Whether you are dusting off a manuscript, re-envisioning a draft, or creating a first draft, this workshop helps sharpen skills to write your story in your voice. In both fiction and nonfiction, we consider the story arc and the elements of fiction created by plot, character, setting, dialogue and point of view. Where is the dramatic tension of the beat? The scene? The story? Where is dramatic tension lacking? How do you create it? In each three hour session, participants receive detailed critique of work submitted prior to class. Expect constructive criticism, encouragement AND community-meant to inspire participants to improve and move projects toward completion.

Participants email drafts five days prior to workshop for initial reading and written critique. Writers have opportunity/option for brief commentary on others' work, but majority of critique will be from me. Goal: to allow each member to share material each time we meet, but if life gets too busy for writing, do not stay away. Come for writing community and refocus. I may supplement meeting time with writing exercises designed to sharpen scenes and skills, tips on publishing, etc.

Enrolling now for Spring Session! Contact Susanne to register.

Praise from workshop members:

"Throughout my career in technical editing, grant writing, and journalism, friends and colleagues have urged me to write fiction. For 19 years, a story has languished somewhere between my imagination and psyche. Thanks to Susanne -her intuitive encouragement, insightful criticism, and gentle bludgeoning-my story is coming alive at last."
--Holly Armstrong, novelist from Connecticut

"I feel bouyed up by Susanne's wisdom. Susanne gets to the heart of the writing and helps us focus on the process--to dig deeper into awareness and find the story inside us."
--Mara Berkley, novelist from Rhode Island

"Susanne Davis's instruction has been invaluable to me in writing my first novel. Her experience and deep knowledge of literature and creative writing have well served myself and other members of our writing group as she provided thoughtful review of our pieces. Susanne clearly communicates her detailed analysis of plot, character and setting so that my work certainly has benefitted. As important as Susanne's technical expertise is the gracious manner in which she conducts the group."
--Ed Burke, Vermont lawyer and fiction writer

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Writing in St. Petersburg, Russia