WRITERS IN THE MOUNTAINS OFFERS ITS FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
The public is welcome to sign up for workshops that Writers in the Mountains is offering for the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008. To find out more about WIM or to register for classes go to the website www.writersinthemountains.org or call 607 326 7908. Pre registration is strongly advised. The schedule of workshops is as follows.
MEMOIR/JOURNAL WRITING. Connecting
the Dots: A Past, Present and Future,
conducted by writer and teacher, Dorothy Kubik, Mondays from 1 - 3 p.m. October
1 - November 5, 2007 at the Community Room of the Delhi Senior Community
Center, 7 Main Street, Delhi, NY. This workshop is designed for persons interested
in writing their own or family stories.
Exercises and activities to stimulate creative self-expression and help participants
begin writing their stories will be the focus of the six sessions. Six sessions,
$75.
Dorothy Kubik is a free-lance writer living in Hamden, New York. Ever since she moved to the Catskills, she has enjoyed studying and writing about local history. She has written many articles and published two books on historical subjects: A Free Soil - A Free People: The Anti-Rent War in Delaware County, New York. And West Through The Catskills: The Story of the Susquehanna Turnpike. Her most recent work, The Adventures of Albert and Leopoldina is her first book for children. For information call 607 865 - 8351
FICTION with Jennifer Kabat. Thursdays, 6 - 8 p.m. at the Roxbury Arts Group, October 11 - November 15, 2007. Short stories contain a whole world, a life, in a condensed space. Chekhov always resented his plays, feeling each line gave away another short story he could have written. Short stories are a perfect way to capture a moment , a change, an epiphany - also to explore issues in writing without having to commit to writing a 200 word novel, making them ideal for developing skills like plot, scene, character or dialogue. In her workshops, Jennifer, assigns readings by notable short story authors to all participants reading the same piece of literature as a group looking for the same issues to discuss. She also plans writing exercises in each class to help everyone get focused and also to pay particular attention to a specific skill like character or dialogue. There will be work - shopping done on stories that participants bring into the class and plenty in depth discussion and feedback. 6 sessions for $75.
Jennifer Kabat moved to Margaretville recently from London. She works as a journalist and her writings appeared in New York Magazine, Wired, Conde Nast Traveler, The Financial Times, Vogue, The Guardian, while she's a contributing editor at the architecture and design magazine Metropolis. She's been an editor at the British style magazine and Face and men's magazine Arena as well as the American design magazine ID. She got her MFA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia and works closely with a lauded group of young British writers including Diana Evans, Tas Aw and Richard Benson. After her MFA she taught American high school students creative writing as part of the prestigious Oxbridge summer abroad program at Cambridge University. She recently participated in the advanced fiction group and the master class in the short story at the New York State Summer Writers Institute. She is currently putting together a short story collection.
SUNDAY SEMINAR with Debra Nelson-Hogan, Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Roxbury Arts Group. Writer and Editor Debra Nelson-Hogan will give a talk on what procedures she uses when evaluating free lance writers. "Most of my work has been business-related, so knowledge of a subject has been the most important, but there are some procedures that writers can follow. The writers that I have used the most often and paid the best were those that simply made my life a little easier. More information forthcoming. Refreshments. Free will donation at the door appreciated.
JOURNALING with Ev Ellsworth, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - Noon, January 8 - February 12, 2008 at the Fairview library, Margaretville, NY. Keeping a journal is a long-standing tradition among those of us who are devoted to the written word. This class offers and opportunity to share parts of our journals in class and listen to the writings of others. Gentle criticism of both content and craft is encouraged. The class consistently draws both seasoned and beginning writers, and new residents fin it a welcome introduction to the area. Writing down thoughts on a regular basis and trying to see connections between my little musings and a larger picture of the world - to leave a record for family members - to make order of my sometimes chaotic life - to enjoy the quiet as the pen moves rhythmically across the clean page - these are the reasons I keep a journal. It's a fifty year habit that I wouldn't dream of breaking. 6 sessions $65.
Those who attend the journal writing workshop may expect to be in a safe, supportive environment to explore the value of their writing. Ellsworth taught English in New Jersey for many years. She has taught writing classes at the Phoenix House in South Kortright, as well as several writing classes for Writers in the Mountains.
MARCH MADNESS with Ann Epner, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - Noon, March 11 - April 15, 2008 at the Roxbury Arts Group. March Madness is an opportunity for writers at all ability levels to try their hand at short pieces that are lighthearted - and perhaps humorous. All genres are welcome. Participants will read and discuss examples of the light, "occasional" piece and bring new work into class each week for sharing and supportive critiquing. 6 sessions $65.
Ann Epner is a founding member of WIM and currently serves as WIM board director. She has been writing since she could. She has taught creative writing classes and facilitated critical thinking workshops in several contexts including vocational training programs with refugees and women on public assistance, adult basic literacy classes and as a teacher of English as a second language in Italy and Turkey. Her published work has been featured in a monthly column for the New York Business Women's Newspaper as well as area magazines. Ann currently works as Community Arts Funding Coordinator at the Roxbury Arts Group.
THE WRITERS' CIRCLE, an ongoing and informal gathering sponsored by Writers in the Mountains, meets every second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month. The purpose of this workshop is to give suggestions to both new and experienced writers who seek editorial advice and opinions from other writers. Writers are both critiqued and encouraged by their fellow writers. There is no instructor present. 6 p.m. at The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Route 28, Arkville. For information, please call 845 586 2363. There is no charge to attend, but a donation to help with the expenses is greatly appreciated.