This workshop is full. To be added to the waitlist, email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org.
A 5-Week Fiction Workshop
THURSDAYS, JANUARY 20 TO FEBRUARY 17
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
While writers of all kinds face many of the same craft and storytelling challenges, there is no formula or maxim on which they can all rely. Instead, to arm themselves for the enduring challenges of revision, writers must learn to see their work both for what it is and what it could be. This workshop will reckon with participants’ work-in-progress, assess the choices already made, and search for ways each piece can become more fully itself. Discussions will place a special focus on structure—so foundational that it can be difficult to see clearly and so fundamental that it touches every part of a story. Even in narrative fiction, events alone do not give a piece its structure, its rhythm, its movement. Equally important are the management of time, perspective, form, expectation, revelation, prose, and tone.
By considering each piece’s unique ambition and how different structures might complement that ambition, participants will have the chance to explore a host of creative challenges and the strengths and weaknesses of various solutions. Workshop participants will exchange in-progress stories or novel excerpts and engage in focused, craft-based conversation about the goals of each piece, its strengths, and how it can be focused and refined. Participants will receive written feedback from the instructor as well as feedback from other participants. Each meeting will include the discussion of two participant stories as well as a craft lecture about fiction’s structure, with specific topics chosen in response to the group’s work and interests.
+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to submit a short story or novel excerpt of 5000-words or less, by no later than 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 11th. Please take this deadline and word limit seriously as late submissions likely cannot be accepted, and excess words will be cut. Please note that these manuscripts will be distributed in advance via email to the other workshop participants. Please email the manuscript to programs@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “MERRILL WORKSHOP MSS.” *Please use standard formatting (1” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt font), and Word docs (ideally) or PDFs only.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online via Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. On Thursday, January 13, from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, MWPA staff will offer a tech help session on Zoom. Students are encouraged to attend the tech help session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, if they have any tech concerns, use Zoom infrequently, or simply would like to test their connection, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
Judson Merrill grew up in Maine, studied literature and writing at Brown University, and received his MFA from Brooklyn College, where he also taught writing for several years. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Iowa Review, Chicago Review, The Massachusetts Review, The Southampton Review, Unstuck, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and other publications. He has been an Artist in Residence at Millay Colony, Ox-Bow, Lighthouse Works, Guild Hall, and Hewnoaks. He now teaches at the University of Southern Maine.
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 Meghan Sterling at programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 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 on January 13 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