SEATTLE WRITING CLASSES
Each quarter I offer a Seattle-based writing class in Creative Nonfiction. The emphasis varies from class to class, but all of the courses provide detailed, constructive criticism of your nonfiction stories and book chapters. Class writing assignments often include dramatic scenes, scene by scene construction, character sketches, research and interviewing, and publishing strategies. Class reading assignments focus on contemporary masters of creative nonfiction like Annie Dillard, Tom Wolfe, John McPhee and Joan Didion. In addition, I schedule individual conferences to advise students about their writing and how to take it to the next level.
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Every class requires that participants write a story or book chapter, revise it, and prepare it for publication. This focus on honing and perfecting the prose and finding a suitable outlet for it has resulted in my students making real breakthroughs in their work. Many have gone on to publish their stories in national magazines like Newsweek and the New York Times Magazine and sell their books to prominent publishing houses worldwide. (See Reviews page).
The Seattle writing classes take place Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. in the historic Good Shepherd Center in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood (4649 Sunnyside Avenue North). Enrollment is limited to 15. The classes usually fill several weeks prior to the starting date. Please feel free to contact me if you have more questions and are interested in signing up.
Sincerely,
Nicholas O’Connell
206.284.7121
2008 SEATTLE WRITING CLASSES
Summer - Stalking the Nonfiction Short Story – July 2 - August 6, Wednesday evenings and Monday evenings July 14, 21. $500.
Fall - Revising Your Life - Oct. 15 - Dec. 3. $500.
Winter - The Art of Fact.
Spring - Follow the Story.
Stalking the Nonfiction Story: Seattle Creative Nonfiction Class
This summer I’ll offer a Creative Nonfiction Seminar entitled “Stalking the Nonfiction Story: How to Recognize, Organize and Write Nonfiction Narratives.” This course will demonstrate how to heighten conflict and resolution in nonfiction, greatly enhancing the readability and publishability of the finished piece. You’ll receive detailed, constructive criticism of your nonfiction stories and book chapters. In addition, we’ll discuss dramatic scenes, outlines, cover letters, and other topics of interest to you.
The course will run July 2 to Aug. 6 on Wednesday evenings (and two Monday evenings July 14 and July 21) from 7 to 9 p.m. in Room 221 of the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood (4649 Sunnyside Avenue North).
In addition to the classroom work, I will schedule individual conferences with each student. This will give me a chance to go over your story or book with you one-on-one and suggest ways to improve it. There will be six assignments: a 100- to 250-word story idea or book concept statement, a 250-word dramatic scene, a 25-word outline of your story, a 1500- to 2500-word story or book chapter and its revision, and a cover letter for your story or book. The cost will be $500 per person. Texts: Writing for Story by Jon Franklin; The Art of Fact edited by Kevin Kerrane and Ben Yagoda. Both titles are available at the Elliott Bay Book Company.
To enroll, please send a check to Nick O'Connell for $500 to 201 Newell St., Seattle, WA 98109. The course is limited to 15 participants and usually fills several weeks prior to the start of class. For more information, contact me at nick@thewritersworkshop.net or 206-284-7121.
