AWCS
2018 Winter Weekly Courses
Location:
@cSpace King Edward
Suite 460, 1721, 29th Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2T 6T7
Online:
http://www.alexandrawriters.org/what-we-offer/courses/
Note: If this brochure differs from the website, the website should be considered accurate
Contents
8 Week Evening Courses ...... 3
8 Week Daytime Courses...... 5
10 Week Evening Courses...... 6
10 Week Daytime Courses...... 7
12 Week Evening Courses...... 8
12 Week Daytime Courses...... 9
8 WEEK EVENING COURSES
Free Verse Revival
Laurie Fuhr
Mondays | 7PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $200January 8, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
Free verse poetry lives in Calgary! In this course for beginner and intermediate poets, we will live and breathe the spark of poetry. We will explore the continued (if masked) relevance of poetry, discuss a few of the most fun and interesting personality and style-driven poetry movements that have made history more colourful, and learn from one another, sharing our favourite poems and poets. We'll use both individual and group generative activities to write poems weekly, in class and at home (or in your favourite cafe). We will be visited and read to by a couple of great local writers, and keeners will have the option of attending poetry readings or writing meetups outside of class, accompanied by or guided by the instructor. We'll also explore publishing opportunities and create our own micropress chapbook. We will unabashedly love reading and writing poetry! Each week will feature a different poetic focus and at least one generative writing activity.
Note: No class February 19 for Family Day.
Creative Writing Level I
Lori Hahnel
Wednesdays | 7PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $200January 24, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
In this eight-week course, you will learn about the free fall method of writing and how it can be a useful tool for all writing. Learn how to create images a reader will remember. Then, using the short story as a model, you will be introduced to the basics of character, plot, dialogue and setting through discussion, free fall writing, practical writing exercises and mutual feedback.
No experience necessary.
Writing Memoir
Karen Lee
Mondays | 7PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $200March 19, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
Are you interested in telling your life story, or exploring your family's history through storytelling? Do you have a unique journey you'd like to write about, either for yourself or for an audience? Find a starting point to share your story. Learn how to choose relevant information about your life and episodes that will grab your reader's attention. Develop skills that will help you tell the story of your lifetime.
The Artist's Way
Caroline Russell-King
Thursdays | 7PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $200March 22, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
The Artist's Wayis the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist's life. Still as vital today–or perhaps even more so–than it was when it was first published one decade ago. Playwright Caroline Russell-King will lead you through the 12 steps to creating provocative and inspiring work and personal artistic success whether you are a poet, playwright, prose writer or visual artist.
Creative Writing Level II
Lori Hahnel
Wednesdays | 7 PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $200March 28, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
In Creative Writing Level II, you will expand on what you already learned and gomore in depth with the important story elements: character, plot, dialogue, world, flashbacks and more, through discussion, free fall writing, interactive exercises and mutual feedback. Learn about different genres such as literary vs. commercial fiction, creative non-fiction, writing for children and poetry to help focus your path.This class introduces writers to critiquing other's work and receiving feedback in a practical and supportive atmosphere.
Recommended Prerequisite: Creative Writing Level I or equivalent
8 WEEK DAYTIME COURSES
Writing the Wilderness
Vivian Hansen
Tuesdays | 10AM - 12:30 PM / Member Price: $200January 14, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
Explore your character against the backdrop of wilderness, how does s/he move and act against this great big setting. Is your character actually the wild setting, the tone, the balance in the plot? How does the wilderness speak to your character and enact dialogue? We will workshop and refine stories in this class, as well as poetry and creative nonfiction, with a goal to completing a finished wilderness story.
Writing a Memoir When Your Story is Difficult
Karen Lee
Wednesdays | 10AM - 1PM / Member Price: $240March 14, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $300
Do you have a difficult story to tell? Things from your past that you've tucked into the back of your memory? More and more, people are realizing that getting those stories down on paper is therapeutic and valuable – the popularity of memoir is exploding. This course will focus on three-parts – the writing skills required, the journey of change you want to write about, and having the courage and persistence needed to tackle difficult personal subjects. Self-care will be discussed. We will tackle dialogue, character sketches, scene setting, and your story arc – using parts of your story you want to tell. If you are interested in engaging in the often therapeutic task of memoir writing, start a retrospective journal now – jot down those memories, however small and fleeting, in a notebook, compile pictures of the past, or assemble meaningful objects. Then bring these to class. Going public with stories from real life is completely different from getting your story down on paper, so the decision to publish will be discussed. Three recommended readings are: "The Memoir Project" by Marion Roach Smith, "Why We Write about Ourselves" Ed. Meredith Maran and "Your Life as Story" by Tristine Rainer.
Creative Writing: Pen to Paper
Maraya Loza Koxhan
Thursdays | 10AM - 12PM / Member Price: $200January 18, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $250
Do you have a story burning inside you? Want to try writing for fun? Creative Writing: Pen to Paper is designed for the brand new writer or hobbyist. Spend 8 weeks learning where ideas come from, how to unlock your creative potential in a new way and bring words and images to the page in a fun and supportive environment. Lots of writing involved.
No experience necessary.
10 WEEK EVENING COURSES
Writing Speculative Fiction
Susan Forest
Wednesdays | 7 PM - 9:30 PM / Member Price: $250January 10, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $310
Speculative fiction is a broad category that includes any element that is not currently part of our real world, including Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and their subgenres. Many writers of one form also write in one or more of the others, and all are growing in importance and popularity. This course will examine the elements that define these genres: which conventions are expected by readers of a genre, and which clichés to avoid. We will also examine writing techniques that underpin successful commercial fiction, what editors are looking for in terms of writing quality and professionalism, and what steps a startingauthor should take when approaching a magazine for publication. Come to this course prepared to workshop your own short stories or novel openings, to improve your craft with the goal of publication.
Introduction to Playwriting
Caroline Russell-King
Thursdays | 7 PM - 9:30 PM / Member Price: $250January 11, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $310
Playwriting- with possible stage production!: This is a fantastic opportunity! Join professional playwright Caroline Russell-King in conjunction with Urban Stories Theatre as you learn how take your ideas and craft them for the stage. Discover how to adapt your other writing or just bring in your "idea file"and come learn the craft of playwriting. Find out industry tips, discover the secrets of the business and what it takes to get from page to stage! Professional actors will read excerpts of all the plays and one of the participants will receive a production by Urban Stories Theatre in Calgary! This class is for beginners and more experienced alike.
Introduction to Freelance Writing
Olyn Ozbick
Thursdays | 7PM - 9:30 PM / Member Price: $250January 18, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $310
Do you want to write for magazines, newspapers or the internet but don't know how to get started? Learn the basics of how to find fresh ideas, publish in multiple markets, incorporate research and write informative, inspiring and entertaining articles that assignment editors will love. You will do practice exercises to build on your new skills, and learn how to craft query letters that will get the attention of busy editors. Throughout the course students will develop well-targeted ideas, refine their queries and get ready to start writing for editors.
10 WEEK DAYTIME COURSES
Creative Non-Fiction
Ellen Kelly
Wednesdays | 10AM - 12:30 PM / Member Price: $250January 10, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $310
Do you have true stories to tell? Experiences you would like to share? Skeletons in your closet that you want to write about? Passionate feelings about a subject that you would like to explore? This eight-week course gives participants the opportunity to find deeper meaning in their writing by experimenting with various creative non-fiction formats, including the personal essay. We will discuss characterization, scene, narration, theme, voice, truth, and markets/publication. Specific interests of the class participants will be addressed and participants will be encouraged to write both briefly in class and more extensively at home. Sharing is encouraged.
12 WEEK EVENING COURSES
Advanced Short Story Workshop
Jani Krulc
Mondays | 7 PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $300January 15, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $375
Already have a few short stories under your belt? Familiar with the basic techniques and structure of the short story form? It's time to take it to the next level. Bring a manuscript in progress or a complete draft to this thoughtful, critique-focused class. Learn how to apply the lessons from writing exercises to your own work. Incorporate feedback from your peers and the instructor to improve your next draft. Polish your short stories!
Creative Writing Basics
Olyn Ozbick
Tuesdays | 7 PM - 9:30 PM / Member Price: $375January 16, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $470
This course is a combination of Creative Writing Level I & II in 12 weeks. It's designed for the beginner writer who knows they want to write or maybe haven't taken a creative writing class in a long time. Learn the basics of writing: character, setting, plot, dialogue and more, to get you well on your way to writing great short stories, creative nonfiction or novel length manuscripts. You can expect lecture, discussion, in-class writing exercises, workshopping and lots of writing.
3-Month Novel Project
Sarah L. Johnson
Tuesdays | 7 PM - 9 PM / Member Price: $300March 6, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $375
Powering through to a complete first draft in 12 weeks! This course is all about what Anne Lamott famously refers to as "shitty first drafts." A gentler more realistic version of the well known 30-day challenge, 3MoNoPro is designed to offer the support, information, and tough love you need to get you across that finish line to your very own garbage, but nevertheless complete, first draft. Each class will look at a different element of writing with an eye toward finding inspiration in our obstacles. Through exercises, word count tracking, and sharing our shitty pages, we'll cheer each other on and finish what we start. This course is for writers of all levels.Whether you're just starting, half way through or almost done a manuscript, sign up and by week 12 you could very well be typing THE END.
12 WEEK DAYTIME COURSES
Creative Writing Basics
Maddie Wong
Tuesdays | 10 AM - 12:30 PM / Member Price: $375January 9, 2018 / Non-Member Price: $470
This course is a combination of Creative Writing Level I & II in 12 weeks. It's designed for the beginner writer who knows they want to write or maybe haven't taken a creative writing class in a long time. Learn the basics of writing: character, setting, plot, dialogue and more, to get you well on your way to writing great short stories, creative nonfiction or novel length manuscripts. You can expect lecture, discussion, in-class writing exercises, workshopping and lots of writing.
OUR SPONSORS
The Alexandra Writers' Centre Society is supported by:
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