Looseleaf Writing Workshop Series Fall 2008


Check back soon for a list of workhops for the Fall of 2008. 

Looseleaf Writing Workshop Series

In 2007-8, under the tireless direction of Dan Tyx, the Sycamore Review has continued and expanded its Looseleaf Writing Workshop Series. Its purpose is to present the craft expertise of the Creative Writing Program at Purdue to the community of the Greater Lafayette area through cooperation with local schools and libraries.

Past and current Looseleaf projects are listed below.  If you are looking for details on 2008 workshops, please scroll further down the page.


Fall 2007 After School Workshops 

This fall, five volunteers conducted a six-week after school poetry workshop series for students ages 5-12 at the South Side Community Center in Lafayette. Over twenty-five students participated in poetry exercises that covered topics such as rhythm, the five senses, metaphor, and odes.  The volunteers from the Creative Writing Program were Keverlee Burchett, Katie Connor, Nicole Hardy, Dan Tyx, and James Xiao.  At the conclusion of the six weeks, we published a book featuring the writing of the students that was distributed to all of the participants.

Check back soon for pictures and some selected poems.


Spring 2008 Writing Workshop Series 

This spring, we're partnering with local public libraries to offer two writing workshop series.  On the second Thursday evening of each month, we will be offering a fiction writing workshop at the Tippecanoe County Public Library, open to all ages.  Then, on the third Thursday evening, will be offering a poetry writing workshop at the West Lafayette Public Library.  All workshops will begin at 6:30 PM and run until 8:30 for Tippecanoe Fiction Series, and until 8:00 PM for the West Lafayette Poetry Series.  The workshop leaders for the fiction series are Erin Blakeslee, Dan Tyx, Mehdi Okasi, Chris Arnold, James Xiao, Michael Wang, Katie Connor, and Darryl Lynne Evans.  For the poetry series, the workshop leaders are Cheryl Quimba, Eric Scovel, Anna Lowe, Keverlee Burchett, and Theresa Smith.

If you are interested in participating in any of the writing workshops listed below, you can either sign up beforehand at the library where it will be held or simply show up at the scheduled times.


Workshop Descriptions and Dates


Fiction (Tippecanoe County Public Library from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM)

January 10, 2008

Picturing the Personal: Image and Writing from Personal Experience

 

Practice using startling images and personal experience to add layers of detail and meaning to your writing.

 

Presenters: Dan Tyx and Erin Blakeslee

 

February 14, 2008 - Moved to February 7, 2008 (so as not to conflict with Valentine's Day)

What Characters Want: Exploring Character and Motivation

 

We all want something, but often characters in fiction lack motivation. Try out techniques to make characters more dynamic and memorable.

 

Presenters: Daryll Lynne Evans and Chris Feliciano Arnold

 

March 6, 2008

Writing in a Flash: Writing Dialogue and Flash Fiction

 

Flash fiction is usually less than 2,000 words, and often much shorter than that. The presenters will offer ideas for writing impactful short stories and effective dialogue in a supercharged format.

 

Presenters: Michael Wang and James Xiao

 

April 10, 2008

Where Do We Begin?: Creating Setting and that Gripping Opening Page

 

There are few things more intimidating than a blank page. We will explore ways to get started that draw in readers and create a strong sense of place.

 

Presenters: Katie Connor and Mehdi Okasi

 

 

Poetry (West Lafayette Public Library from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM)

 

January 17, 2008

Telling a Story with Poetry: Narrative and Persona Poetry

 

Practice writing poems that develop a narrative line as well as take on the voice of different characters.

 

Workshop Leader: Theresa Smith

February 21, 2008

Odes: Poetry of Gratitude and Appreciation

 

Learn new techniques to craft poems about things and places of special personal significance.

 

Workshop Leader: Cheryl Quimba

March 20, 2008

Writing Without Walls: Nature Poetry

 

Explore writing inspired by the natural world that is always around us, but many times goes unnoticed.

 

Workshop Leader: Anna Lowe

April 3, 2008

Literature, Reimagined: Creating Poems Out of Existing Texts

 

Experience a different way of creating exciting poetry by applying methods of constraint and selection to the language of existing texts.

 

Workshop Leader: Eric Scovel

April 17, 2008

Writing the Visual Arts: Ekphrastic Poetry

 

Create poems in response to the work of visual artists who speak to you without words.

 

Workshop Leader: Keverlee Burchett