New Writing Classes at the Storyteller's Cottage

The Storyteller’s Cottage is a central hub for writers in the Simsbury area. There are three new writing classes starting this February at the Storyteller’s Cottage: Write a Legacy Book for Your Family, Write Your Memoir or Novel (winter session), and Build a Better Story.

Write a Legacy Book for Your Family

• Wednesdays, February 5-26 | 1:00-3:00 pm
• Students will spend four productive Wednesday afternoons getting their family legacy book projects organized and ready to publish into a hard-bound book for all their favorite people to enjoy! They will learn to identify the important family stories, traditions, and experiences they should include; brainstorm questions for older family members to fill in the gaps; and refine all their raw data into an organized structure. Students will share their stories with classmates and discuss how to handle sad or sensitive topics, and they’ll cheer each other on to the finish line. By the end of the class, each student will have a document that’s ready to upload to online printing companies.
• Students should bring a laptop or notebook and several family photographs to begin.
• Instructor: Lynn Katz
• Cost: $160 for 4 weeks
• Special: Bring a friend, and both will receive 10% off tuition!
• Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/write-a-legacy-book-for-your-family

Write Your Memoir or Novel (Winter Session)

• Thursdays, February 6 - March 26 | 6:00-8:00 pm
• This collaborative workshop will provide students with the necessary guidance, structure, and writer’s tools to write their memoir or novel in 2020. They will learn to draw upon their life experiences to write their memoirs or to craft fiction from their imaginations. Students will tackle their writing from all angles -- as a reader, writer, editor, and with an eye toward publication. They will write a minimum of one chapter per week, and one-on-one conferencing with the instructor is included.
• All writing levels are welcome.
• Instructor: C. Flanagan Flynn
• Cost: $250 for 6 weeks
• Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/write-your-memoir-or-novel-winter-1

Build a Better Story

• Saturdays, February 8 - March 14 | 1:00-2:30 pm
• Writers who have a fantastic idea for a short story or novel but need some professional help to turn it into an eloquent and gripping piece of work will benefit from this class. They can choose from among any of the sessions or attend all six!
• February 8: Characters Create Story - Using examples from recent stories and films, this workshop combines techniques from drama, screenwriting, and fiction to create characters who will help build a dynamic plot. Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-better-story-characters
• February 15: Plotting Your Novel - This workshop takes students through the process of developing an idea into a workable premise that can generate a full story. From there, they will examine how to build a plot that will keep readers asking questions and turning pages until they reach a powerful and satisfying ending. Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-better-story-plot-your-novel
• February 22: Point of View - Using recent examples, students will learn how to choose the narrator who can give their stories that extra punch. Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-better-story-point-of-view
• February 29: Dialogue - Students will learn to refine their dialogue to make their characters distinct, even as they strengthen their plots and establish moods. This workshop includes exercises that apply to all fiction writing. Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-better-story-dialogue
• March 7: Short Story Basics - Using writing prompts and recent examples, students will learn to focus on the few absolute basics to create a satisfying short story. Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-better-story-short-story-basics
• March 14: Revising Your First Draft - The instructor will offer a practical approach to polishing work. He will start with the major issues (character, plot, structure, and pacing), then tackle smaller but crucial problems, including dialogue, transitions, and tense. He will offer hints on proofreading and copyediting, and the all-important beta reader to help students make their writing as strong as it can be. Register: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-better-story-revising-first-draft
• Instructor: Steve Liskow
• Cost: $35 for one class, $195 for all six (save $30)
• Register for all six: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/build-a-better-story-all-6-classes

The Storyteller’s Cottage is located in a vintage Victorian house in the center of historic Simsbury, CT, and hosts all manner of immersive literary events throughout the year, including Agatha Christie inspired live murder mystery parties, Great Gatsby themed Jazz Supper Clubs, fascinating close-up illusions at Fine Parlor Magic nights, a Literary Dinner Party series on select evenings at midnight, and more.

The Storyteller's Cottage is located at 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Parking for The Storyteller's Cottage is free, and is available on the street in front of the building, and in the Fiddler's Green parking lot on Wilcox Street (behind the house). For more information, please call 860-877-6099 or visit www.StorytellersCottage.com.