A 4-Week Fiction Workshop
Mondays, January 4 - 25, 6-9 PM
“A story is a system for the transfer of energy. Energy made in the early pages gets transferred along through the story, passed from section to section, like a bucket of water headed for a fire, and the hope is that not a drop gets lost.” - George Saunders
In this craft and workshop course you’ll learn how elements of plot and story structure can help you get unstuck in your writing and create compelling narratives of all genres. We will experiment with different modes of story architecture: from the traditional three-act plot, to emotional trajectories and desire arcs. You will learn the fundamentals of narrative beats, how to integrate plot structure with character development, and effective outlining strategies. Each class will include generative exercises, fundamentals of craft, workshopping, and discussion.
This course is suited to writers of all levels. Upon completing the course, you will have drafted a plot outline, gained an understanding of several approaches to plotting, and workshopped beginning, middle, and end scenes from your story.
$215 Members/$285 Nonmembers
Kay Amato has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts in Teaching from The University of Pittsburgh. They live in Maine with their wife, one dog, two cats, and far too many houseplants. Kay has taught high school English, middle school health, and elementary school everything. Kay was born in Florida and lived in twelve different houses before they turned eighteen. Kay's work has been supported by We Need Diverse Books, Porter Square Books, Macondo, VCFA, and the Warren Memorial Foundation. When they’re not writing or reading, Kay can be found running slowly, hiking quickly, pulling weeds in their garden, or cooking recipes from their enormous cookbook collection. You can read Kay's thoughts on books, writing and running on their newsletter Tourist Season.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-200-7180 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due two weeks prior to the workshop start date, at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION