I only focus on a single genre at a time. Workshops will include writing exercises, analysis of noted author’s works for learning purposes, sharing a draft for peer critique, producing a final writing project within the workshop’s specific genre, and receiving detailed personalized feedback and literary coaching from the Professor on a Final Draft.
Throughout the workshop, participants will receive positive, timely and constructive feedback on their work. The Writers Roundtable Workshops are open to motivated learners of all levels and ages. Whether you have been published, just beginning to write, or simply enjoy writing as a form of personal expression, these 4 workshops are for you. They will remove the mystery from the craft of writing. No prior experience in creative writing is required. Each genre-based workshop can be taken independently and in any order.
The duration of each workshop is 5-weeks in length. The first 4 weeks of a workshop consist of online content, and the last week is reserved for scheduling live one-on-one personal consultations with the Professor.
Creative Nonfiction (memoir/personal essay) Workshop
In this 5-week Creative Nonfiction workshop, participants will write their own finished 1,500 to 2,000 word (3 to 4 double-spaced pages) personal essay or memoir.
— Dr. Dorothy Phaire, Ph.D.
Objectives include
- Identifying elements unique to creative nonfiction.
- Writing from prompts to stimulate ideas and spark details from memories.
- Keeping a writer’s journal and following the writing process to overcome writer’s block.
- Analyze and discuss a sample creative nonfiction (narrative) essay to understand technique.
- Participate in peer review activity and receive peer review feedback on a partial draft.
- Produce a Final draft memoir/personal narrative essay.
- Receive detailed personalized feedback and literary coaching from the Professor on a Final Draft.
- Receive up to two (2) free individualized, private 30-minute conferences with the Professor, or one (1) hour-long consultation on their writing.
- Receive information on free writing resources for further practice and self-study in crafting memoir/personal narrative essay.
- A detailed syllabus or outline for the Creative Nonfiction workshop will be provided to participants upon registration.
— Dr. Dorothy Phaire, Ph.D.
Fiction (Short Story or Novel chapter) Workshop
In this 5-week Fiction workshop, participants will write their own finished 1,500 to 2,000 word (3 to 4 double-spaced pages) short story or a novel chapter.
Objectives include
- Learn elements of fiction writing: plot, setting, character, dialogue, point of view.
- Participating in engaging practice writing exercises to gain skills in: description writing, creating character, writing believable dialogue, and developing plot.
- Keeping a writer’s journal and following the writing process to overcome writer’s block.
- Analyze and discuss a sample short fiction written to understand technique.
- Participate in peer review activity and receive peer review feedback on a partial draft.
- Produce a Final draft short story or a novel chapter.
- Receive detailed personalized feedback and literary coaching from the Professor on a Final Draft.
- Receive up to two (2) free individualized, private 30-minute conferences with the Professor, or one (1) hour-long consultation on their writing.
- Receive information on free writing resources for further practice and self-study in crafting fiction.
- A detailed syllabus or outline for the Fiction workshop will be provided to participants upon registration.
Poetry Workshop
In this 5-week Poetry workshop, participants will produce their own Poetry Portfolio, which will include from three to five original poems.
— Dr. Dorothy Phaire, Ph.D.
Objectives include
Learn elements and characteristics of writing poetry such as:
lyric poems. narrative poems, ballads,
stanza forms (i.e, couplets, tercets, quatrains, quintets, etc.),
formal/traditional form (using metrical writing) and free verse
meter and rhythm, rhyme,
imagery, metaphor, simile, evocation of the senses.
Writing from prompts to stimulate ideas.
Keeping a poet’s journal.
Reading, listening to, analyzing and discussing several poetry examples that follow formal and free verse, display different styles, tones, voices and rhythms, and use elements of poetic form.
Complete several poetry-writing exercises to be shared on the course Discussion Board. These exercises may be revised and polished and included in the Final Poetry Portfolio.
Discuss, interpret, respond to, and analyze sample selected poems to understand technique.
Participate in peer review activity and receive peer review feedback on POEMS.
Produce a Final Poetry Portfolio consisting of 3 to 5 original polished poems in any style of your choice.
Receive detailed personalized feedback and literary coaching from the Professor on a Final Poetry Portfolio.
Receive up to two (2) free individualized, private 30-minute conferences with the Professor, or one (1) hour-long consultation on their poetry writing.
Receive information on free writing resources for further practice and self-study in crafting poetry.
A detailed syllabus or outline for the Poetry workshop will be provided to participants upon registration.
— Dr. Dorothy Phaire, Ph.D.
Drama Workshop
In this 5-week Drama workshop, participants will write a finished ten-page (double-spaced pages) or shorter) play or film script. One double-spaced page typically amounts to 1 minute of dialogue.
Objectives include
Writing from prompts to stimulate ideas.
Identifying basic elements of drama:
character development
building conflict
writing effective dialogue and more
Keeping a writer’s journal and following the writing process to overcome writer’s block.
Responding to, analyzing/evaluating a sample 10-minute play.
Prewrite and draft a 10-minute play or film script.
Participate in peer review activity and receive peer review feedback on a partial draft stage play or film script.
Produce a final draft play or film script.
Receive detailed personalized feedback and literary coaching from the Professor on a Final Draft play or film script.
Receive up to two (2) free individualized, private 30-minute conferences with the Professor, or one (1) hour-long consultation on their writing.
Receive information on free writing resources for further practice and self-study in screenwriting and writing play scripts.
A detailed syllabus or outline for the Drama workshop will be provided to participants upon registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the Workshops’ content be delivered?
Delivery Method: Workshops are delivered via Online content and Remote platforms for one-on-one virtual conferencing.
1) Online Learning uses online course content via handouts, online discussion board participation, and video links that can be accessed anytime.
A week in the online portion of the course begins on a Monday and ends on a Sunday by midnight. This flexible online weekly schedule will allow you to access the materials as you wish and manage your time wisely. Just remember, you will get out of the course what you are willing to put in.
2) Remote or Virtual Learning utilizes video conferencing (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams) for up to two (2) free individualized, private 30-minute conferences with the Professor to provide live one-on-one feedback and next steps. Participates have the option of scheduling their two ‘free’ 30-minute sessions with the Professor into one (1) hour-long consultation on their writing. These virtual one-on-one sessions will be conducted in Week 5 of the course.
Participants will also receive written feedback from the Professor on their work in progress and final work. Currently, the Creative Writing workshops do not include live weekly virtual/remote class sessions on a specific day and time. At this time, there a no face-to-face class meetings in a physical location.
Class Size: Limited to 12 participants.
Overall Workshop Objectives
Absolutely! We provide a robust support system, including discussion forums, messaging with instructors.
Workshop Cost and Duration
The duration of each workshop is 5-weeks in length. The first 4 weeks of a workshop consist of online content, and the last week is reserved for scheduling live one-on-one personal consultations with the Professor.