Resource person: Audra Bullard

Description:

This course will explore writing fiction and creative nonfiction. Participants
will be welcome to bring short stories, novel beginnings, or works of creative nonfiction (memoir, for example). The workshop method, in which we discuss original work as a class, is the tried-and-true method of writing programs from
the famed Iowa Writers’ Workshop to the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. Participants will be asked to bring manuscripts of approximately twenty double-spaced pages to the workshop (first drafts are welcome). Through discussion, exercises, and personalized feedback, we will explore narrative technique, including structure, pace, characterization, setting, and tone. This course is intended to help writers achieve a solid launch on a new project or revitalize an old one. The meeting dates for this four week workshop are:

1. Thursday, May 28th, 3-5pm
2. Thursday, June 11th, 3-5pm
3. Thursday, June 18th, 3-5pm
4. Thursday, June 25th, 3-5pm

Dr. Brian Railsback is a Professor of English at Western Carolina University, where he served as founding Dean of The Honors College and now teaches creative writing and U.S. literature. He has published a novel, short stories, a scholarly book, and numerous essays. He created the popular graduate course at WCU, “Writing the Novel.” In 2022, he was a Fiction Participant at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and in 2023 was the Steve Kemp Writer in Residence at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 2025, he was the
first American guest editor of the European review, “American Literatures.”

Notes: Cancellation Policy (Please Read) Please let us know immediately if you are unable to attend a class. There is no refund for cancellations within two (2) weeks prior to a scheduled class. Programs that include food, beverage or art materials must be canceled within three (3) weeks prior in order to receive a refund. CLE reserves the right to cancel a program if the minimum enrollment has not been met or for circumstances beyond our control, and participants will be notified, a complete refund will be issued. All classes are held in the CLE Lecture Hall at the Peggy Crosby Center unless otherwise noted. In the event information has changed from the published brochure, it will be posted on our website and in our e-blasts. Addresses for “private home” venues will be provided to registrants within 2 days of the program date.

More information: Please Note: a 3% processing fee will be added to all credit card transactions

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