Catherine Kyle (Graphic Novel/Comic Writing)
Workshop: Looking Through Panels: Image, Text, Poetry, and Comics
Description: How can words and pictures work together to tell stories or evoke emotions? In this workshop, we’ll explore the mechanics and possibilities of short graphic narratives and the emerging genre of poetry comics. Participants will have the opportunity to create a one-page poetry comic using pencil, pen, and watercolors, as well as a short narrative comic in a genre of their choice. Whether you’re interested in literary fiction, creative nonfiction, children’s literature, or superhero stories, the prompts offered can help you think about image-text relations in new ways and build your writing practice. Both activities can be adjusted according to participants’ comfort levels, and no previous experience with the medium is required. After discussing techniques seen in the work of Lynda Barry, Bianca Stone, Yuu Watase, Scott McCloud, Craig Thompson, and other expert comic artists, we’ll launch into our prompts, leaving time for sharing and questions.
Christian Winn (Fiction)
Workshop: Writing Great Fiction
Description: In this workshop we’ll be digging deep into the art and craft of writing great fiction. We’ll be reading a handful of highly-regarded published short stories, and studying their techniques and approaches with an eye toward utilizing the moves these stories make in our own writing. As well, we’ll be taking on a piece, or two, of writers examining their own art and practice, and discussing those essays as a workshop.
During the workshop each student will also produce new original work, share it with the group, and get feedback from Christian during the session. Workshop participants will receive their packet of published work after they sign up, so they can come to the workshop prepared to discuss all the published work, then hop into their own. This workshop will be a fun and thorough examination and practice of creating memorable characters, vibrant settings, real-time scene work, interesting points of view, realistic dialogue, careful use of sensory detail, creating heart in fiction, and more!
Elena Tomorowitz and Tara Lzicar (Slam Poetry)
Workshop: From Page to Stage: Writing and Performing for an Audience
Description: In this workshop, Idaho poets Tara Lzicar and Elena Tomorowitz, will strengthen your tools to prepare the written word for a live performance. Elena, our writing powerhouse, will guide workshop participants through a writing exercise geared at engaging a live audience. Then Tara, our slam poet will get you ready for the show. This workshop will engage all your senses and teach your body to be an extension of your words. If you’re looking to reach a wider audience with your writing, or get more comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, this workshop is a perfect place for both. Tara and Elena know that any performance can be intimidating, so we encourage you to come as you are and get ready for a good time. Combined, it’s a three-for-one event that will combine a little writing, a little performance, and a lot of fun.
Tom Zoellner (Nonfiction)
Workshop: Finding the Story: Facts + Feelings = Narrative
Description: This short course is aimed at those who want to develop their skills in the genre of literary journalism and creative nonfiction writing. The art of gathering facts is not a straightforward process; it involves research, interviews, and close observation. The writer continues to learn, ask questions, and refine the inquiry as he or she composes an engaging narrative that taps into facts as much as it does intuition.