Our online classes are offered throughout the year. We occasionally also offer retreats and in-person workshops. See a class you’d like to take but registration isn’t open? Subscribe to our announcement mailing list to get notifications of new classes.
In this course author Henry Lien will demonstrate that elements that we consider staples of European/Western storytelling–such as the three-act story structure, the empowerment arc, and individual heroism–are not universal across all cultures.
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We’ve all heard about the Hero’s Journey, but how often do we hear about the Heroine’s Journey, Western culture’s other prominent story structure?
In this webinar, New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger provides a full break down of what aspects of heroine’s journey make for compelling narrative and voracious readers, where these elements originate, why they’re successful, and how to write them.
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When writers get to the point of describing people from marginalized groups they’re sometimes filled with anxiety over the words and phrases they should use.
In this craft-focused class, authors Nisi Shawl and K. Tempest Bradford dive deep into these language and description pitfalls and how to avoid them.
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Relationships between characters are key to character development and plot progression in every genre, not just romance. Family bonds, friendships, and lifelong partnerships create support networks around characters in every narrative. Writers often struggle to represent the connections and bonds between people that are outside their experience.
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An essential part of creating a character is understanding how that individual speaks or communicates. In this craft-focused class we’ll help you sharpen your dialogue skills through lectures, hands-on exercises, and feedback.
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Western storytelling traditions decree that a linear structure (along with the three act structure, the hero’s journey, and a rising self-esteem arc) are mandatory features of any satisfying story. This is Western-centric silliness.
In this webinar, New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger provides a full break down of what aspects of heroine’s journey make for compelling narrative and voracious readers, where these elements originate, why they’re successful, and how to write them.
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Authors Nisi Shawl, Piper J. Drake, and K. Tempest Bradford will dive deep into character creation with writing exercises, discussion, and lectures on intersectionality, character relationships, avoiding stereotypes and tropes, and depicting characters from different genders, sexualities, classes, ethnicities, ability levels, and religious backgrounds.
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In this webinar, author Stant Litore will walk you through how to chart your character arc in a way that allows you to use that arc as a potent tool for revision. You will leave the webinar with a more defined and vigorous vision for your character’s conflict and actions and with fresh and specific ideas for structuring your story to maximize the emotional and dramatic impact for your character and the reader.
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Most writers want to avoid Cultural Appropriation but worry that they don’t fully understand what it is or how to ensure their work does not include it. In this On Demand webinar, we’ll give you the resources you need.
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In this Master Class authors Marianne Kirby and Meg Elison will help you move beyond these kinds of tropes and create characters with big bodies that constitute good representation.
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