The Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University is hosting non-credit creative writing community workshops beginning in September. All workshops are open to adults and will be held on the Wilkes campus or online.
A highlight of the fall workshops will be a master class on screenwriting. It will be presented by Wilkes creative writing faculty member Ross Klavan, screenwriter of Tigerland. Online registration is available for all workshops at www.wilkes.edu/cw. Workshops include:
- Screenwriting Master Class
- This master class will provide participants with an overview of how to write for any screen. Using narrative film and television as a model, participants will discover that learning to write for the screen requires learning to read for the screen. The master class will be delivered organically, not in the traditional delivery of a series of formulas. Students will create a three- to four-page sequence of scenes that would act as the opening of either a feature length film or the pilot episode of a TV series. Participants will also craft a page or two on what the rest of the story would hold for the audience. The cost is $125 for the six-week master class.
- Workshops: Online; Sept. 7 to Oct. 19
- Instructor: Ross Klavan
- Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop
- Writers will hone and expand their fundamental storytelling skills in a supportive environment where they can explore their literary interests and experiment with character, plot and language. This six-week workshop includes textual analysis, writing and group revision exercises. It is designed to provide honest feedback in a casual, supportive and respectful environment. Participants are expected to share their work and offer insightful comments on weekly readings and their peers’ work. The cost is $65 for the six-week series.
- Workshops: Online; Sept. 16 to Oct. 26
- Instructor: Francisco Tutella
- Introduction to Fiction: The Elements of Story
- Each week, an element of story (image, voice, character, setting and story) will be explored through lecture, discussion and writing exercises. Each week, students will craft a one- to two-page piece of fiction for discussion. Participants will complete a portfolio of fiction writing samples during this workshop. The cost is $65 for the six-week series.
- Workshops: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 17 to Oct. 22, Karambelas Media Center, Room 135
- Instructor: Bill Schneider
- Playwriting 101
- Learn the basic elements of writing a play while learning the formatting rules and conventions of theatre. Each student will complete a 10-15 minute play. All plays will have formal staged readings in the last week of class where playwrights will be guided through the entire process of writing a play and hearing their play read by actors. The cost is $65 for the six-week series.
- Workshops: 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 17 to Oct. 22, Kirby Hall, Room 108
- Instructor: Bonnie Culver
About the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing
Wilkes University’s Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers the master of arts and master of fine art degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, publishing and documentary film. Program faculty are working, producing writers who mentor students one-on-one through the process of creating a full-length creative project. The program is offered in two formats. In the low-residency format, students learn online and attend two eight-day residencies each January and June. For the weekender program, students will learn online and attend four face-to-face weekend class sessions each term. For more information, please visit www.wilkes.edu/cw or call 570-408-4527.
