Winter Classes
Come as little or as often as you would like, though RSVP's are appreciated each week. Payment is due at the start of each session with checks payable to the Rehoboth Beach Writers' Guild. Feel free to contact us for more information. All classes cost $40.00 per class session. (We ask if you sign up, to please commit to six of the eight sessions). To RSVP for a class, email Maribeth Fischer.
- Writing the Novel
- Using fictional techniques to write compelling Nonfiction
- Experiments in Creative Writing ~ Maribeth Fischer
- Message in A Bottle: Writing & Wine ~ Paul Dyer and Maribeth Fischer
Writing the Novel ~ Maribeth Fischer
Monday Mornings, 10:30-12:30 at the Glade in Rehoboth (Three Spaces Available) or Monday evenings 5:30-7:30 Lewes Location TBA, Three Spaces Available, January 9 15, 22, 29 February 6, 13, 20, 27,
Whether you are just starting on the novel that you’ve always wanted to write or are 200 pages into it and need direction, deadlines and critique/encouragment to finally finish, this intense hands-on class is for you. Each week participants focus on another technique in fiction writing—dialogue, use of setting, writing compelling scenes, heightening conflict—then incorporate that technique into their own chapters. Students critique short examples of one another’s work and each class are also invited to submit up to ten pages of work for Maribeth to critique.
Using fictional techniques to write compelling Nonfiction ~ Maribeth Fischer
Tuesday mornings 10:30 – 12:30 (Community Bank in Lewes), January 10, 17, 23, 30 and February 7, 14, 21, 28
While the story one is telling is important, how one tells it is perhaps more so, which is why this class focuses heavily on the various fictional techniques nonfiction writers can make their stories compelling. The use of dramatic scene and summary, flashback, flash forward, various methods of characterization, as well as how to move from external “plot” to internal “reflection” are all discussed. Each week participants look at examples of these techniques in professional writing, then try to emulate them in their own work, which they bring to class for critique. Participants are also invited to submit up to ten pages of writing per class for Maribeth to critique
NEW!
Experiments in Creative Writing ~ Maribeth Fischer
Saturdays 11:30-1:30, the Cultured Pearl Restaurant in Rehoboth, January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 3
You know you want to write something—a short story, a novel, an essay, but you aren’t really sure what to write. You might not even have a specific subject, story or character in mind. Still… you long to write something…
In this eight week course, we will experiment with various creative structures and techniques—a different one each week—any one of which could be the jumping off point into a more polished piece of writing. Examples of things we will explore: a “list” story; a “How to” story or essay the next; a “collage” essay or story, even perhaps, a story that uses techniques of magical realism. Along the way, we’ll study examples of great short stories and essays that use the structures and techniques we are trying to imitate, and we’ll experiment as well with unique methods of description, the use of the long long sentence, effective use of fragments, and more. Participants will be invited to complete a short assignment each week and will receive personalized feedback from the instructor on every assignment.
Message in A Bottle: Writing & Wine ~ Paul Dyer and Maribeth Fischer
Every bottle, every glass of wine, holds a story. Stories of place. Stories of people. In this eight-week class, participants will taste wines from around the world while simultaneously exploring the lines where writing and wine intersect. Participants will read work written by great wine writers, learn new ways to think about tasting, expand their wine knowledge and hone their ability to talk--and write--about wine (or anything else) using unique descriptions and comparisons.
Sundays, January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5, 12, 19, 26 4-6pm, The Cultured Pearl, Rehoboth or Thursdays, Jan 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9 , 16, 23, and March 1 5:30- 7:30pm, the Cultured Pearl, Rehoboth Beach
Paul Dyer has been in the wine business for over 15 years . He served as the beverage manager of a local fine-dining restaurant and for the past 4 years has worked in Rehoboth’s premier wine shop. In addition to being a Certified Wine Captain by the Wine Society of Washington DC, he has, taught wine classes for Bin66 as part of the Southern Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning Program.