In this 8-week, creative writing workshop for women, we will be inspired by fairy tales and folklore from around the world. So that every student may have a critique every week if she wishes, the class is capped at 4 students.
Every week, we will read fairy tales or folklore, or about them, both in poetry and prose. We will also check out traditional and nontraditional takes on fairy tales and folk tales in visual art and animation, and listen to music incorporating these magical themes. The emphasis is on generating our own poems or other kinds of writing, so we will not have so much homework, just a few selections a week.
In every class, we will begin with a bit of writing from prompts, which women may share if they wish. (Of course, we won’t critique anything written quickly and spontaneously.) Each week, we will also discuss a different fairy tale/folklore theme (such as transformations, secret girls, and that perennial favorite, witches). The final part of the workshop is an opportunity for each woman to share her work and to get a critique (if she wishes for one) in a supportive, honest environment One is not required to write an entirely new fairy tale every week, just to try to respond to some of this rich and fabulous material in some way, whether it is an image, a theme, etc. Play with these powerful stories in a traditional way, a subversive way, or...your way, why not? Fairy tales have always taught us what girls and women should be, but as a woman yourself, you are the expert!
The class tuition is $320. The class will run on Thursdays, April 18th-June 6th, 6-8 pm Pacific Time, with a brief break midway through. Classes will meet on Zoom. (Note, there is also another section of this class, which will begin in March, but it is full.)
About the teacher: Colleen Shoshana McKee, MFA, is the author of six books of poetry, memoir, and fiction. She has been teaching for over 20 years. She is endlessly fascinated by folk stories; they fill her dreams. https://www.colleenshoshanamckee.com/
I would be happy to schedule a free conversation to talk about writing goals with potential participants.
The deadline for registration is April 11th. The deadline for payment is April 17th.