Enrichment >> Writing

  By the end of this course, students will have written a short script, in conformance with movie industry standards, and had it critiqued by a professional. This introductory course is designed to help anyone learn the basics of screenwriting, and covers such fundamentals as screenwriting format, programs, the development of character, and dramatic three-act structure. Computer with word processing program is required; students will need to submit a formatted, typewritten script.  

  Write Your Life Story! Everyone has a story and someone wants to know yours! Begin penning your life story, 2-pages at a time, using in-class activities and weekly themes to stimulate memories and structure your writing. This course creates a comfortable environment for memoirists of all levels, even those who think they’re not writers. Beginners appreciate the simple tips designed to jumpstart their writing, those with more experience welcome the regular assignments that keep them moving forward. While there is no formal literary critique participants share their weekly 2-page vignettes in small groups and provide mutual encouragement. If you want to have fun, make new friends and delight in a wondrous potpourri of personal stories, this class is for you! $8 materials fee payable in class.  

  A poetry workshop should be a safe and sacred place where poets can explore deep emotion and thought. However, if you are seeking a poetry workshop that will simply praise your work, this class is not for you. Our time together will explore your poetry, the poems of other students in the workshop, and the works of masters. For each class, students must bring enough copies of their poems to share with everyone; the workshop will begin with a poetry reading of all poems. We will then work through each poem one-by-one, focusing on understanding what each poet is trying to accomplish. Although students are expected to write at least one original poem for each workshop, do not avoid coming to class because you have not written one. You may learn more about writing by listening to the constructive criticism of other students’ work; and hearing their poems may inspire you in a way that sitting alone with your thoughts may not. Unpublished poets: information available about best submission practices. Class is designed for adults.  

  Students will learn how to develop and complete a manuscript in just 6 weeks following a 10-step plan. Create a page-turner whether writing fiction or non-fiction, cookbook or textbook. Learn how to submit your work to a publisher, self-publish your book and keep the profits, publishing on demand (PODs), and all about ebooks. $15 materials fee payable in class.