2005 workshops (Friday through Sunday):

Two spaces left in June  -- Sign up now!

June 10-12     July 8-10     August 26-28     September 16-18

October 21-23     November 11-13     December 2-4

Revision is arguably the most important step in the creative process.  Writing and reconsidering a single poem during an email-based workshop led by Ryan Tranquilla will lead you to not only make the individual piece better, but ultimately become a stronger writer.

Writing is, ideally, about freeing yourself from inhibitions and allowing thoughts, ideas, and images to come through unimpeded. Revision takes the opposite tack: finding out what's essential, and removing the rest.

A meaningful revision process forces the writer to ask hard questions and evaluate all of the poems elements:

• Can the reader find her way in the poem, moving naturally from one line or stanza to the next?
• Will each word and line "pull its weight" in the poem?
• Should stanzas be rewritten, moved around, or dropped?
• Does the poem's beginning flow naturally into its middle, its middle into the end?

In a three day revision workshop you will apply these questions and further exercises to one newly written poem. Friday is devoted to the first draft, Saturday and Sunday to at least one comprehensive revision a day. By Sunday night, you will have completed a full cycle of writing and revising, learning more about yourself and your work along the way. Drafts and comments are conveniently exchanged among participants solely via email.

Limited to groups of six to ensure individual attention and feedback from all members of the workshop. Requirements: Access to email and enough time to devote to an intense three days of working on your own poem and commenting on the drafts of five other participants. Cost: $90.

Space in each workshop will be reserved only when a check or PayPal payment is received.

For more details or to sign up for an upcoming workshop, please contact Ryan directly.

2005 workshops (Friday through Sunday):

June 10-12     July 8-10     August 26-28     September 16-18