This winter I'm offering a variety of writing workshops and classes at both the Renaissance Academy of FGCU AND the ACE (Adult & Community Education) program in Collier County.
Writing Workshops at Renaissance Academy
Click here to register for Renaissance Academy courses.
A Novel Experience: Start Writing Your Book
Wednesday, January 21, 28, February 4, & 11 – 1:30-3:30 p.m.
at Naples Center (5th Ave & 10th Street)
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Have you always wanted to write a book but do not know how to begin? Then this workshop is for you. You will learn the stages in the writing process as you plan and organize your book, and explore characterization and plotting along with basic fiction elements. Those interested in writing nonfiction will learn the importance of back-matter, envisioning the layout, using photos and diagrams, and other details important to successful nonfiction. All writing levels welcome. Bring a summary of your writing project or idea to the first class.
Course: NC6640 | $85 members / $100 non-members
Writing Short Stories
Wednesday, February 18, 25, March 4, & 11– 1:30-3:30 p.m.
at Naples Center (5th Ave & 10th Street)
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Do you enjoy reading short stories? Would you like to write fiction but do not have time to devote to a novel? Write a short story! In this class, designed for beginners or anyone wishing to explore short stories, participants will learn from published examples while applying short fiction techniques to their own writing. We will explore conflict, characterization, viewpoint, and description as they contribute to plot. Tips on using viewpoint and sensory detail to engage readers, as well as story length and structure, will be covered.
Course: NC6651 | $85 members / $100 non-members
Writing Craft – Become a Better Writer
(the 3-week series of writing craft sessions)
Wednesday, March 18, 25, & April 1 – 1:30-3p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Participants may register for the entire series (NC6652) or for any of the individual lectures below. Dramatically improve your writing skills with this series of workshops and in-class writing exercises. The series will focus on the most important elements of character development, plot, and dialogue.
Course: NC6652 | $70 members / $85 non-members
Writing Craft: Character Development (1 week)
Wednesday, March 18 – 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Having trouble creating characters that the reader believes could be a real person? In this craft class, we will focus on how to turn cardboard characters into well-rounded personalities that will engage readers. Participants will also learn how to incorporate the essential parts into the story or novel. Students will complete several in-class exercises with time to share and discuss for improvement.
Course: NC6653 | $29 members / $35 non-members
Writing Craft: Plot (1 week)
Wednesday, March 25 – 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. In this craft class, we will complete several fun in-class activities to demonstrate how to add intriguing plot twists and turns to a story or novel. We will discuss story arc and pacing plus the essential details for plotting: character motivation/desire, action, and temporary resolutions. Time is allotted to share in-class writing for feedback and discussion. All writing levels welcome.
Course: NC6654 | $29 members / $35 non-members
Writing Craft: Dialogue (1 week)
Wednesday, April 1– 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. In this craft class, we will focus on how to properly punctuate and format dialogue, use it to craft scenes that show rather than tell, and use it to provide story and character background. Balancing dialogue with narrative, incorporating actions and thoughts while maintaining viewpoint will be covered. Students will complete several in-class exercises with time to share and discuss for improvements. All writing levels welcome.
Course: NC6655 | $29 members / $35 non-members
Writing Fiction: Genre Details (2 weeks)
Wednesdays April 8 & 15 – 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Do you enjoy reading and writing short stories? In this short course, you will learn about the various genres of short stories and what elements define them. For example, there are subcategories such as cozy, detective, or police procedure within the mystery category. We will also discuss what details to consider when you are writing for a specific genre.
Course: NC6656 | $39 members / $45 non-members
Click here to register for Renaissance Academy courses.
ACE (Adult & Community Ed) Courses
You must now pre-register for all ACE courses. (Classes with insufficient enrollment cancel 48 hours ahead of start date.)
Story Elements: Characters, Scene, Setting
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
January 13, 20, & 27
Get started on your story with these important elements. Through writing exercises learn to engage readers by crafting 3-dimensional characters and using description and specific details to create a sense of place. This 3-week course is perfect for all levels of writers.
Click here to register. [$49 / 3 weeks Class ID: 10465]
Story Elements: Conflict, Plot, Dialogue
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
February 3, 10, & 17
Focus on specific story elements in this 3-week course perfect for all writing levels. Develop engaging stories using conflict and drama to hook the reader and tricks to craft an exciting plot. Through in-class writing, explore how dialogue and action bring the story to life.
Click here to register. [$49 / 3 weeks Class ID: 10471]
Writing Memoir and Personal Experience
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, & 17
Have you led an exciting life? Do you enjoy sharing past experiences with others? Are you working on a book of memories for your family? This class will help you navigate through the islands of your memory as you learn to select and develop key events from your past, focus on the people and drama, incorporate description and create a story arc to maintain reader interest as you craft engaging life stories to share with friends, family, and other readers. In-class exercises are designed to help students explore elements of memoir writing with class time devoted to personal projects for feedback and guidance. Writers of all levels welcome.
Click here to register. [$79 / 6 weeks Class ID: 10463]
Focus on your Book Project
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, & 19
Have you often thought of writing a book? Stop thinking and get started. This course will focus on the process of drafting both fiction and nonfiction books and provide exercises to help you begin, including planning, 3-part structure, chaptering and organizing. The importance of characterization and subplot will be covered for fiction projects along with basic fiction elements such as dialogue, description, and pacing. For nonfiction, considerations for front and back matter, envisioning the layout, and details pertinent to nonfiction will also be covered. Students will have time during each session to share excerpts of their works-in-progress for feedback. All writing levels encouraged.
Click here to register. [$79 / 6 weeks Class ID: 10464]
Writing Workshops at Renaissance Academy
Click here to register for Renaissance Academy courses.
A Novel Experience: Start Writing Your Book
Wednesday, January 21, 28, February 4, & 11 – 1:30-3:30 p.m.
at Naples Center (5th Ave & 10th Street)
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Have you always wanted to write a book but do not know how to begin? Then this workshop is for you. You will learn the stages in the writing process as you plan and organize your book, and explore characterization and plotting along with basic fiction elements. Those interested in writing nonfiction will learn the importance of back-matter, envisioning the layout, using photos and diagrams, and other details important to successful nonfiction. All writing levels welcome. Bring a summary of your writing project or idea to the first class.
Course: NC6640 | $85 members / $100 non-members
Writing Short Stories
Wednesday, February 18, 25, March 4, & 11– 1:30-3:30 p.m.
at Naples Center (5th Ave & 10th Street)
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Do you enjoy reading short stories? Would you like to write fiction but do not have time to devote to a novel? Write a short story! In this class, designed for beginners or anyone wishing to explore short stories, participants will learn from published examples while applying short fiction techniques to their own writing. We will explore conflict, characterization, viewpoint, and description as they contribute to plot. Tips on using viewpoint and sensory detail to engage readers, as well as story length and structure, will be covered.
Course: NC6651 | $85 members / $100 non-members
Writing Craft – Become a Better Writer
(the 3-week series of writing craft sessions)
Wednesday, March 18, 25, & April 1 – 1:30-3p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Participants may register for the entire series (NC6652) or for any of the individual lectures below. Dramatically improve your writing skills with this series of workshops and in-class writing exercises. The series will focus on the most important elements of character development, plot, and dialogue.
Course: NC6652 | $70 members / $85 non-members
Writing Craft: Character Development (1 week)
Wednesday, March 18 – 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Having trouble creating characters that the reader believes could be a real person? In this craft class, we will focus on how to turn cardboard characters into well-rounded personalities that will engage readers. Participants will also learn how to incorporate the essential parts into the story or novel. Students will complete several in-class exercises with time to share and discuss for improvement.
Course: NC6653 | $29 members / $35 non-members
Writing Craft: Plot (1 week)
Wednesday, March 25 – 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. In this craft class, we will complete several fun in-class activities to demonstrate how to add intriguing plot twists and turns to a story or novel. We will discuss story arc and pacing plus the essential details for plotting: character motivation/desire, action, and temporary resolutions. Time is allotted to share in-class writing for feedback and discussion. All writing levels welcome.
Course: NC6654 | $29 members / $35 non-members
Writing Craft: Dialogue (1 week)
Wednesday, April 1– 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. In this craft class, we will focus on how to properly punctuate and format dialogue, use it to craft scenes that show rather than tell, and use it to provide story and character background. Balancing dialogue with narrative, incorporating actions and thoughts while maintaining viewpoint will be covered. Students will complete several in-class exercises with time to share and discuss for improvements. All writing levels welcome.
Course: NC6655 | $29 members / $35 non-members
Writing Fiction: Genre Details (2 weeks)
Wednesdays April 8 & 15 – 1:30-3 p.m. at Naples Center
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Do you enjoy reading and writing short stories? In this short course, you will learn about the various genres of short stories and what elements define them. For example, there are subcategories such as cozy, detective, or police procedure within the mystery category. We will also discuss what details to consider when you are writing for a specific genre.
Course: NC6656 | $39 members / $45 non-members
Click here to register for Renaissance Academy courses.
ACE (Adult & Community Ed) Courses
You must now pre-register for all ACE courses. (Classes with insufficient enrollment cancel 48 hours ahead of start date.)
Story Elements: Characters, Scene, Setting
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
January 13, 20, & 27
Get started on your story with these important elements. Through writing exercises learn to engage readers by crafting 3-dimensional characters and using description and specific details to create a sense of place. This 3-week course is perfect for all levels of writers.
Click here to register. [$49 / 3 weeks Class ID: 10465]
Story Elements: Conflict, Plot, Dialogue
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
February 3, 10, & 17
Focus on specific story elements in this 3-week course perfect for all writing levels. Develop engaging stories using conflict and drama to hook the reader and tricks to craft an exciting plot. Through in-class writing, explore how dialogue and action bring the story to life.
Click here to register. [$49 / 3 weeks Class ID: 10471]
Writing Memoir and Personal Experience
Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, & 17
Have you led an exciting life? Do you enjoy sharing past experiences with others? Are you working on a book of memories for your family? This class will help you navigate through the islands of your memory as you learn to select and develop key events from your past, focus on the people and drama, incorporate description and create a story arc to maintain reader interest as you craft engaging life stories to share with friends, family, and other readers. In-class exercises are designed to help students explore elements of memoir writing with class time devoted to personal projects for feedback and guidance. Writers of all levels welcome.
Click here to register. [$79 / 6 weeks Class ID: 10463]
Focus on your Book Project
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. (meets at Barron Collier HS)
January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, & 19
Have you often thought of writing a book? Stop thinking and get started. This course will focus on the process of drafting both fiction and nonfiction books and provide exercises to help you begin, including planning, 3-part structure, chaptering and organizing. The importance of characterization and subplot will be covered for fiction projects along with basic fiction elements such as dialogue, description, and pacing. For nonfiction, considerations for front and back matter, envisioning the layout, and details pertinent to nonfiction will also be covered. Students will have time during each session to share excerpts of their works-in-progress for feedback. All writing levels encouraged.
Click here to register. [$79 / 6 weeks Class ID: 10464]
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