Westport Writers Workshop Offers Variety of Online Classes

Greenwich CT

03 April, 2020

10:03 PM

Description

GREENWICH, CT— The coronavirus pandemic isn't only impacting the way we live, it's also changing the way we learn. Millions of students are currently attending school and learning via online distance learning programs and the Westport Writers Workshop is following suit. During this time of social distancing, the Westport Writers Workshop has never been more unified in their commitment to togetherness during the crisis by offering all of their spring classes online via Zoom video conferencing. Located in a town with one of the highest numbers of coronavirus cases in the state is what led to their swift decision in the move to online classes, said Liz Matthews, Executive Director. She added that rolling with the changes is something they have to do for the sake of everyone's health and sanity. Matthews, a writer, and editor, began her professional career in publishing at a literary agency and as an Editorial Assistant at Random House before teaching middle and high school English at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn. A mom of two school-aged children, Matthews herself has had to adapt as a now work-from-home mom and a homeschool mom, as so many are doing across the country. Writing, like many, provides a creative escape in the crazy times we're living in, she said. Since its inception in 2003, the Westport Writers Workshop has developed into one of the most highly respected programs in the area for writers of fiction, memoir, romance, playwriting, children's literature and much more. Through leadership and training from a stellar team of published, award-winning authors, students gain a deep understanding of the elements of writing and many go on to be published authors as well. Offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published, Westport Writers Workshop is designed to encourage, inspire, and spark established and aspiring writers' imaginations and help them to discover and develop their own unique writing talent and voice. This spring, the Westport Writers Workshop is offering over two dozen online classes from romance and prose to screenwriting, memoir and travel writing. Jessica Speart is leading a class for writers who have a true story they feel compelled to tell called "Writing About Your Life." "It takes courage to share one's life story," Speart said. "Many times it deals with what was lost, what was broken, what was said, what was mended. We'll provide a safe atmosphere in which to write about your experience in either the personal essay or memoir form." There is an alternative for those who find themselves reluctant to tell their story – the fictionalized memoir. This hybrid genre allows the writer to relay their experience, or life story, as a fictional account. The author is free to play with timelines and create a searing emotional journey that can be just as powerful and truthful as any memoir. Another featured class they're offering is Romance Writing which is being taught by Libby Waterford. Romance is a billion-dollar industry and is one of the most diverse genres in publishing. "In this course, we'll talk about the hallmarks of the romance genre and how to develop your central love story from meet-cute to happily ever after," Waterford said. "We'll discuss popular tropes, conflict, the black moment, character archetypes, sex scenes, and how to reach that emotionally satisfying ending. Prompts will be provided, or bring your in-progress romance manuscript to share and discuss via supportive feedback." Additional class offerings this spring are as follows: Spring 2020 Creative Writing Workshops on Zoom Intermediate/Advanced Fiction – F101S20Jessica Noyes McEntee7 Mondays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1 Introduction to Creative Writing: Beginning to Intermediate – B104S20Adele Annesi7 Mondays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1 Screenwriting for Movies & Television – SC101S20Alana Sanko7 Mondays, 10am-1pm | April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1 Screenwriting for Movies & Television II – SC102S20Alana Sanko7 Mondays, 1:30-4:00pm | March 30, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18 Advanced Prose – B805S20Julie Sarkissian7 Mondays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. | April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1 Writing About Your Life: Memoir (Beg. and Int.) – N103S20Christine Pakkala7 Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m. | April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1 Advanced Memoir – N105s20Christine Pakkala8 Tuesdays, 10am-12:30pm | April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2 New – Reading Like A Writer: Memoir – N106s20Suzanne Farrell Smith7 Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. | April 21, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9 Workshop in Poetry (All levels) MS – P200S20Charles Rafferty8 Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. | April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2 Writing About Your Life (Advanced) – N104S20Julie Sarkissian8 Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3 Everyday Inspirations I: Prompts Guaranteed to Get Your Pen Moving – B202S20Allison Dickens4 Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | April 15, 22, 29, May 6 NEW – Everyday Inspirations II: More Prompts Guaranteed to Get Your Pen Moving – B203S20Allison Dickens4 Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | May 13, 20, 27, June 3 Travel Writing N400S20Sarah Gold8 Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3 Advanced Fiction MS – F302S20Chris Belden8 Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3 Writing About Your Life Intermediate/Advanced – N102s20Jessica Speart8 Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4 to Memoir – N100s20Ellyn Gelman8 Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4 Writing Children's Literature – C201S20Christine Pakkala8 Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4 Upper Level Fiction MS – F201S20Chris Belden8 Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5 Romance Writing F500S20Libby Waterford8 Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5 Guts & Trust: What you need to write your root – S207S20Kate Gray10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Monday thru Friday, June 22-26 Register for a class by clicking here. To check if a class is full, call (203) 227-3250 or email [email protected]. All of the Westport Writers Workshop spring workshops offered on ZOOM are open to writers of all skill levels. Visit their Zoom tutorial pages to learn more about how to use the platform or contact them at [email protected] with any questions.