News & Events

UNC Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program Offers Summer Workshops

April 22, 2011

Local writers will have the opportunity to hone their skills with UNC Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program's summer workshops in poetry and prose. Classes are open to all interested writers but class size is limited; early registration is suggested.

Poet Jeff Davis will lead "Getting the Muse Back into Gear: A Poetry Workshop," from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 8-July 13, at Montford Books & More, 31 Montford Ave. in Asheville. Davis is the author of the books "Transits of Venus" and "Natures: Selected Poems, 1972-2005." Working with Davis, students will use Oulipean approaches and techniques explored by Black Mountain College poet Jonathan Williams – found language and elements of chance – to bring new life to the writing process.

Brian Lee Knopp, author of "Mayhem in Mayberry: Misadventures of a P.I. in Southern Appalachia," will lead a narrative nonfiction writing workshop from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 8-July 13, at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. The workshop, "You See What I’m Saying?: Creating and Preserving an Authentic Voice in Narrative Nonfiction," is dedicated to helping writers create a vivid, convincing, and authentic narrative, using personal interviews as a starting point.

Peggy Tabor Millin, author of "Women, Writing, Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine,"and founder of ClarityWorks, will lead "Writing a Slice of Life: Generating Memoirs and Family Stories" from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 7-July 5, at Grateful Steps, Inc., 159 S. Lexington Ave. in Asheville. Students will use verbal and visual prompts to develop character, action, dialogue, and setting, and learn how to use them effectively in writing true stories.

Heather Newton, author of "Under the Mercy Trees," will lead "Such a Character: A Fiction Workshop" Thursday evenings from June 9-July 14 at Montford Books & More, 31 Montford Ave. in Asheville. This class for beginning or experienced writers will focus on how to develop believable and compelling fictional characters through effective use of point-of-view, voice, dialog, description and gesture.

Each course qualifies for one UNC Asheville credit hour in literature and language. In-state tuition and fees for five-session courses are $98.33; cost for out-of-state residents is $529.81. A $20 non-refundable application fee for new students will also be charged.

For more information or to register visit unca.edu/gswp or call 828.251.6099.