RBWG Winter 2023 Classes
In Person; Online Tutorials via Email; and Zoom
Weekly Calendar
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Register Here Please register first with Maribeth at fischer.maribeth@gmail.com to make sure that the class is running (at times we do not have enough participants to make the class work) or is not already filled. Maribeth will respond to you within a day. Pay Here Because we are committed to keeping our classes small and because we can only continue to do this if participants commit to and pay for all classes, we ask that ONCE WE CONFIRM THE CLASS WILL RUN, you pay for the full class amount up front. If you are interested in a class and cannot pay for it up front, just send Maribeth an email and we’ll work out a payment plan. Please do not pay prior to hearing from Maribeth that the class is running and a seat is available. We are unable to make full refunds if payment is received without confirmation from Maribeth first.
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Our Instructors
Click here to read brief biographies for each of our instructors.
Special Prose Challenge
This is the Year I Will Write --Maribeth Fischer (2 weeks)
When: January 9-13; 16-20 (weekends off)
Where: Online (tutorial)
Cost: RBWG Members $50; Non-Members $60
I encountered many obstacles on the path to publishing my debut memoir-in-essays at age fifty-six,” writes Sari Bottom. “But without a doubt, the biggest obstacle standing in my way was yours truly. For too long, I let my fears and self-doubt interfere with my commitment and focus."
--Poets & Writers, Winter 2022
So many of us want to write more than we do, but life has a way of well…getting in the way. In this inspiring two-week “challenge,” the primary goal is simply to write 500 words a day every day for two weeks (weekends off). Of course, this isn’t really simple at all, but we’ll try to make it less daunting. The words don’t have to be good words or beautiful words—though taking the pressure off yourself might allow them to be just that! Each morning, you’ll receive a short email with inspiring thoughts from other writers that will help motivate you (and remind you that you are not alone in struggling to write) followed by a prompt that you can use—or not. You’ll share the words with absolutely no one—all you have to do is email Maribeth when you’ve reached your goal for the day. This challenge is a way to begin 2023 by saying “my writing matters.”
When: January 9-13; 16-20 (weekends off)
Where: Online (tutorial)
Cost: RBWG Members $50; Non-Members $60
I encountered many obstacles on the path to publishing my debut memoir-in-essays at age fifty-six,” writes Sari Bottom. “But without a doubt, the biggest obstacle standing in my way was yours truly. For too long, I let my fears and self-doubt interfere with my commitment and focus."
--Poets & Writers, Winter 2022
So many of us want to write more than we do, but life has a way of well…getting in the way. In this inspiring two-week “challenge,” the primary goal is simply to write 500 words a day every day for two weeks (weekends off). Of course, this isn’t really simple at all, but we’ll try to make it less daunting. The words don’t have to be good words or beautiful words—though taking the pressure off yourself might allow them to be just that! Each morning, you’ll receive a short email with inspiring thoughts from other writers that will help motivate you (and remind you that you are not alone in struggling to write) followed by a prompt that you can use—or not. You’ll share the words with absolutely no one—all you have to do is email Maribeth when you’ve reached your goal for the day. This challenge is a way to begin 2023 by saying “my writing matters.”
Publishing
An Insider’s Guide to Getting Published -- Elise Seyfried and Patti Garrison (4 sessions)
When: Mondays, January 9, 16, 23 30
Where: Online (tutorial)
Cost: RBWG Members $200; Non-Members $225
Publishing your work is important. Even if you are giving a piece to some smaller publication for free, you will learn something about your writing. The editor will say something, friends will mention it. You will learn.
—Tim Cahill
You’ve heard that your personal essays are good, maybe even great, and writers you respect have encouraged you to submit for publication. But how, and where, and to whom? Join us as we demystify the process of finding the right home for your work, the right (and wrong) ways to communicate with editors, how to develop a pitch, and how to handle rejection. Participants will learn how to scout out possible publications, work with online submission platforms, and receive an up-to-date contact list of editors/publications seeking essays. Celebrate 2023 with some wonderful acceptances! This may just be the year to get those essays off your computer and into editors’ hands!
Self-Publishing 101: A Guide to Prepping Your Book for Print --Crystal Heidel (1 session)
When: Saturday, February 25, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth
Cost: RBWG Members $50; Non-Members $60
Once you have decided to self-publish, there are a number of steps and decisions that writers need to make. It’s not just a matter of uploading a file into the Amazon self-publishing vehicle; it’s not even a matter of simply sending your Word document to a friend or a book designer who knows how to do this. There are things the writer must address before this step. Byzantium Sky Press owner Crystal Heidel, who has uploaded and designed numerous books for Guild authors interested in self-publishing, will offer writers a check-list of key issues necessary in the self-publishing process. These include such things as how to select a designer; why writers shouldn’t try to design the interior of the book themselves; why writers shouldn’t use Word for the final interior design; what fonts to use and why; how to order galley copies; how and where to purchase ISBN numbers, and how to apply these ISBN numbers to KDP (the new Createspace).
Book Cover Design: 8 Elements for Covers that Sell -- Crystal Heidel (1 session)
When: Saturday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth
Cost: RBWG Members $50; Non-Members $60
In this two-hour workshop geared towards any writer thinking about self-publishing a book (in any genre), designer and owner of Byzantium Sky Press, Crystal Heidel, will walk writers through the essential elements of cover design that all writers should understand when thinking about the cover for their book. The goal, of course, is to attract readers and not lose them before they even read the first page. Whether you plan to design your own cover, work with an artist friend, or hire a designer, these tips and tools—dealing with everything from why your name should not be larger than the title, to color choices, use of image and font style—will allow you to package, showcase, and market your book in the most compelling way possible.
When: Mondays, January 9, 16, 23 30
Where: Online (tutorial)
Cost: RBWG Members $200; Non-Members $225
Publishing your work is important. Even if you are giving a piece to some smaller publication for free, you will learn something about your writing. The editor will say something, friends will mention it. You will learn.
—Tim Cahill
You’ve heard that your personal essays are good, maybe even great, and writers you respect have encouraged you to submit for publication. But how, and where, and to whom? Join us as we demystify the process of finding the right home for your work, the right (and wrong) ways to communicate with editors, how to develop a pitch, and how to handle rejection. Participants will learn how to scout out possible publications, work with online submission platforms, and receive an up-to-date contact list of editors/publications seeking essays. Celebrate 2023 with some wonderful acceptances! This may just be the year to get those essays off your computer and into editors’ hands!
Self-Publishing 101: A Guide to Prepping Your Book for Print --Crystal Heidel (1 session)
When: Saturday, February 25, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth
Cost: RBWG Members $50; Non-Members $60
Once you have decided to self-publish, there are a number of steps and decisions that writers need to make. It’s not just a matter of uploading a file into the Amazon self-publishing vehicle; it’s not even a matter of simply sending your Word document to a friend or a book designer who knows how to do this. There are things the writer must address before this step. Byzantium Sky Press owner Crystal Heidel, who has uploaded and designed numerous books for Guild authors interested in self-publishing, will offer writers a check-list of key issues necessary in the self-publishing process. These include such things as how to select a designer; why writers shouldn’t try to design the interior of the book themselves; why writers shouldn’t use Word for the final interior design; what fonts to use and why; how to order galley copies; how and where to purchase ISBN numbers, and how to apply these ISBN numbers to KDP (the new Createspace).
Book Cover Design: 8 Elements for Covers that Sell -- Crystal Heidel (1 session)
When: Saturday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth
Cost: RBWG Members $50; Non-Members $60
In this two-hour workshop geared towards any writer thinking about self-publishing a book (in any genre), designer and owner of Byzantium Sky Press, Crystal Heidel, will walk writers through the essential elements of cover design that all writers should understand when thinking about the cover for their book. The goal, of course, is to attract readers and not lose them before they even read the first page. Whether you plan to design your own cover, work with an artist friend, or hire a designer, these tips and tools—dealing with everything from why your name should not be larger than the title, to color choices, use of image and font style—will allow you to package, showcase, and market your book in the most compelling way possible.
Poetry
A Buffet of Poetry Possibilities -- Gail Comorat (4 sessions)
When: Thursdays, January 26, February 2, 9, 16
Where: Online (tutorial)
Cost: RBWG Members $200; Non-Members $225
Are you interested in learning the basics of poetry? Or have you been wanting to try your hand at writing Japanese verse? Maybe you would like to know more about form poems. For this tutorial, I’m offering four different classes from which to choose. All feature some type of poetry study for all levels of writers.
Each week, I’ll send an instructional packet with sample poems and assignments. You’ll have a week to send me questions and a “poem in progress” I’ll send comments to you and suggestions for making the poems stronger.
All you have to do is select which course you’d like to take and sign up for it. I’ll send you a letter about your chosen class and your first packet in January. Here are your choices:
Poetry 101: Whether you’re just beginning to write poetry or if you’ve been at it for a while, this class is designed to help with creating better line breaks, adding more music and metaphors to your poems. You’ll learn how to add tension and leaps. You’ll look at example poems with strong images and poems with titles that do the “heavy lifting” of the poem’s subject.
Memoir as Poetry: Memoir doesn’t have to be told as prose. If you have a story, it can become a poem. Often the most difficult part of writing memoir is deciding what to include. What if there were a way to condense our experiences into smaller, more powerful segments and arrange those segments—like photos in an album—side by side so only the most compelling images remain?
The Importance of Form II: You need not to have taken The Importance of Form I to take this class. Each week you’ll read example poems that use specific rules, then you’ll write your own versions of Sestina, Cento, Golden Shovel, and Duplex poems.
A Crash Course in Japanese Verse: For both prose and poetry writers. Japanese verse is a great starting place for every writer because it employs tight, vivid language. Over the four weeks, you’ll look at examples of Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Haibun, and write your own poems modeled after each style.
When: Thursdays, January 26, February 2, 9, 16
Where: Online (tutorial)
Cost: RBWG Members $200; Non-Members $225
Are you interested in learning the basics of poetry? Or have you been wanting to try your hand at writing Japanese verse? Maybe you would like to know more about form poems. For this tutorial, I’m offering four different classes from which to choose. All feature some type of poetry study for all levels of writers.
Each week, I’ll send an instructional packet with sample poems and assignments. You’ll have a week to send me questions and a “poem in progress” I’ll send comments to you and suggestions for making the poems stronger.
All you have to do is select which course you’d like to take and sign up for it. I’ll send you a letter about your chosen class and your first packet in January. Here are your choices:
Poetry 101: Whether you’re just beginning to write poetry or if you’ve been at it for a while, this class is designed to help with creating better line breaks, adding more music and metaphors to your poems. You’ll learn how to add tension and leaps. You’ll look at example poems with strong images and poems with titles that do the “heavy lifting” of the poem’s subject.
Memoir as Poetry: Memoir doesn’t have to be told as prose. If you have a story, it can become a poem. Often the most difficult part of writing memoir is deciding what to include. What if there were a way to condense our experiences into smaller, more powerful segments and arrange those segments—like photos in an album—side by side so only the most compelling images remain?
The Importance of Form II: You need not to have taken The Importance of Form I to take this class. Each week you’ll read example poems that use specific rules, then you’ll write your own versions of Sestina, Cento, Golden Shovel, and Duplex poems.
A Crash Course in Japanese Verse: For both prose and poetry writers. Japanese verse is a great starting place for every writer because it employs tight, vivid language. Over the four weeks, you’ll look at examples of Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Haibun, and write your own poems modeled after each style.
Nonfiction
Overcoming the Fear of Writing Memoir -- Judy Catterton (5 sessions)
When: Tuesdays, 10am - noon. January 10, 17, 24, 31 and February 7
Where: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth
Cost: RBWG Members $250; Non-Members $300
Does the notion of writing a memoir intimidate you? Are you afraid you don’t have stories worth telling? Or you’re not a good enough writer to tell them? Maybe you worry about what the telling may reveal about you, your family, your past, your secrets?
Every one of us has stories to tell and a desire to tell them. Maybe you want to record reminiscences for your children and/or grandchildren. Or maybe you want to reach a broader audience. This class will give you an opportunity to flesh out the stories you want or “need” to tell. You will hear from others in the same boat—that shaky one that holds people who also wonder if they are “real” writers—what resonates with them, what intrigues them, what they want to know more about. You’ll get to experiment with various ways of telling your stories and, no doubt, see that your stories do matter and are worth being written. You might work on stand-alone, individual essays or one continuous narrative. In this class, we will consider: how to include research; develop dialogue (both internal and external); decide on the most effective voice; deal with elusive memories and awkward “truths;” and other issues that relate to how best to tell your personal stories.
Your Story to Tell: Writing Your Own Obituary -- Rae Tyson (2 sessions)
When: Wednesdays, 10:30 - noon, January 18 and 25
Where: Zoom
Cost: RBWG Members $75; Non-Members $85
There is no better person to summarize your life than you. And that is why you should write your own obituary. Ultimately, it is your story to tell. It’s also a perfect chance to creatively emphasize the events and relationships that mean the most to you. This workshop will help guide that writing journey.
When: Tuesdays, 10am - noon. January 10, 17, 24, 31 and February 7
Where: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth
Cost: RBWG Members $250; Non-Members $300
Does the notion of writing a memoir intimidate you? Are you afraid you don’t have stories worth telling? Or you’re not a good enough writer to tell them? Maybe you worry about what the telling may reveal about you, your family, your past, your secrets?
Every one of us has stories to tell and a desire to tell them. Maybe you want to record reminiscences for your children and/or grandchildren. Or maybe you want to reach a broader audience. This class will give you an opportunity to flesh out the stories you want or “need” to tell. You will hear from others in the same boat—that shaky one that holds people who also wonder if they are “real” writers—what resonates with them, what intrigues them, what they want to know more about. You’ll get to experiment with various ways of telling your stories and, no doubt, see that your stories do matter and are worth being written. You might work on stand-alone, individual essays or one continuous narrative. In this class, we will consider: how to include research; develop dialogue (both internal and external); decide on the most effective voice; deal with elusive memories and awkward “truths;” and other issues that relate to how best to tell your personal stories.
Your Story to Tell: Writing Your Own Obituary -- Rae Tyson (2 sessions)
When: Wednesdays, 10:30 - noon, January 18 and 25
Where: Zoom
Cost: RBWG Members $75; Non-Members $85
There is no better person to summarize your life than you. And that is why you should write your own obituary. Ultimately, it is your story to tell. It’s also a perfect chance to creatively emphasize the events and relationships that mean the most to you. This workshop will help guide that writing journey.
Fiction
Graduate School in a Box (or Essentials of Fiction Writing) -- Maribeth Fischer (7 sessions)
Class Filled
When: Fridays, January 13, 20, 27, February 10, 17, 24, and March 3 (no assignment week of Feb 3)
Where: Online (tutorial)
RBWG RBWG Members $350; Non-Members $400
This is a class for writers coming to creative writing after years in the business, legal, or academic world. You know how to write; you’ve done it your whole life, but fiction is a different ballgame. Or maybe you’ve written creatively for years, are halfway through a novel, but never actually learned—or perhaps want to review—the fundamental techniques of fiction writing.
Each week we’ll explore a key aspect of fiction writing, doing brief exercises that allow participants to better understand how to apply these techniques to their own work. We’ll look at how to create three-dimensional characters who “seem to breathe on the page” (yes, there are specific techniques and rules to guide writers); we’ll discuss what constitutes plot (and no, you don’t have to have it figured out before you begin); we’ll discuss point of view and why it’s essential to all writing, look at how and when to write flashbacks; review the essential ingredients of good dialogue, and more. Each class will cover years of creative writing “lessons” distilled into what is essential for every writer to know.
Participants will be given a short assignment each week (and if the writer is currently working on a project—a novel or story—these assignments can be used to develop the writing of that specific project). A number of Guild writers who started with this class two short years ago are now well into novels begun with these exercises. Maribeth will offer feedback on each assignment.
Class Filled
When: Fridays, January 13, 20, 27, February 10, 17, 24, and March 3 (no assignment week of Feb 3)
Where: Online (tutorial)
RBWG RBWG Members $350; Non-Members $400
This is a class for writers coming to creative writing after years in the business, legal, or academic world. You know how to write; you’ve done it your whole life, but fiction is a different ballgame. Or maybe you’ve written creatively for years, are halfway through a novel, but never actually learned—or perhaps want to review—the fundamental techniques of fiction writing.
Each week we’ll explore a key aspect of fiction writing, doing brief exercises that allow participants to better understand how to apply these techniques to their own work. We’ll look at how to create three-dimensional characters who “seem to breathe on the page” (yes, there are specific techniques and rules to guide writers); we’ll discuss what constitutes plot (and no, you don’t have to have it figured out before you begin); we’ll discuss point of view and why it’s essential to all writing, look at how and when to write flashbacks; review the essential ingredients of good dialogue, and more. Each class will cover years of creative writing “lessons” distilled into what is essential for every writer to know.
Participants will be given a short assignment each week (and if the writer is currently working on a project—a novel or story—these assignments can be used to develop the writing of that specific project). A number of Guild writers who started with this class two short years ago are now well into novels begun with these exercises. Maribeth will offer feedback on each assignment.
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