Which of these statements describes you best?

• I like reading for fun.
• I’m interested in reading and analyzing literary prose or poetry.
• I’m interested in writing literary prose or poetry.
• I’m interested in writing better literary prose or poetry.
• I’ve tried reading literary fiction — but some/most of it goes over my head.
• I’ve tried creative writing — but struggle to put the good ideas in my head down on paper.
• I have to/want to take a literature or creative writing course — but the idea scares me to death.

If one or more of these statements resonate with you, or describes you and your current situation, come to our Saturday CRW Workshop February 9 to learn some writing/reading “secrets” that will improve your reading, your writing, and your quality of life.

MFA and GCC Creative Writing Instructor Gary Lawrence will lead a very participative workshop on “getting more” out of any literature – either more entertainment and appreciation, or more tools to help make you a better reader and creative writer (the two are intimately connected). We’ll use a 10-question reusable template to “break open” a prose short story – and then use this same short story as an example of points made. Time permitting, we’ll use a second short story to “test” your understanding and application of the ideas presented.

Among the things we’ll explore in this two-hour workshop are:

• A creative writer’s mantra: “Read like a writer. Write for the reader.”
• Ten standard questions to ask to get more out of any literary piece (the keys to the “science” behind a better literary analysis and uncovering more writing tools).
• The difference between a literary analysis (understanding better/quicker what a piece “means”) and a creative writing analysis (discovering writing craft methods to write better yourself).
• Reading comprehension level, and why it matters.

The workshop plan includes a mix of presentation, reading, analysis, discussion and (at least a little) writing. You’ll walk away with the reusable 10-question template, a better understanding of how literature “works,” and a few tips to make you a better writer.  Literary critics or writers of any genre will benefit from the methods, techniques, and ideas presented and discussed.  The workshop is free and open to the public.

• Who: Gary Lawrence, MFA – GCC Instructor
• What: How to “Get More” Out of Any Literature
• When: Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 10:00 am to noon
• Where: Language Arts building, GCC Campus (LA 141)
• Why: Because this workshop will make you a better reader, writer, and person.

Workshop materials and handouts:

• august evening_oates
• Chapter VII_vignette_hemingway
• how to get more_GCC 190209

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Gary Lawrence currently teaches creative writing online for GCC: Introduction to Creative Writing (CRW150), Introduction to Writing Fiction (CRW170), and Intermediate Fiction Writing (CRW270). Until recently he also taught composition courses at GCC and at Cochise College (Sierra Vista). Gary’s also a prize-winning, published short story author (Feast,Rockford Writer’s Guild, Short Story America, Four Chambers, Mirage, Canyon Voices). In 2011 Gary earned an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He issued his first collection of short stories, Baffled, in 2013. He is currently working on a second story collection.