Attention, aspiring writers! We interrupt this Christmas Eve to bring you an important message about skulls and spines.
No, it's not The Nightmare Before Christmas. It's the Skull & Spine Workshop, taught by two-time Tuesday Funk reader Suzanne Clores. It takes place in Evanston on Sunday evenings from January 8th to February 12th, and this is what it's all about:
Bring an idea. We'll give it some bones.The cost is $225 for the full run of six sessions. Sign-up is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Six sessions will be offered on Sunday evenings in Evanston, with specific focus on the first chapter of your novel/memoir and a working outline. Study of first chapters by Jonathan Franzen, Jennifer Egan, Joan Didion, Donna Tartt, Juno Diaz, Martin Amis and Patti Smith will serve as discussion topics before we workshop each other's chapters-in-progress. This is a fast moving workshop with aggressive deadlines.Prior to each class, participants will present one or several sequential scenes belonging to the first chapter for their work in progress. Classes will begin with a 'round the circle check in on writing process and impressions of the assigned readings. Workshopping each other's submissions will be the bulk of the workshop, with attention to character, action, setting, and possible next steps.
Attendance is limited to five. Each writer will receive weekly written feedback on their scenes and revisions by all participants. The last two sessions will be devoted to crafting a working outline based on methods determined by discussion and exercises. By the end of the workshop, you should have a functioning first chapter and outline to guide you.
Suzanne Clores is the author of Memoirs of a Spiritual Outsider. She blogs for Gaiam and The Nervous Breakdown, has taught in the MA/MFA program at Northwestern University, and is currently revising her debut novel. Contact Suzanne about participating at suzanne@suzanneclores.com.
And here's a handy PDF flyer you can download and print for more info. Write on!
