Upcoming Classes
Unlocking the Mystery of Metaphors
Saturday, February 1, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. CST; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST
Online at The Loft Literary Center
Metaphors are the kidney stones of writing. No, that’s not quite right. Metaphors are the acid rain of writing. Yuck. Metaphors are… well, they’re hard. Metaphors are the bane of many writers. Yet so much can be accomplished with one. Orson Scott Card wrote, “Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.”
In this class, we’ll delve into creating metaphors to enliven your writing. We’ll discuss what a metaphor is, the purpose it serves, the different types of metaphors, and avoiding cliché. We’ll read examples of metaphors from a wide range of genres and media, analyzing why they do—or don’t—work. We’ll use in-class exercises to create metaphors of our own, in different styles and tones. Writers will have the option of sharing their work and asking for feedback, but it is not required. By the end of the class, students will have a better understanding of how to interpret metaphors as they read and how to invent the best metaphors for their own writing.
Register now!
PAST CLASSES
“Pantsing” Your Novel: Writing Without a Road Map
In the writing world, there are Plotters and there are Pantsers. Plotters create outlines, knowing where their novel ends before they type the first words of their drafts. Pantsers write “by the seat of their pants,” diving in knowing only the broad strokes of their stories. In this class, we’ll explore ways to delve into your novel without a master plan. Through exercises and research you’ll develop the tools to keep your novel moving forward, even if you are unsure where it’s going.
“Say What?” Writing Dialogue that Speaks to the Reader
Dialogue serves many purposes in fiction: It reveals conflict and creates tension. It advances the storyline. It develops characters and must accurately represent the novel’s time and place. We’ll examine both the mechanics of dialogue—tags, dialect, speech patterns—as well how it serves your story. Both in-class and out-of-class writing exercises will help you develop your ear for how people speak.
Writing and Revising the Historical Novel, an eight-week feedback class for those mid-writing an historical novel.
Wake Up and Write!, a four-week early morning generative writing class
Writing the Historical Novel, beginner’s class on crafting an historical novel.
Creative Writing Write-Ins, weekly drop-in generative writing sessions.
I Remember When… Writing Your Life Story, the craft of writing personal essays for both publication and to preserve family history.