Literature and Writing   

“Life Reflections as Story and Art” uses mind mapping techniques, meaningful objects and themed story collections to celebrate and preserve your stories in writing and art. Practice photo analysis, interviewing skills and recall favorite quotations, life lessons, treasures and traditions. NEW “Life Reflections” booklet includes numerous handouts and story resources.

This class is designed for students who have already taken Beginning Memoir Writing. We will continue work with your memoirs, introducing new writing concepts as necessary. Every week participants will be given a prompt, which they may wish to respond to.

As a freelance editor, I'm frequently asked, "I have a draft done. Now what?" The answer is, "Rewrite." But rewriting an entire book can be overwhelming. This workshop will help you enjoy the process and give you the tools you need to get it done. Topics include: character growth, upping the stakes, self-editing, stronger beginnings and endings, and infusing theme into your story. In-class writing exercises and critiquing will set you up for success! This hands-on workshop is designed for novelists and memoirists with a complete draft of their manuscript.

Edgar Allen Poe defined the short story as a narrative that can be read at one sitting. Developing out of the abundance of American magazines published in the mid-nineteenth century, the modern short story is particularly associated with American writers. In this class, we will read and discuss four short stories by American writers (one each week) published in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We will read and discuss: "The Story of an Hour" - Kate Chopin; "The Chrysanthemums" - John Steinbeck; "The Lottery" - Shirley Jackson; "The Leap" - Louise Erdrich

Bonnie Garmus’ novel, Lessons in Chemistry, is laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters. Her main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a formidable and inspiring scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.

“The Personal Librarian” tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted identity. This remarkable novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, is about Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian. 

“The Personal Librarian” tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted identity. This remarkable novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, is about Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian. 

Have a book you've been dying to write? This workshop will help you get the first half of your novel or memoir down on paper! In just 5 weeks, you'll learn to use character, plot and setting to launch your story. Other topics include: creating a schedule, development plot , and overcoming writer's block. In-class writing exercises and one-on-one conferences with the instructor will set you up for success. This hands-on workshop is open to writers of all experience levels.

Bonnie Garmus’ novel, Lessons in Chemistry, is laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters. Her main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a formidable and inspiring scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.