Past Classes

Character Development Intensive
Instructor: James Thayer

Readers remember a novel's characters long after the plot has been forgotten. We still love Lonesome Dove's Augustus McCrae, but who can remember all that happened to him? We love Oliver Twist, but can't recall all the ordeals Dickens put him through. Almost all successful fictional protagonists have nine personality traits. We will discuss each trait, showing why it is important. Bestselling authors use certain techniques to write enduring characters. We will focus on these techniques and learn to create 1) vivid physical descriptions, 2) memorable personality traits, and 3) external conditions in the story that make a character more appealing. We will also cover specific techniques for crafting the hero, the buddy, and the villain. We will emphasize dialogue, including proven methods to make it dramatic and convincing. The instructor will provide handouts and include in-class exercises.

Date: Saturday, November 5, 2011

Writing the Picture Book
Instructor: George Shannon

The picture book for children (ages birth to 8) includes most subgenres found in adult literature—all in 32 pages. What can you say that's new? Plenty, if you say it in your unique voice, and say it well. Through lecture, discussion, writing exercises, readings, and in-class critiques we will explore the possibilities, criteria, and craft of writing picture books for friends and family as well as publishers. This course will focus primarily on the verbal elements of the picture book, but visual elements will naturally be part of the discussion. Students are encouraged to bring a work-in-progress to class. They will also begin at least two new picture book texts (via class exercises), and complete one of those manuscripts by the end of the course. Students will receive a written critique from the instructor.

Dates: Thursday, October 13, 20, 27 and November 3, 2011

Writing Creative Nonfiction
Instructor: Priscilla Long

You’d like to write creative nonfiction essays, but you’re not sure which form they should take. In this class, we’ll explore the exciting range of forms proliferating in the world of creative nonfiction. Examples include numbered forms, questions, straightforward ten-paragraph essays, and others. We will also work on sentence craft. We'll scrutinize virtuoso sentences written by master writers and work on moving our own skills in that direction. Students will produce three short, finished creative nonfiction essays, generated through in-class exercises and home assignments. The instructor will provide oral and written feedback. The required text is The Writer's Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft, and the Writing Life by Priscilla Long. This class is for all writing levels, from beginning to advanced. Bring a notebook and expect to have fun.

Dates: Monday, September 19 and 26, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2011

Writing the Teen Novel
Instructor: Suzanne Selfors

Walk into any bookstore and you'll notice the young adult section has doubled. Teenagers are reading! And there’s a variety of styles and subjects—it’s not just about vampires. While stories vary, at the heart of every teen novel is the coming-of-age theme. Using popular YA novels as examples, this class will explore the unique aspects of writing for teens. We’ll discuss concerns such as “Do I have to sound like a teenager?” “Should I worry about trends?” and “How do I get in touch with my inner teen?” Each class will be a blend of lecture and workshop. Writers of all levels are welcome, but a first chapter of a work-in-progress is required. The instructor and class members will read the chapters before discussion in the workshop sessions. Students will receive a written critique from the instructor. Students should mail up to 12 double-spaced pages from their first chapters along with their application. Before class begins, students will be notified as to how many copies to bring to the first class.


Dates: Thursday, February 24 and March 3, 10, and 17, 2011

Marketing Your Book to Agents or Publishers
Instructor: Alice B. Acheson

You've written your book or have a partial manuscript. Now you must write the query letter and synopsis. Where to begin? Reference books seem to have conflicting methods. Is there "one way" to do it? What details must be included? What potholes should be avoided? Alice Acheson shares what works, what doesn't—and why. While much of this class will focus on fiction, the process can benefit nonfiction writers working on memoirs, biographies, or other creative nonfiction. Saturday will focus on the query letter. Your query may not be "perfect" when you leave, but you'll have a clear idea how to do the final polish. Sunday will focus on putting the "sell" into the synopsis, using what has been learned and amplifying it. For individualized attention, the class is limited to 10 students.

After registering, students will receive, via email, guidelines for writing a one-page query and a synopsis, plus an example of a query that succeeded. Before January 28, students should email directly to the instructor their query letter and synopsis and bring to class 12 copies of each. Between Saturday and Sunday classes, students will be asked to read all synopses and be ready to comment.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, February 5 and 6, 2011

Writing for the Nonfiction Magazine Market
Instructor: Bruce Barcott

You've got a great magazine story idea, or you love magazines and want to write for them, but the whole slick-print world seems impenetrable. Not so. Magazine editors are always looking for fresh ideas and new writers. Bruce Barcott writes for National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and other periodicals. In this class, he will work with students to identify viable nonfiction story ideas and match them with potential magazines and editors. Students will develop story ideas, proposals, and articles as class assignments. The instructor will help students report, write, and edit their stories into shape and give oral and written feedback. No experience necessary.

Dates: Monday, January 10, 24, 31 and February 7, 2011

Reading Like a Writer
Instructor: Julie Larios

We turn to books for many reasons—for intellectual stimulation, entertainment, solace, the satisfaction of personal curiosity, the mastering of new skills, and the simple camaraderie of fellow readers. Each of these pleasures can be developed and deepened by learning how to read like a writer. Using the book Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose as a guide, we'll look at strategies writers use to pull readers into their stories. We'll focus on devices both large and small (from narrative arcs to the artful sentence) and share careful observations about a handful of wonderful books, including the National Book Award winner Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann.

Dates: Sunday, November 7 and November 14, 2010

Beginning Fiction Workshop
Instructor: Shawn Wong

Nearly everyone says or overhears someone say, "I have a great idea for a novel." How do fiction writers get from idea to written pages? How do you give yourself practical writing assignments to meet your goal? What tricks can you play on yourself to move your writing ability from one level to another? How can you be an objective editor of your writing? There is no tried-and-true path to writing fiction, but Shawn Wong's students for the past 26 years at UW have gone on to write and publish short stories and novels and win writing awards. What he tells them will be compressed into four sessions. In other words, let's skip the apprenticeship and get straight to the writing.

Dates: Thursday, September 23 and 30, October 7 and 14, 2010

Point of View in Practice
Instructor: Margaret Nevinski

"Start thinking of POV tools, not POV rules," says writer Alicia Rasley. In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore POV tools available to writers in the context of their own work. Writing exercises, shared aloud for group discussion, will focus on applying POV choices to the students' own writing. Students will submit a 3-page writing sample before the class begins. The instructor will discuss a number of these pages each week from the perspective of POV. This workshop is for writers who have taken the Field's End class "Point of View" (Fall 2009), or who have a finished or in-progress fiction manuscript.

Dates: Wednesday, March 24, 31 and April 7, 14, 2010

Speculative Fiction
Instructor: Cat Rambo

The field of speculative fiction allows writers to play with talking objects, spaceships, and transformations of the unlikely to the unlikelier. In this workshop, we'll discuss the basics of story writing and how the considerations of speculative fiction do (and don't) alter those basics. We'll also discuss how to build convincing worlds and cultures. In-class writing exercises will focus on sparking creativity, establishing characters, and plotting.

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010

Writing the Nonfiction Book Proposal
Instructor: Waverly Fitzgerald

Writers of nonfiction books (including travel and memoir) need a book proposal to attract agents and publishers. But writing this marketing tool is very different from writing the book itself. Unlike popular one-day classes which provide the format and send the writer off to do the work alone, this class provides ongoing support and structure as you write the proposal. By the end of four weeks, you will have a complete proposal including a concept statement, marketing research, author credentials, an outline and a sample chapter. Even if all you have at the moment is an idea for a book, this class will help you develop your material.

Dates: Thursday, January 28 and February 4, 11, 18, 2010

Brass Tacks: The Right Sentence and the Telling Detail
Instructor: Priscilla Long

First-rate writers use all the sentence forms and choose them to carry particular meanings or emotions. This hands-on course is designed for writers of all levels—beginner to advanced— interested in revising several short works or books-in-progress. We'll scrutinize brilliant sentences and paragraphs and apply our discoveries as we reshape our own works to intensify content. Diction (word choice) is equally important. Students will explore techniques for gathering language that is more original, more resonant, and still true to one's individual voice.

Dates: Monday, October 19 and 26, November 2 and 9, 2009

Point of View
Instructor: Margaret Nevinski

Choosing a point of view (POV) is one of the most important decisions a writer makes when beginning a new piece of fiction. However, confusion abounds about different POVs and which is most effective for a particular story. This hands-on class will explore the complex world of POV and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. Students will submit a writing sample before the class starts. Depending on the number of students, the instructor will discuss 1-2 pieces of submitted writing from students each week from the perspective of POV. During each session, students will write POV exercises and be encouraged to share them aloud and discuss.

Dates: Wednesday, September 30 and October 7, 14, 21, 2009

Writing the Middle-Grade Novel
Instructor: Suzanne Selfors

Dates: Monday, February 23 and March 2, 9, 16, 2009

Using popular middle-grade novels as examples, Selfors will explore the unique aspects of this genre for the reader age 8-12. Writers of all levels are welcome, but a completed first chapter of a middle grade novel is required. The class will combine lecture and workshop, during which chapters will be read by the instructor and all class members before discussion in the workshop sessions. Students should mail one copy of the chapter (no more than eight double-spaced pages) along with their application. Once the number of students is set, each person will be notified about the number of copies to bring to the first class.

Secrets to a Clear, Compelling Sentence
Instructor: Gary Kinder

In this workshop, students did a variety of writing and editing exercises to improve their prose.

True Stories: Personal Narrative and Creative Nonfiction
Instructor: Barbara Sjoholm

This 5-week course explored various forms of essays that can be used to record and examine events of a life.

Truth or Consequences: Keeping Fiction True
Instructor: Garth Stein

This 8-hour course focused on techniques to maintain the dramatic truth in fiction.
 

Memoir
Instructor: Brenda Peterson

This 10-hour course included exercises and guidelines to strengthen the narrative arc in memoir.

Dialog
Instructor: Garrett Bennet

In this 5-hour course offered over two Saturdays, students learned how good dialog reveals character and strengthens any story.

Writing the Personal Essay for College Applicants
Instructor: Marian Merkel

High school students received instruction and feedback on their college application essays.

Bringing History Alive in Fiction
Instructor: Kathleen Acala

This 12-hour craft course focused on shaping historical research and source materials into fiction that appeals to the modern audience.

Writing Literary Collage: New Forms in Nonfiction
Instructor: Priscilla Long

In this 10-hour craft course, students explored new nonfiction forms.

The Original Idea: The Heart of Your Story
Instructor: Bob Mayer

Field’s End’s first online class took place during the month of July. Students participated in group discussions and shared their work via the Internet.


The Play’s the Thing
Instructor: Elizabeth Heffron

In this 15-hour workshop, students wrote a one-act play.

Writing the Picture Book Text
Instructor: George Shannon

This 10-hour craft course explored storytelling skills for the picture book.

Art of the Short
Instructor: Matt Briggs 


This 4-hour craft class centered on short forms in writing.

Who I Am: Writing the Personal Essay for College Applicants
Instructor: Susan Wiggs


This 4-hour craft class helped teens preparing for college.

Writing Historical Fiction
Instructor: Kathleen Alcalá


In this 12-hour craft class, students learned about issues surrounding historical fiction.

Your Nonfiction Book Project: Putting It All Together
Instructor: Sheila Rabe


This 8-hour craft class
focused on nonfiction book proposals.

Young Writers Workshop on Fiction
Instructor: David Guterson


This 18-hour fiction workshop was for teens.

The Art of the Paragraph
Instructor: Priscilla Long


In this 10-hour craft class, students delved into the effectiveness of the paragraph.

Beyond Nip and Tuck: Advanced Revision in Fiction
Instructor: Carole Glickfeld


This 18-hour workshop
offered advanced revision techniques.

How to Write the First Page of Your Novel
Instructor: Bharti Kirchner


This 4-hour craft class focused on getting started on your novel.

Craft for Prose Junkies
Instructor: Cheryl Slean


This 12-hour class for “prose junkies” concentrated on different aspects of writing craft.

Writing As Play: Nurturing the Young Writer
Instructor: George Shannon


In this 1.5 hour workshop, students were
encouraged to use play in their writing.

An Agent’s Point of View
Instructor: Elizabeth Wales


In this 1.5 hour lecture class, a literary agent discussed her role in the publishing process.

On the Road: Exploring the World Through Writing Your Travels

Instructor: Irene Wanner

This 12-hour class focused on the special requirements of travel writing.

Don’t Dream It ... Do It
Instructor: Susan Wiggs


In this 6-hour workshop, students learned how to take steps to make their writing dreams a reality.  

Writing Literature for Children
Instructor: George Shannon


This 12-hour craft class presented an overview of writing for children.

From Imitation to Imagination
Instructor: Priscilla Long

This 10-hour class focused on crafting prose.

From Page to Stage: Writing the One-Act Play
Instructor: Amy Wheeler


In this 12-hour class, students wrote a one-act play and learned elements of playwriting.

No Tricks and No Secrets: An Editor’s Perspective on Publishing Your Work
Instructor: Robin Desser


In this 1.5 hour class, an editor delivered a lecture about the publishing world.

The Craft of Poetry
Instructor: Sharon Cumberland


This 12-hour craft class taught the elements of poetry.

Navigating the Past: A Guide for Writers
Instructor: Laura Kalpakian


This 8-hour craft class
revealed the issues to watch when writing about the past.

Becoming a Writer: Approaches and Practices
Instructor: Priscilla Long


Do you want to be a writer? This 10-hour craft class explored how.

Measure for Measure: Detail and Narrative Pace
Instructor: Irene Wanner


In this 12-hour craft class, students learned how to master detail and pacing in their fiction.

Revising Your Fiction Manuscript
Instructor: Carole Glickfeld


This 12-hour craft workshop provided revision techniques for fiction writers.

Anatomy of a Character
Instructor: Skye Moody


This 12-hour fiction craft class analyzed character development.

The Arc of the Story
Instructor: Kathleen Alcalá


In this 12-hour fiction workshop, students learned about story arc in novels and short stories.

Devotion and Discipline of a Writing Life
Instructor: Naomi Shihab Nye


This 1.5-hour workshop
delivered reflections on the joys and rigors of the writing life.

The Art of Poetry

Instructors: Northwest poets (in order of appearance) Richard Kenney, Linda Bierds, John Willson, Colleen J. McElroy, Roger Fanning, and Sam Hamill


Six classes with six poets delved into poetic craft.

Strategies to Unmask the Conscious/Subconscious Theme in Your Short Story or Novel
Instructor: Michael Collins


In this 12-hour short story workshop, fiction writers explored the theme of theme.

Dangerous Sentences

Instructor: David Long


A 6-hour fiction workshop
concentrated on sentence craft.

The Art of the Sentence (back by popular demand)
Instructor: Priscilla Long


This 10-hour craft class continued the exploration of the sentence.

Coming to Terms with the Place We Call Home
Instructor: Robert Michael Pyle


In this 2-day writing workshop, students focused on the meanings and theme of home.

Creating a Work of Short Fiction or Creative Nonfiction
Instructor: Priscilla Long


This 6-hour craft class delved into the short form, whether fiction or creative nonfiction.

Writing Creative Nonfiction

Instructor: Nick O’Connell


This 12-hour class provided techniques for writing creative nonfiction.

Revising Your Fiction Manuscript
Instructor: Carole Glickfeld


In this 12-hour fiction workshop, fiction writers learned revision techniques.

What Happens Next? Structure and Momentum in the Short Story
Instructor: Michael Byers


This 12-hour fiction class
analyzed the short story in terms of building a structure and pacing.

The Art of the Sentence: Moving Your Writing from Competent to Brilliant Through More Sophisticated Sentencing


Instructor: Priscilla Long


This 10-hour craft class explored the possibilities of the sentence.

The Art of Fiction
Instructor: David Guterson


In this 12-hour lecture class, students learned about the craft of writing fiction.