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The Things People Say

This workshop is full. To be added to the waitlist, email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org.

Writing Effective Dialogue in Fiction and Memoir

Level: All Levels

Do you ever find while writing fiction or memoir that your dialogue feels “flat” or uninspired? In this class, we will explore the different functions of dialogue in prose writing and discuss how to enliven it so that it zings. Dialogue can be used to contribute to character development, to summarize situations, and to reveal emotional subtext (often in direct contrast to character action!). Well-written dialogue not only captures the unique, specific voices of your characters, it also can also help you structure and revise scenes. Using a series of examples from literature and film, we will analyze and discuss a variety of approaches to getting at the things people do (and don’t) say. Then we’ll write some dialogue of our own and see how it can add depth and nuance to stories and essays alike.

+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to contribute a brief (one-two paragraph) description of a character from their own writing by no later than 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 6. 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: “WHITON WORKSHOP CHARACTER.” *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.



Writer and editor Tanya Whiton’s fiction has recently been featured in Collateral, CutBank, Fanzine, The Cincinnati Review, and Beer & Weed Magazine. A finalist for the 2019 Tennessee Williams Contest, she won second place in Zoetrope: All Story’s 2017 Short Fiction Contest. She is also the co-writer and an associate producer of the documentary feature THE ZEN SPEAKER: BREAKING THE SILENCE. A two-time recipient of the Martin Dibner Memorial Fellowship for Maine writers (once for fiction, once for poetry) Tanya has also received New England Press Association Awards for her nonfiction work. In collaboration with photographer Heidi Killion, she published Two for the Road: Adventures in Maine—a collection of travel essays—in 2014. A former Associate Director of the Solstice MFA in Creative Writing Program, Tanya teaches creative writing and professional development skills for writers, and has created seminars for the Solstice MFA Program, Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, Lesley University, and the Stonecoast Writers’ Conference. Visit: https://www.tanyakwhiton.com/


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 full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on January 6 at 9:00 a.m.
→ MORE INFORMATION

MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION

Earlier Event: January 11
Talking to Other Poems
Later Event: January 19
Gather 43