Mastering Writing Skills by Joy Sablatura The San Miguel Literary Sala will present four skill-building writers’ workshops and a memoir master class online in October.
The World Wants to Make You a Better Writer with David Dykes: This workshop will use a combination of writing exercises, examples from great works of fiction, using sensory details and patterns of revelation in your life, as well as inspiration arising from interactive imaginative activities to make you a better writer and to break through your blocks and limitations. Oct. 18 & 20, 5:30–7:00 p.m. CDT.
The Divine Details: The Key Ingredient in Creative Nonfiction with David Ramsey: Details are the precise notes that allow a piece of writing to sing. We’ll examine how details show the reader something clear, specific, and unforgettable. We’ll explore how to hone your powers of observation to make your writing vivid and punchy, using three key elements of effective details: specificity, purpose, and surprise. Oct. 18 & 20, 3:00–4:30 p.m. CDT.
Jumpstart Your Story: Building Energy from Beginning to End with Susan Meyers: This intensive workshop is designed to help you get started — or to recharge — your novel or memoir project by delving into several less frequently studied narrative tools. In this class, we’ll delve into these craft areas (momentum, shaping, time, and information release) to see how they work — and how you can apply them to shape your own story. Oct. 19, 4:00–7:00 p.m. CDT.
“To Be or Not To Be” — The Art of Writing Compelling Monologues with Tom Coash: Monologues are booming in popularity, and they can be many things, a confession, a sermon, a song, a speech, but what they can’t be is forced or fake. The audience must totally buy into a character and their intentions to put up with a long speech. This seminar will take a close look at successful monologues and use playwriting/theater techniques plus writing exercises to give you a fun, fresh look at the art of single-handed spiels. Oct. 19 & 21, 3:00–4:30 p.m. CDT.