When we talk about (and teach) creative writing we often speak of the rules of craft. While it is important to have a knowledge of what has worked time and again to create compelling stories, in order to write a truly singular story you will need to move beyond convention. Often students of creative writing are so aware of how a story is supposed to be told that they fail to hear the wisdom that is already present in their own writing; its subtle whispers about how it needs to be told. In this intensive course, through close readings of unconventional narratives, generative writing prompts, and an in-depth discussion of our own projects, we will deepen our understanding of the voice, the shape, and the themes that our work seeks to articulate. Whether you come to our meeting with just an idea of the story you want to tell or you have a full rough draft on your desk, our time together will embolden you to take the next step—from getting the first pages written to embarking on a needed revision—with a deeper connection to the material and a greater authority over your material, moving you beyond crafting a story to telling it in the singular way that only you can.
---
Details: Let the Writing Make the Rules with Kate Milliken takes place Wednesday, March 5 from 6:30-8:30pm in person at the Literary Cleveland office (13002 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland OH 44120).
Prerequisite: None
Genre: The Writing Process
Level: All levels
Format: Craft Talk
Location: This class takes place in person at the Literary Cleveland office (13002 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland OH 44120).
Size: Limited to 25 participants
Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by December 16.
Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.
Kate Milliken is the author of Kept Animals, long-listed for the 2020 First Novel Prize, and the story collection If I’d Known You Were Coming, winner of the 2013 John Simmons Award. She holds an MFA from Bennington College and her work has been supported by fellowships from the Tin House Summer Workshop, the Vermont Studio Center, Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and Ragdale, among others.