Writing workshops this summer: "How to Write Great Characters" and "Writing Your Life & Other Personal Stories"

How to Write Great Characters    

Offered in two locales:
Saturday, July 11, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Burlington Public Library, Centennial Room, 2331 New Street, Burlington, (Map here.)

And

Saturday, July 18, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Forest Heights Library, 251 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener, Ontario (Map here)

Whatever you're writing ~ fiction or nonfiction ~ readers will care about your story only if they care about your people. In this workshop, you'll learn techniques for creating fictional characters and depicting real people. You’ll learn how to breathe life into the page so that your characters start telling you how the story should go.

In Burlington on July 11, our guest speaker will be Jean Rae Baxter. Jean writes for both an adult audience and for young adults. She is the author of seven books: two short story collections, four young adult historical novels, and a literary murder mystery, Looking for Cardenio. Her fifth historical novel, Hope’s Journey, will be released by Ronsdale Press in September. Jean's books and short stories have won her many awards and critical recognition in Canada, the United States and Israel. Visit her website at www.jeanraebaxter.ca.

What past participants say:

Hi, Brian. I just wanted to thank you for the “Writing Great Characters” workshop on Saturday.  I have been stalled in my writing, and I realized at the workshop it was because I didn't have a clear picture of my character's personality and motives.  Your exercises and handouts have inspired me and I'm happy to say I spent the rest of the weekend writing.  Writer's block conquered (for now, ha)! Looking forward to all the upcoming workshops!  ~Marina Unger

Fee: 40.71+ 13% hst = 46 paid in advance
or 43.36 + 13% hst = 49 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

The Huronia Foundation for the Arts presents…

Writing your life and other personal stories

Saturday, August 15, 2015

12:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Midland Public Library, 320 King Street, Midland, Ontario (In cottage country. Map here)

Have you ever considered writing your memoirs or family history? This workshop will introduce you to the tricks and conventions of telling true stories and will show you how to use the techniques of the novel to recount actual events. Whether you want to write for your family or for a wider public, don't miss this workshop.

Fee:  34.51 + hst = 39 in advance or 37.17 + hst = 42 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. Along with Cecilia-Anca Popescu, he is the co-author of Bloody Christmas, a memoir of love and revolution, which is currently under consideration with a literary agent. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Algonquin Park, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Collingwood, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Niagara on the Lake, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.