Winter 2004 Workshops at Writers & Books

Non-Fiction

Biting the Bullet: Learning to Read & Edit Your Work Critically

• One Saturday, April 24, 10 am–12:30 pm
• $20 W&B members / $25 general public
• Instructor: Donna Marbach [ bio ]

Writing a story, memoir, or poem can be a wonderfully uplifting experience. Then comes the moment when you share it with others.

Writers often find that the things they like best about their writing meet with resistance and objection when readers and editors review the same material. Anyone who hopes to publish must also learn to read drafts critically and edit his or her own work with impartiality.

In this workshop, the instructor will acquaint writers of all kinds with the editing process, including grammar, concision, when to change caps from author to editor, and much more. This workshop will be helpful to beginning writers as well as a great refresher for those more practiced. Bring a notebook for writing exercises.

My Thoughts Exactly: Column Writing for Beginners

• Two Thursdays, April 8 & 15, 6–8 pm
• $36 W&B members / $40 general public
• Instructor: Robbi Hess [ bio ]

Are you the kind of person who has an opinion on just about everything? Do you have knowledge in a particular area of study or field of interest that you would like to impart to the masses? If so, this may be the perfect class.

Columnists are everywhere: newspapers, magazines, on-line, etc. This course will show students how to expand their ideas, brainstorm topics, hone their writing skills, and approach markets. The instructor will guide participants in some in-class writing exercises, and everyone will have an opportunity to see their pieces edited.

(Writing for Trade Magazines also recommended.)

Writing for Today’s Business Professional

• Four Saturdays, 10 am–Noon, January 17, 24, February 7, 21
• $72 W&B members / $80 general public
• Instructor: Mike Doolin [ bio ]

In this four-part workshop, participants will first learn how to compose and critique creative business communications like emails, memos, complaint letters, resumes, and more.

In later sessions, the instructor will delve into effective marketing communications:

• What’s the difference between advertising and PR?
• What are the basics of effective print pieces?
• How do you get big bang out of small bucks?

Whether you’re a corporate executive or a small-business person, this class is perfect for anyone looking to improve style, productivity, and effectiveness in communicating in the business world.

Journaling & Its Sources

• Eight Thursdays, January 22 – March 11, 6–8 pm
• $140 W&B members / $160 general public
• Instructor: L. John Cieslinski [ bio ]

In this workshop, students will examine the many approaches and different styles of journaling and what it has to offer creatively inclined individuals.

Literature, poetry, response, games, questioning, diary, and more will be discussed. Finding different techniques to jumpstart writing can be crucial to the creative process, not to mention great fun. The instructor will also guide students in mining their journal material for pieces of writing they might someday wish to finish and publish.

Writing for Trade Magazines

• One Saturday, January 31, 10 am–2 pm
• $36 W&B members / $40 general public
• Instructor: Mary Anne Donovan [ bio ]

Times are tough for freelancers these days, but the trade magazine market can provide interesting opportunities for enthusiastic, motivated, and tenacious writers.

• What opportunities are out there?
• How do you find them?
• How do you break into the market?

The instructor will focus on all of these things in this informational course, as well as writing an irresistible query letter, getting assignments, and developing strong, professional relationships with editors.

Plan for a brief lunch break. (My Thoughts Exactly also recommended.)

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