gatewood directs this workshop intended for screenwriters with experience in the screenplay form. Under Robert’s lauded professional mentorship, students will be driven by a simple but profound goal: to produce as many draft pages of a full-length screenplay as possible [85–120 pages, approx.], with each writer taking their art & craft to a new level. Bi-weekly workshops will include a rotation of conversations about The Elements of Screenwriting, mini-peer work-shops, screenings, cold readings, live exercises, in-studio writing time, and ongoing individual mentoring with Robert. We will also build into the existing schedule a pair of “lockdown” sessions — 4-6 hour blocks during which we will convene and strictly make new pages. A fundamental understanding of the screenplay form and format are prerequisite to the workshop. Creative Non-Fiction
Every other Wednesday, 6:00-8:30pm
May 15 – July 24
6 Sessions
Instructor: Jim McVey From memoir to magazine article, creative nonfiction is evolving in new and exciting directions. In this workshop, we will explore the rich terrain of creative non-fiction, including memoir, literary journalism, nature writing, biography and history. Jim will help students transform their expertise, experience and observations into compelling stories. Every attempt will be made to customize the workshop, including exercises, reading assignments and writing “prompts” tailored to each participant’s project. Writers also will have the opportunity to submit original work and receive thoughtful feedback from the instructor and their peers. In addition to hands-on editorial advice, Studio instructors will draw on their professional experience to coach participating writers on both the publishing and writing processes. Poetry Writing Every other Wednesday, 6:00-8:30pm May 22 – July 31 6 Sessions Instructor: Serena Chopra Poetry is best taught by learning different poetic styles and approaches. We guide student poets in exploring new poetic thoughts and value systems. We will look at both historical and contemporary works — including William Carlos Williams, Gertrude Stein, Julie Carr, Andrea Rexilius, Lyn Hejinian, Andrew Joron, Eleni Sikelianos, the Romantics, Allen Ginsberg, Marianne Moore, and Lisa Robertson. Writing exercises will allow participants to explore each poetic approach in their own style and voice. There will also be strong emphasis on individual work, including peer-assisted and instructor-supported improvement. The main object is to understand and hone one’s own poetic voice and style through the exploration of craft and poetic thought. Flash Fiction
Every other Thursday, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
May 16 – July 25
6 Sessions
Instructor: Clay Carlson Want to get started writing fiction but don’t have much time? “A good flash story is intense, urgent and often a little explosive,” states writer Nuala NiChonchiur, and “afterward, it lingers.” With their ability to go straight to the heart of human experience by combing poetry’s brevity and power with the accessibility of fiction, short short stories, or “flash” fiction, are in demand. Each week, participating writers will complete a series of stories at home and during workshop from motivational prompts created by the instructor. Writers will read and discuss a number of flash stories to understand how this genre differs and what makes a concise and resonant flash fiction. Because new writers are often discovered through flash stories, we will also take a close look at the market—during the final workshop participants will workshop revisions of their best stories in preparation for submittal to contests, web sites, and publications. This workshop is suitable for both experienced and beginning writers wanting to jumpstart their writing journey. Writing the Short Story Every other Thursday, 6:00 – 8:30 pm May 23 – August 1 6 Sessions Instructor: Clay Carlson Always wanted to write a story but weren’t sure where to begin? Already working on a story and want encouragement and dynamic feedback? Take this summer writing journey with Clay Carlson – noted essayist, novelist, instructor and graduate of the University of Iowa’s prestigious MFA program – as he guides both novice and experienced writers seeking to start up or recharge their creative pursuits. We will begin with a series of short motivational exercises with the goal of completing 1-2 short stories (or chapters of a novel) by the end of summer. In addition to reviewing fiction fundamentals, workshops will focus on discussion of our original work and readings of both published short stories and essays on the Art of Fiction. Comics & Graphic Novels Fridays, 6:00 – 8:30 pm May 17 – June 21 6 Sessions Instructor: Melanie Gillman Have an idea for a comic strip, comic book, or graphic novel? Learn how to turn that idea into a finished product! This course will cover everything you need to know to start making your own comics, from writing scripts to drawing finished pages to publishing. Over the course of six weeks, students will be guided hands-on through the process of turning their story into a polished, original comic book, and have the chance to print their work and share it with the class. Students will also learn about the comics publishing industry, and how to publish their comics for today’s print and digital markets. All artistic levels welcome! The Year of the Novel Wednesdays, 6:00-8:30pm September 26 – September 25 25 Sessions; $1200/$1080 members Instructor: Robert Gatewood As famed novelist and creative writing instructor John Gardner puts it, “One must be just a little bit crazy to write a great novel.” So too one must be to take part in this unprecedented year-long novel writing workshop. If you’re still reading, here are the benefits: consistent in-depth instruction, mentorship and peer review; illustrative readings & analysis; camaraderie and commiseration; intense sense of purpose; ongoing support and tangible proof of forward momentum; the potential for a euphoric sense of accomplishment come September 2013. Writing a book takes guts. Finishing one takes grit. Interested parties should contact instructor Robert Gatewood prior to taking the plunge. Registration CLOSED/FULL
Mini Workshops
It Won’t Bite Date & Time TBABe our guest… No charge! Panel discussion by BWS Instructors and Advanced Students Want to unleash your creative bug, but wondering how to start? Get to know the Studio with a discussion on how to tame the blank page, find the story within you, create your voice, and become the writer you’d like to be. Boulder Writing Studio instructors and advanced students will share tips, ideas, and inspirations. Freelance Writing: Getting Started and Building your Career Saturday June 8 3:00 – 5:30 pm Instructor: Jenny Shank How do you query editors to find those first jobs, and how do you make the first assignments lead to more? We’ll discuss Neil Gaiman’s rules for freelance writers, learn how to find venues that are open to new writers, study examples of query letters and write some of our own, and figure out how to establish yourself as a specialist so that eventually editors will seek you out! Jenny has been a freelance writer of essays and articles about books, music, sports, and travel for fifteen years, and she looks forward to addressing the particular interests of each student.