FICTION AND MEMOIR

Click “Buy Now” Under Each Class to Enroll.  Email info@writingpad.com or call 323-333-2954 if you have further questions or want to ask about payment plans.

 

	Memorable Memoir: Make Your True Tales Thrilling Wed., Sept. 14- 2 Spots Left
	Kick-Start Your Novel Sun., September 11- 1 Spot Left
	Short and Sweet: The Art of The Short Story (1 Day) Wed., August 31- Full Sun., Sept. 18 - 2 Spots Left
	Short and Sweet: The Art of The Short Story (5 Wk) Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 18, 25 (4 Tues. nights, 1 one-on-one consultation) - 2 Spots Left

 

 

MEMORABLE MEMOIR: MAKE YOUR TRUE TALES THRILLING

Ever have a horrific but hilarious blind date, a tumultuous family visit, or a wild night you wish you could forget?  Turn your life’s twists and turns into fascinating, authentic drama!  We’ll sample some of the essential ingredients of memoir: setting, dialogue, character, and conflict and help you take writing “what you know” to the next level.  In this class, you’ll blend imagination with history to craft a couple of stellar stories that are uniquely yours.  Experienced and beginning writers welcome. 

	Instructor: Marilyn Friedman Wednesday, September 14, 2011 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Cost: $55 (Includes gourmet tasting plate and tea)

About Marilyn Friedman:
Marilyn Friedman has taught writing in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles for the past six years, including classes at Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, The Writing Salon, and the Southern California Writers Conference.  She is the founder and lead instructor at Writing Pad.  Her poetry has been published in numerous journals including Pearl, Squaw Valley Review, California Quarterly, Karamu, and The Great American Poetry Show. She has written articles on love and dating for Match.com and is currently working on a memoir about her experiences as a swing dancer.  Marilyn has a BA in English and Writing from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and a Master’s Degree from Boston University.

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KICK-START YOUR NOVEL

Have you always dreamed of writing the Great American novel but you don't know where to start? Or do you want to get your latest book project on the road so you can finish it by year’s end? In this class, successful novelist, Ernessa T. Carter, will share helpful tips for opening your novel with a bang. She'll show you how to create an irresistible main character and a story that sizzles from page one. By the end of class, you’ll have written or re-written a first page that agents, editors, and readers will definitely want to turn. You'll also have a good idea of how you are going to get that book done. Don't dream about writing a novel, kick-start it with this class!

	Instructor: Ernessa T. Carter Sunday, September 11, 2011 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Cost:$45 (Includes snacks and tea)

About Ernessa T. Carter:

Ernessa T. Carter’s novel, "32 Candles," was published by Harper Collins in summer 2010 and was an Essence Book Club Pick.  Ernessa has worked as a music journalist in Pittsburgh and a radio writer for American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest in Hollywood. She runs the blog, Fierce and Nerdy.  She’s a retired L.A. Derby Doll, a graduate of Smith College and Carnegie Mellon University’s MFA program.

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SHORT AND SWEET: THE ART OF THE SHORT STORY

Have you always dreamed of writing tales of urban intrigue for the New Yorker? Or maybe you imagine your short story collection on the new arrival shelf at the local bookstore? Now’s your chance! In this class, successful fiction writer, Melissa Clark will share her recipe for crafting an irresistible short story! Through fun, in-class writing exercises and an engaging craft talk, she'll help you brainstorm new ideas, and write a draft of a stellar short story. She’ll show you how to create characters that leap off the page with relevant details in ten pages or less.   She'll also show you how to explore the best ending for your story and even help you figure out where to send it for best results. Experienced and beginning writers welcome. Prepare to bring on your inner Salinger!

	Instructor: Melissa Clark Sunday, September 18, 2011 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. Cost: $65 (includes gourmet tasting plate and tea)

About Melissa Clark:

Melissa Clark is the author of “Swimming Upstream, Slowly” (Random House/ Broadway Books), which was named a Target Breakout Book.  Her short stories have been published in literary journals such as the Santa Clara review and New Orleans Review. She also created and executive produced the animated television show,  “Braceface,” starring the voice of Alicia Silverstone, which ran for five seasons on ABC Family Channel. Melissa has contributed scripts to “Rolie Polie Olie,” “Totally Spies” and “Sweet Valley High”, and has developed television projects for Disney Studios, Scholastic Productions and Cartoon Network. Melissa has taught creative writing and literature at Otis College of Art and Design and at the Esalen Institute for five years.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emerson College and a Masters Degree from UC Davis in English and Writing.

 

SHORT AND SWEET: THE ART OF THE SHORT STORY (5 WK)

Do you dream about getting a story published in The Paris Review?  Do you fantasize about seeing your name amongst the authors in a volume of The Best American Short Stories?  This class will put you on track to turn your dreams into reality! In this five week class, successful fiction writer, Melissa Clark will share her recipe for crafting an irresistible short story. Through fun, in-class writing exercises and engaging craft talks, she'll help you brainstorm new ideas and infuse your tale with the essential ingredients in ten pages or less: characters that evolve, an intriguing plot, realistic dialogue, vivid settings, a captivating beginning, and a satisfying ending.  We’ll workshop one of your stories until it’s perfect.  By the end of class, you'll have a kick-ass tale that is ready to be submitted for publication as well as a customized plan of where to submit it.  Your goal will be to send your story out for publication within a couple of weeks after the class ends and see your name in print soon after that.  Experienced and beginning writers welcome.

	Instructor: Melissa Clark Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 18, 25, 2011 (4 Tues. nights, 1 one-on-one consultation) 7:30-10:00 p.m. Cost: $325 (Includes gourmet tasting plates and tea)

About Melissa Clark:

 Melissa Clark is the author of “Swimming Upstream, Slowly” (Random House/Broadway Books), which was named a Target Breakout Book.  Her short stories have been published in literary journals such as the Santa

 Clara review and New Orleans Review. She also created and executive produced the animated television show, “Braceface,” starring the voice of Alicia Silverstone, which ran for five seasons on ABC Family Channel. Melissa has contributed scripts to “Rolie Polie Olie,” “Totally Spies” and “Sweet Valley High”, and has developed television projects for Disney Studios, Scholastic Productions and Cartoon Network. Melissa has taught creative writing and literature at Otis College of Art and Design and at the Esalen Institute for five years.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emerson College and a Masters Degree from UC Davis in English and Writing.

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