Unique Creative Writing Workshops Set to Begin in January

SIMSBURY, CT – The Storyteller’s Cottage in Simsbury, CT is set to launch a dozen unique creative writing classes for adults and children next month. Taught by local authors, the courses range from 1-time seminars to several-week-long workshops. Topics range from novel writing, to blogging, to screenwriting, and more, and classes are available for all levels of writer, from beginners to veterans.

Winter workshops will include:

The Exuberant Scribe: A program for adults who yearn to write, but are not confident in their technique. Taught by author T.J. Banks, this course meets for six Wednesdays at 7pm from January 10 – February 14. Cost: $160

Publishing Your Personal Essays: Led by C. Flanagan Flynn, editor of the national magazine Brain,Child, this class will guide students to write about their own experiences and find the right venues to publish their essays. Meets for six Thursdays at 7pm from January 4 – February 8. Cost: $250

Literary Power Lunch: Writers with works underway are invited to bring both their manuscripts and their lunch to this daytime round-table feedback session led by author Lisa Fiedler, who has published over 40 books. Meets for six Wednesdays at noon from January 3 – February 7. Cost: $300

Tiny Memoir Tuesdays: Writers who would like to document their life stories, but are intimidated by the scale and commitment of a full memoir are guided to write a micro memoir in three weeks, featuring a reflection of one perfect life event. Taught by Tracy McKee, this class meets for three Tuesdays at 6:30pm from January 9 – 23. Cost: $180

New Writer’s One-Day Workshop: This course for inexperienced writers provides an engaging and supportive environment in which they can explore and share their experiences through short writing pieces. Taught by Tracy McKee, this class meets from 1:00 – 4:00pm on either February 24 or March 3.

Secrets of Screenwriting: Explore the art of screenwriting with produced, award-winning screenwriter, Pamela Perry Goulardt. In this 3-week series, learn to break into this lucrative industry. Meets on Sundays at 10:00am from January 7 – 21. Cost: $100.

Set Up Your Blog: This one-time class will teach blogging newbies how to use WordPress for basic blogging, including setting up a free account, choosing a template, and navigating the dashboard among other skills. This is a great entry-level workshop to prepare to take Savvy Storytelling. Taught by blogger and writing professor Beverly Army Williams, this class meets for 90 minutes on January 3. Cost: $60

Savvy Storytelling/Crafting a Creative Blog: Learn from a dynamic duo how to create a blog that people will want to read. Writing professor Beverly Army Williams and professional photographer Gale Zucker will show how to write effective posts and take gorgeous photos to illustrate them. This class meets on two Wednesdays (January 10 & 17) at 2:30pm. Cost $250

Introduction to Grant Writing: Participants will review sample proposals and practice writing their own. Learn to craft effective proposals, examine a variety of resources for finding funders, and leave with a strong draft proposal. Taught by Beverly Army Williams, this class meets for six Wednesdays at 2:30pm from Feb 21 – March 28. Cost $450.

Using the Tarot to Unlock Your Story: Writers will learn to break through writer’s block and spark creativity by utilizing tarot cards to sketch out story arch and understand characters’ back stories. Taught by author Annie Kelleher, this class meets for six Fridays at 10:30am from January 5 – February 9. Cost: $180

Narrative & Poetic Medicine: Participants will learn to use creative writing to heal. Writing is a scientifically proven holistic practice that can enable and enhance reconditioning and recovery of the mind, body, and spirit – and ultimately offers a priceless technique for lifelong self-healing. Taught by writing instructor and holistic health practitioner Anna Guarco, this class meets for three Fridays at 6:30pm from January 12 – 26. Cost: $75

Chron-Ink: This free writing group, led by author Annie Kelleher, brings together people who are living with chronic illness, and allows them to process their feelings and experiences through writing. Meets every Wednesday at 10:30am.

Wordsmithery Fiction Writer’s Clinic: This daytime course will help authors deal with challenges like structuring scenes, bulking up characters, or getting through slumps. Taught by author Dave Robbins, this class meets every first and third Tuesday at 10:30am, beginning February 6. Cost $320 for 4 months.

The Storyteller’s Exchange: This evening writer’s group will provide a forum for writers with works underway to hear feedback from other local writers. Meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm. Cost $7

League of Imagineers: Designed for students in grades 5 – 8, this class will encourage young writers to create worlds from words, and complete and publish a story by the end of the six-week session. Meets Thursdays at 4:30pm from January 11 – February 15. Cost $160

Time Travelers Guild: This unique course immerses young writers (grades 5 – 8) in atmospheres guaranteed to spark creativity. The 3-week class begins with the students playing a mystery room game, then returning to the same room to write a story inspired by the theme of the game (this session: vintage spy mystery). Meets three Thursdays at 4:30pm from March 1 – 15. Cost $80.

Forging Labyrinthine Realms: Professional fantasy writer Michael J. Bertolini illuminates and simplifies the complex process of fictional world-building for high school students. Where to start? What to include? How deep to go? Class meets in a unique “Medieval Castle Keep” around a “Knights of the Round Table” table. Two 2-hour workshops will be held on Sundays, January 21 and February 18 at 2:00pm. Cost $30 each

Registration is available at www.StorytellersCottage.com/book-online, or by email at Info@StorytellersCottage.com.

The Storyteller’s Cottage is located at 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, and features all manner of literary events and adventures, from author nights, to book-themed social hours, to challenging mystery room games. Parking for The Storyteller’s Cottage is free, and is available on the street in front of the building, and in the Fiddler’s Green parking lot on Wilcox Street (behind the house). For more information, please call 860-877-6099 or visit www.StorytellersCottage.com.