Continuing Ed Creative Writing Classes at COD Start as Early as Oct 5th - Registration Open Now

There is still time to register for writing classes in College of DuPage’s Continuing Education program. The following classes are offered this fall by instructor Laura Ehrke. Bring a pen or pencil, notebook and your imagination!

Registration information is available at cod.edu or by calling the Continuing Education office at (630) 942-2208.

Writing Your Family History through Food HUMNT-0002-005

Mondays 3-5 p.m. Oct 5 - Oct 19

Your family recipes and recounts of memorable family meals are great ingredients for writing! Learn how to interview family members to get colorful anecdotes that will help recall your own memories. Writing exercises will help you express these stories in full detail. Learn how to organize your materials and create a treasured collection to share, featuring your family’s own recipes and stories. Even if you don’t have the original cherished recipe, learn tips to recreate it to share with future generations.

Writing Fiction in a Flash HUMNT-0002-106

Tuesdays 3-5 p.m. Oct 6 - Nov 10

Explore your own self-expression through the art of writing short stories and help critique the works of your peers in this beginner’s writers group. We will read short works for inspiration, discuss the art of writing and create our own writings. Supportive group critique will be part of our process. Bring your favorite notebook and writing instrument!

Ink Flow - Artistic Writing Inspirations: Impressionism HUMNT-0002-004

Mondays 3-5 p.m. Oct 26 - Nov 16

Write creatively, inspired by masterpieces of impressionism. Like the Impressionist masters, you will freely express your impressions as you experience them, transcending the binding rules of grammar, logic and order. You may be amazed at the writing that flows from your pen! You will learn techniques to improve writing and creativity, and gain a new understanding of Impressionism. Featured Impressionist artists include: Munch, Monet, Pissarro, Seurat, van Gogh, Degas and Renoir. You will develop writing confidence and learn techniques to help overcome writer’s block. In this cross-disciplinary course, you will do writing exercises inspired by each featured artist.

Writing Interesting Characters with Pinterest HUMNT-0002-002

Tuesdays 6-8 p.m. Oct 20 - Nov 10

Developing multi-dimensional characters is a key element of successful fiction writing, as is imagination. Prepare to put your creativity into overdrive as we incorporate Pinterest and an improvisational environment to develop a cast of characters. Learn to build character profiles and backstories to enhance your fiction.

Novel Workshop HUMNT-0002-003

Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Nov 7 - Nov 14

Writers with a near-complete novel are invited to present and get feedback from others in the same boat! Discuss elements of your novel, engage in group writing exercises, and experience the encouragement to get that unfinished masterpiece back on track! We will also briefly look at the process of preparing your manuscript for submission to agents and publishers. Students are to bring some materials to first class - the latest printed version of their novel, a list of chapters, and a 1-2 page synopsis.

Unwrap Your Hidden Writer HUMNT-0002-012

Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec 5

This holiday season, create a unique gift that will be treasured for years to come. Incorporate stream-of-consciousness techniques to free your inner writer, while using the five senses as inspiration. Enjoy the sights, scents, sounds, smells and feel of the holidays as the ink flows from your pen, inspiring a heartwarming written piece to share with friends and family.

About the instructor: Ms. Ehrke is a freelance writer who has studied writing at Northwestern University and earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Chicago. She has writing experience as a columnist, feature writer, blogger, corporate staff member, public relations specialist, and creative writer. Her first novel is under contract to be published. She teaches creative writing classes at College of DuPage, College of Lake County, and Harper College, and is a writing coach for private clients.