Writing the Book Length Manuscript, June 28-July 1, 2012:
Knowing that the story or stories we are writing are long, arcing up and down and up and down can be overwhelming. In fact, it can make us not want to push on. How can I finish? we think.
I've called it the terror of page 156. What now I wonder each time I get there. How to move forward? How to finish? How in the heck do I go on?
Sometimes all we need is the company of others. We need other writers, people who intimately know what we are undertaking; people who are similarly invested in achieving that same goal.
In late June, I am offering a writing workshop in my home in Oakland, California from July 28-31 designed for writers undertaking a long manuscript, hopefully with some work completed, from at least 25 pages to nearly done.
For three days from 9-4 (Sunday, July 1st we will end at 12 and then have lunch), we will focus on your manuscript through a process of lecture, discussion, writing, reading aloud, and further discussion.
Each day will start with a lecture, a writing exercise, and then culminate in an afternoon of workshop. On one day of the four, we will have a guest lecturer (TBA) in the afternoon who will add to your understanding of the writing process and your manuscript specifically. You should leave the four days with a direction for your manuscript and an understanding of what you need to do to complete it.
A continental breakfast and coffee and a full lunch will be provided each day as well as beverages and snacks. We will be in my home in the Oakland hills with view of cypress and redwood trees, coffee and lunches out on the patio and deck. I will provide hotel/motel accommodation information for those from out of town as well as suggestions about evening meals in Oakland (we have amazing restaurants).
I’ve been teaching novel writing for UCLA Extension for over ten years, and several of my former students have gone on to publication. I am a tenured professor of English at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, where I’ve taught creative writing since 1990. I’m the author of twelve traditionally published novels (Penguin and Kensington Books) with a mass market edition of Intimate Beings out Fall 2011. My short stories, poems, and essays have recently appeared or are forthcoming in Pebble Lake Review, Compass Rose, The Smoking Poet, AOL News, parentdish.com and other online venues. My short story collection was a finalist in the Black Lawrence Press Hudson Prize in 2011.
http://www.jessicabarksdaleinclan.com/
or
http://www.redroom.com/author/jessica-barksdale-inclan
Since I've written around the genres and taught everything from literary fiction to romance writing, all genres/types welcome.
Workshop Cost: 450 dollars, non-inclusive of accommodations, but a 100 dollar discount given to those who enroll by May 30th.
Deadline June 10 for deposit of $100, refundable up to June 10. Full payment due first day of workshop.
Class size maximum 10
Please email me at jbarkinclan@gmail.com for further information.
Comments from former workshop participants:
Jessica Barksdale provided a warm and creative environment at her workshop where we could learn about, think about, and write about our characters, settings, and plots. She is an incredibly knowledgeable literary scholar and an expert at her craft. Learning from her was a gift--Terri, Truckee, CA
Jessica Barksdale is just a really great writing teacher. As someone who has studied the arts most of my life (ballet, acting, singing) it strikes that many of my teachers had such difficult personalities that it made it hard to digest what they were actually teaching. I appreciate how skillfully she presented information, the concrete doable writing exercises she had us do, and the considerate way she dealt with each student.
Jessica is personable, likable, and pretty silly at times. She is also very able to provide direct useful criticism. I think everyone left the workshop with an enthusiastic sense of direction. I know I did--Adriane, Los Angeles, CA
I had always dreamed of going to a writing retreat, several days of learning and writing with writers in a serene environment. When Jessica’s email announcing a four-day retreat at her home popped up on the screen, I was ready to go. The retreat was more than I had imagined. I never doubted I’d learn a lot. I have always learned from Jessica over the years. She’s been my best source for inspiration and learning the craft.
Ten writers assembled and after four days together, I have new friends who encourage, critique with kindness and wisdom, and like to laugh together. The homemade food was delicious and we begged for the recipes. We practiced what we learned for improving our writing in cozy chairs on three levels inside the house or sitting on desks surrounded by trees. My dream came true. Thank you, Jessica--Julaina, Martinez, CA
