One-day intensive writing programs in Santa Fe

Here are some examples of our past writing programs

Writing Your Story with Anya Achtenberg

Through writing explorations, memory and sensory exercises, free writing and storytelling, Achtenberg will help participants learn to use their lives as a resource for writing autobiographical fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir or autobiography. The workshop will help participants discover a narrative voice to use to powerfully convey their stories and move beyond facts and dates. Achtenberg, who teaches and lectures around the country, has received numerous literary prizes for her fiction. Her recent book of poetry, "The Stone of Language," was published by West End Press.

Strong Fiction: Point of View with Lynn Stegner

The interplay between the narrative lens—or point of view—of a story and its content is a crucial element in compelling fiction. The point of view must cast a spell of imaginative credibility, and also uncover, layer by layer, the story’s themes. Intended for writers at levels, this intensive workshop addresses the most essential decisions any fiction writer must make---who narrates the story, what is the narrator’s motivation and how does that motivation shape and drive the plot? Participants are encouraged to bring ongoing work for round-table discussions. Two of Lynn Stegner’s novels, "Undertow" and "Fata Morgana," were nominated for the National Book Award. "Pipers at the Gates of Dawn" was awarded the Faulkner Society’s Gold Medal for Best Novella. "Because a Fire Was in My Head" received the Faulkner Award for best novel of 2005.

Get Published! Painless Queries and Other Winning Tricks of the Trade with Shirley-Raye Redmond

Join this personable, prolific, award-winning nonfiction writer for a one-day workshop on how to get your book or article published. The day includes hands-on writing practice. Redmond shares her insider’s knowledge of how to grab an editor’s attention, win a publisher’s heart, and get a contract. Her “query template" recently resulted in the go-ahead for an article for Islands Magazine. Redmond is the author of nine books including a romantic suspense novel, more than 400 magazine articles and many books for children, including three to be published this year. She has taught writing and literature at the Los Alamos campus of the University of New Mexico and was named Outstanding Literary Artist of the Year by the Los Alamos Arts Council in 1996.

Storybuilding: Keys to Fabulous Fiction with Sarah Lovett

Intended for writers at all levels and in all stages of the process, this intensive program will cover setting, point of view, characters, plotting, building suspense and more. Hands-on writing exercises explore the elements of story from first idea to final page. Participants will come away with practical creative strategies and the basic building blocks of a story. Shy writers and memoir folks welcome! Over the course of writing six novels and more than two dozen works of non-fiction, Lovett has discovered a balance between the intuitive and a structured process to writing, an approach she shares with the class. Her novels, described as thrillers, feature a forensic psychologist heroine who works in New Mexico and Southern California. Lovett 's 25 non-fiction books include the award-winning "Extremely Weird" children’s series. She is currently working on several fiction projects.

Transforming Art Into Words: Ekphrastic Poetry with Arthur Sze

Join internationally acclaimed poet and teacher Arthur Sze for a hands-on workshop on the craft of writing poetry inspired by visual images. Derived from the Greek, Ekphrastic poetry began long ago when students learned to write poetry by focusing on the architecture and art in museums or grand public places. The form has made a comeback in the last decade, influenced and nurtured by poets of today. This workshop will include a series of writing exercises that will serve as practice for empowering your own writing. Participants should bring a book of images of fine art or photography. Sze is the author of seven volumes of poetry. He is also an exceptional translator of Chinese classical poetry with the publication of The Silk Dragon: Translations from the Chinese (2001). He has taught in the Creative Writing Program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe for 18 years.