Winter/Spring
2013 Courses:
To register for a class contact our director, David Blinkhorn via
e-mail at fvwschool@gmail.com
A. Ed Griffin’s Two Week Classes:
The Fraser Valley Writers’ School
is pleased to offer a collection of two week classes taught by the Surrey
writing master, Ed Griffin.
Each class is at the Phoenix
Centre located at 13686 94A Avenue.
Individual classes are $40. Sign
up for two and you pay $75. Get three and you pay $99. All classes are on Mondays
from 10 to Noon.
The class descriptions and
specific dates are:
The Hero’s Journey
Learn techniques used by the
ancient Greeks and modern Hollywood producers to create exciting stories. Take
your hero or heroine on an adventure. The map is already there, developed by
the work of Joseph Campbell. In this workshop you will learn the theory, but
then apply it to your story.
Monday, January 14 and 21, 2013
The Archetypes:Learn about the archetypes: the shape-shifter, the trickster, the shadow, the herald, the mentor, the threshold guardian and the hero and how to use them in your story. The class will cover other archetypes and their value in storytelling.
Monday, January 28 and February 4,
2013
Writing with Style
Review the rules of style, the
finer points of style, and the use of figures of speech. Work together with
others to examine your style and improve it.
Monday, February 11 and 18, 2013
Character Development
The most important thing for a
writer to learn is character development. We all remember famous characters
from movies and books. Learn the techniques, learn how to bring life to your
characters and take them through the character arc. Bring your characters to
class (at least the stories they’re in.)
Monday, February 25 and March 4,
2013
Slam Poetry
Tired of the rules with poetry?
Try slam poetry, which is half poetry and half performance. Surprise yourself.
Let yourself go. We’ll go over the idea of slam poetry in the first class and
then in the second class, we’ll have our own ‘Slam Poetry Night (actually
Morning)
Monday, April 8 and 15, 2013
Point of View
No subject in writing has more big
words associated with it than point of view. Ignore the big words and see the
amazing opportunities this subject can bring to you. Play with some
un-thought-of perspectives.
Monday, April 22 and 29, 2013
Traditional Publishing/Self
–publishing:
With the rise of E-books, the world of publishing is changing radically. It’s a great age to be a writer. With an E-book, there are no middlemen in the world of writing– it’s just you and the reader. Should you try the traditional market first or go right to an E-book? Come, learn, and develop your ‘business plan.
Monday, May 6 and 13, 2013
Writing Greeting Cards
Here’s a way to make some money
and improve your writing style. Find out what greeting card companies are
looking for. Practice in class with the help of your instructor and classmates
and then – send your ten best to a company and see what happens.
Monday, May 27 and June 13, 2013
B. Other courses offered by FVWS:
Introduction
to Creative Writing: The Creative Process
Have you ever wanted to unlock your
creativity? Uncover ways to unleash your imagination or find your path to your
own great storytelling? This eight week course looks at
techniques and tools to help you find your storytelling passion and silence the
forces in your life that stop you from writing your novel, short story, poetry,
magazine article, or play while providing an introduction to plot,
characterization, setting, and dialogue.
Cost:$170
Instructor: David Blinkhorn
Time and dates: 8 Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm, April
3 – May 15, 2013Place: Mel Edwards Center, Centennial Park, White Rock
The Writer’s Toolbox: Part Two: I Need a Bigger Toolbox
As part of this course, each student will
receive an hour long one on one meeting with the instructor to discuss issues
specific to that student’s writing. Students will be expected to work on a
writing project for the duration of the course with an eye to polishing for
submission. Please note the schedule for this course as there are breaks for
writing and one on one meetings.
Cost: $250
Instructor: David Blinkhorn
Dates and times: 10 Wednesdays, 10:00 am –
noon, January 16, 23, February 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13, and April 3, 10, and 17Place: Mel Edwards Centre, Centennial Park, White Rock
A Poetry Tool Box: An Exploration of Devices and Forms
Try your hand at various forms of
poetry. Experiment with new poetic devices that will bring life to your images.
This six week course will strengthen your work through weekly critiquing in a
safe and supportive climate. Exercises and weekly challenges will lead you to
create new work. Feedback from group members will help you sharpen your work
and provide a tune-up for all the tools you've developed for your writing
arsenal. There will be an opportunity to do a reading on February 27, 2013 at
the North Delta Writers’ Reading series.
Cost: $145.00
Instructor: Heidi Greco
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pmDates: Mondays, January 28 – March 4, 2013
Place: Mel Edwards Center, Centennial Park, White Rock
Cost: $135.00
Instructor: David Blinkhorn
Dates and times: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Wednesdays, January 23 – March
6, 2013 (no class February 27, 2013 for project preparation)Place: Mel Edwards Centre
C. Manuscript, Novels, and Short Stories
Work with one of the school’s instructors one on one with your
manuscript. This class includes one 30 minute introductory meeting where you’ll
discuss your work with your instructor and four 60 minute sessions where you
will discuss one on one your pages that you’ve submitted for review. Contact us
at fvwschool@gmail.com for
more info. Cost: $250
Instructor: various depending on your genre
