Craft, Fiction and Manuscript Focus Workshops These workshops allow you to move deeper into your writing practice, be you novice or well-serviced. They will allow you to explore your practice with others as you write to challenging prompts, shake out manuscripts that feel stuck, and give and receive feedback with fellow writers.
Manuscript Developmentand Critique with Jennifer Springsteen 5 Saturdays, every other Saturday: January 9, 23, February 6, 20, March 6 Time: 1-4 pm Location: SW Portland Cost: $120 Co-ed workshop
To register email jennifer@pdxwriters.com Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, or Fiction Move your characters, conflicts and outcomes forward using manuscript-specific prompts. Receive and give thoughtful critique. We will meet every other Saturday giving you more time to read manuscripts, continue writing on your own, or spend quality weekend time however you want!
Note: Informal and totally optional "write-in" opportunities will be offered on "off" Saturdays at libraries or coffee shops. Locations TBA.
First day: bring one typed-double spaced page of your work-in-progress to read aloud to the group (no need for copies) so we can hear the piece in your own voice. We will create a schedule for each participant to bring in manuscript copies for critique. Manuscripts should be no more than 20 pages double-spaced, 12 pt. font. (if working on a novel, or longer work, please choose a chapter or section that requires the most work.) Participants will be responsible for reading, marking, and responding to two manuscripts each session.
In addition to manuscript critiques each week, we will use prompts and do in-workshop writing to tease out the kinks in your current piece and give one another feedback as it pertains to our manuscripts. You may bring a laptop or notebook- your choice.
Revision Workshop with Pat Mullarkey and Alida Thacher Sunday, January 10, 1-5 pm Location: Multnomah Garden Sanctuary, SW Portland Cost: $65
What do you do when you write a piece and you love it too much to change it? The reality is few writers can produce drafts that don’t need revision.
It could be time to step back and look at your story from a different perspective. Join us for an afternoon of exercises in writing and rewriting. We'll explore when and why something in a story should be changed technically or creatively. And we’ll ponder ways to reshape text while staying true to the author’s voice. With over 20 years experience at the Oregonian, Pat Mullarkey will bring an editor's eye to spotting the weak points and working out the kinks. Erotica Workshop with Alida Thacher Sunday, January 17, 1-5 pm Location: NE Portland Cost: $65 Women Only Workshop
Back by popular demand! Take an afternoon to explore the sensual, sexual, erotic writer in you. I promise that you won't be embarrassed or nervous and you will have fun!
Memoir Writing with Jennifer Springsteen 5 Tuesday evenings: January 12-February 9 Time: 7-9:30pm Location: To be announced Cost: $100 co-ed workshop
Join us if you have only just considered writing your memoirs, or if you have multiple chapters stacked in your computer's hard drive. The prompts allow you to flesh out your story and find the threads of your story that need to be told. By workshop's end, you will have a better picture of the focus and intent of your memoir. And a notebook full of great writing.