Village Books & Paper Dreams - Fairhaven
Mon-Sat: 9am-9pm
Sun: 10am-7pm
Sun: 10am-7pm
Village Books - Lynden
Need a boost to your writing for the New Year? Come out of your writing cave and connect with other writers and experts in our writing community. We'll feature a series of workshops, presentations, and conversations about writing, from generation to publication and beyond.
The key to turning people you know into characters on the page is choosing the details that evoke the relationships between the characters appearing in the story. We'll explore how gesture, vocal quality, and repetition can turn the people in our lives into vibrant characters. This interactive workshop lead by Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, a multi-genre author and professional storyteller, compelling characters on the page.
1 session
As much as we'd like to think our story or book is perfect, we can learn a lot from the input of a skilled and respectful editor. Bring your concerns, experiences, and questions about the editor/writer relationship to this class, where you'll learn what makes for a productive relationship rather than a disappointing or painful one.
1 session
Dip in or dive in! These classes are for beginning poets wanting to develop their interest in poetry. Focus will be on the major forms of poetry. Comprehensive work will include reading, analysis, and writing poems. You will organize your writings into a portfolio which could become your first chapbook, (see Poetry W.O.W. in spring). A variety of creative prompts, analysis exercises, and assigned readings will foster your understanding and appreciation of poetry. Sign up for one or a few, or for the whole series.
6 sessions
How can you develop your interest in poetry? This class offers a variety of reading selections that will foster your understanding and appreciation of poetry by learning about poetic form and structure. From acrostic to villanelle, understanding poetry foundations and styles will help readers find deeper meaning. Focus will be on the major forms of poetry.
1 session
The journey towards achieving emotional fulfilment and contentment is a complex one. Writing has a particularly important role as a pathway to our wellbeing, enabling us to explore and express our emotions in an intimate way. This class will examine mental health through writing. By examining one's mental health through the process of writing, it facilitates people in their journey through creativity and self-fulfillment. Rainah has a MFA and has taught writing therapy in various facilities in Ireland and the States.
5 sessions
The body of a story is only as strong as its spine. With strong characters in high conflict, it can be hard to define aplot outline. Finding a story's spine is a tool to find gaps in stories as well as see where a story's strength lies in terms of theme. This interactive workshop led by Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, a multi-genre author and professional storyteller, will give you ways to find any missing bones that may be keeping you from a completing a satisfying story.
1 session
This class is for people wanting to develop their interest in poetry. Focus will be on the major forms of poetry. Comprehensive work will include reading and analysis. A variety of creative prompts, analysis exercises, and assigned readings will foster your understanding and appreciation of poetry.
2 sessions
Stories have structure; life usually doesn't. Stories need to make sense; life can be utterly inexplicable. This class will use practical exercises to help turn messy life into good fiction without losing the truth of the messiness.
3 sessions
This class is for all levels of poets wanting to develop their writing skills. Focus will be on exploring many forms of poetry. Comprehensive work will be writing poems. You will organize your writings into a portfolio which could become your first chapbook. A variety of creative prompts and examples will help you develop your own style and creative form.
3 sessions
Do you have a story that is begging to be shared? Are you compelled to share your own true stories? In the spirit of live storytelling events like The Moth, this workshop will provide a safe space to craft your own story and a supportive audience with which to share it. Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, story coach, and founder of {extra}ordinary stories, an online program for memoirists and storytellers. Class meets two Wednesday evenings, then culminates with a live showcase on Wednesday, April 1, from 7-9pm at Evolve Chocolate + Cafe located in Village Books in Fairhaven. Class size is limited, so register early!
3 sessions
This class is for writers of any genre who wish to explore the use of "colorful" language. With splatterpunk, fake news, and Instagram tirades, the use of "four letter words" has become part of our daily language. But how much is too much? The object of this class is to discuss pejorative language from etymology to usage. Is it necessary in developing character, setting, and plot? Most importantly, we will discuss the impact of these word choices on the audience. Explicit words will be discussed! Mature adults only!
1 session
