Richard Hugo House

and

NW MediaArts

Present:

Writing Fantastic Fiction Workshop Series

Fall Quarter 2008

The literature of speculative fiction provides the perfect oeuvre to hold a mirror up to humanity and look at who we are and what we might become. By telling tales of "the other" we discover ourselves. By projecting current trends forward, we ask "what if?" and compare the world that is with worlds that might be. Fantastic fiction has long been the home of astute social commentary and in-depth exploration of what it means to be human. Important work is being written in the realm of fantasy, science fiction, mythic and fabulist fiction, and these workshops provide an opportunity to work with masters of the field.

This workshop series will take you on a voyage of discovery as critically acclaimed authors from around the country arrive in Seattle to teach a day-long workshop focusing on writing tools that will further your craft and provide you with tools to sharpen your skills, whether wriiting fabulist fiction or mainstream. Each author will teach a one-day Sunday workshop and give a reading and book signing for the general public the following day, Monday, at 7:00 p.m. Workshops include discussion, in-class writing exercizes and critiquing.

Invite the Reader to the Party: What Show, Don’t Tell really means

Instructor: Mary Rosenblum

Everybody has heard “show, don’t tell” from sixth grade English class on. What does it really mean? No matter how well structured your story, no matter how vividly you describe your characters, if the readers are standing back, observing the action, they might as well be watching TV. Prose fiction allows us to magically invite the readers to step into that scene, so that they live the adventure with your characters. We’ll discuss techniques for how to reduce narrative distance to zero and do writing exercises that will help you bring your stories to life for your readers.

Mary Rosenblum has published 8 novels and more than 60 short stories with major magazines since graduating from the Clarion West Writers Workshop in 1988. Her work has been short-listed for a number of awards and won her the Compton Crook Award. Mary has taught fiction writing for over fifteen years. She lives and writes on country acreage where she also teaches workshops on sustainable living. Her novel Horizons from Tor Books is available at bookstores, and the “Drylands” collection, Water Rites, is available from Fairwood Press. You can find out more about Mary at her website.

Mary will also read at the Fantastic Fiction Salon reading on Monday, September 22, 2008.

Sunday, September 21, 2008
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Please bring lunch.
Registration information

Heroes and Villains: Write Them so Real They Step Off the Page

Instructor: Charles de Lint

We will explore and define the line between well-drawn, fully realized sympathetic heroes and the many shades that make up a similarly well-drawn villain. Conflict between these two archetypes is what drives the plot, and the success of your story depends on your reader believing in both the characters and their conflict. Most villains don’t think they’re villains, and many heroes only see their short-comings. We’ll look at examples of Heroes and Villains in myth and literature, and through a combination of exercises and discussion, each student will develop a Hero, a Villain, and a conflict that can improve a current work or serve as the core of a new one.

Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and Americana/folk musician. He established the genre of “mythic fiction,” which falls somewhere between fantasy and mainstream fiction with a magical realist bent. It is sometimes also considered “urban myth” and is known for being “fantasy for people who normally don’t read fantasy.” He is a winner of the multiple awards, including the World Fantasy Award, and the author of over 40 books, including both novels and short story collections.

Charles will also read and play music at the Fantastic Fiction Salon reading on Monday, October 27, 2008.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Please bring lunch.
Registration information

The Plot Thickens: The Art and Science of Plotting

Instructor: Connie Willis

Award-winning author Connie Willis will lay bare the structure underlying works of literature from pulp stories to Shakespeare and everything in between. She’ll teach students how to structure their plots using writing exercises and multiple examples from literature, speculative fiction, and movies.

Connie Willis has won more awards (19) than any other SF author for her insightful, witty novels and numerous works of short fiction. Celebrated as a humorist with spot-on comic timing, she also uses her fiction to examine larger questions: the nature of God, the persistence of suffering and loss, and the role of love and redemption. Her much-anticipated new novel, All Clear, will be released in 2009.

Connie will also read at the Fantastic Fiction Salon reading on Monday, November 17th, 2008.

Sunday, November 16th, 2008
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Please bring lunch.
Registration information

Co-sponsored by Richard Hugo House and NW MediaArts

How to Register

If you already are or become a member of Richard Hugo House at the time of registration, take the member tuition rate.

Clarion West Alumni also get the member rate for these classes.

Online registration information at Hugo House

Phone:

Call Hugo House at (206) 322-7030 with your credit card information from 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. weekdays, and Noon-5:00 p.m. Saturdays (except holidays).

Fax:

You may also fax your registration and credit card information to (206) 320-8767.

Leslie Howle
NWMediaArts
events@nwmediaarts.com
206-799-2030

Previous Workshops