Creative Writing
Teaching Artists: Margaret Heemstra & Lynn Schwartz
Contact: mheemstra@aacps.org, laschwartz@aacps.org
Tuesdays & Thursdays at Studio 39
2 days per week
All Primes welcomed and encouraged.
The Creative Habit (7 Sessions)
Dates: August 30 - September 20
We’ll identify the creative self in each of us and explore how to establish the most effective process for our ongoing artistic work. Learn to create a healthy and powerful working practice, an inspirational workspace, and techniques to combat barriers to creativity such as writer’s block, procrastination, and the inner critic.
Publishing 101 (4 Sessions)
Dates: September 22 - October 4
Learn the ins and outs of publishing. Whether you hope to have a novel, collection of stories/poetry, or art/photography/design book published, you’ll need to know your options. Let’s examine how to submit a manuscript and understand what is expected in the publishing process, including professional etiquette, proper email style, and the agent query letter. We will explore effective book promotion and how to best pitch your ideas in an interview or email. We’ll also learn to use a variety of creative exercises designed to help you develop and maintain a positive and professional attitude toward your work.
The Craft of Emotion: Discovering the Emotional Truth of Your Story (8 Sessions)
Dates: October 6 - November 10
We can read a novel, watch a performance, or view a work of visual art, but this will not be memorable unless the artist has conveyed a strong, underlying emotion. Even when a story is beautifully written, it may not be enough to make the reader care. The key lies with the emotional impact your story has on the reader. We’ll explore specific techniques to apply to your writing so that a reader will experience their own emotional journey – making them invested in your characters’ struggles, discoveries, and triumphs. These techniques can be applied to stories told on and off the page.