Power of Poetry

In this course, we will examine poems and discuss the uses of image, rhythm, rhyme, diction, metaphor and form. Writers of all levels are invited to bring poems already written or waiting to be written as we explore the joys and power of poetry.

Instructor: Diana Pinckney, an award-wining writer, is the author of 3 collection of poetry: Fishing with Tall Woman, winner of North Carolina’s Persephone Press book Award and South Carolina’s Kinlock Rivers Contest, White Linen, Nightshade Press, 1998 and Alchemy, Main Street Rag Publishing, 2004. She has been an instructor at Queens for over 10 years.  

1:00 PM TO 3:30 PM - 5 Tuesdays
February 12 through March 11
Location: Withers House
Fee: $99

The Craft of Poetry

A workshop that focuses on both craft and process for writers who seek to improve their poetry. Guided reading, handouts, and suggested assignments will be provided. Participants will critique their own work including effective titles, successful metaphors, how to how to break a line, and how to end the poem.

Instructor: Terri Wolfe received her Masters in Fine Arts for Creative Writing from Queens. Her award-winning poetry has appeared in a number of publications.

1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM - 6 Tuesdays
March 25 through April 29
Location: Withers House
Fee: $99

NEW! Introduction to Creative Writing   FULL

A six-week course which explores creative writing in all its many facets. Writers will be encouraged to abandon the structures which have suppressed their creativity and to begin ia journey of self-discovery and creative renewal through brief in-class exercises, imaginative assignments and journaling. We will examine why we write and why we don't and ways to stop procrastinating. Begin to make writing an integral life choice!. A great class for all levels.

Instructor: Terri Wolfe (see above bio)

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 6 Tuesdays
February 5 through March 11
Location: Withers House
Fee: $129

Rewriting Family Stories

An in-depth, highly individualized critique class for writing memoirs or family stories. Each month, students bring their writing to class for supportive feedback on how to craft great stories. You’ll be delighted how revision inspires more writing.

Instructor: Gilda Morina Syverson has taught in the creative arts for over 35 years. Her award-winning Italian family stories and poems have appeared in numerous literary journals, magazines and anthologies in the U.S. and Canada. Her commentaries have been aired on Charlotte’s NPR station. She was awarded the 2006 Deane Ritch Lomax Poetry Prize and is author of a collection of poems, In this Dream Everything Remains Inside.

February 14, March 13, April 10, May 8 - Four non-consecutive Thursdays
Location: Withers House
Fee: $125

Southern Literature and Film - In partnership with the Levine Museum of the New South!

Revisit the Old South in award-winning books and film. This is an interactive class where you will be discussing topics such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Color Purple by Alice Walker and All the Kings Men by Robert Penn Warren.

Instructor: Leigh Westerfield, Queens faculty member and author.

6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM - Wednesdays
July 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Withers House
Fee: $100

So You Want to Write a Mystery….

Mystery fiction continues to be the most popular fiction genre. The course will discuss the various subgenres of the mystery (including thrillers, cozies and romantic suspense) and the development of character, plot and suspense. You will also develop your own writing plan for creating a piece of mystery fiction. Do you outline or not? Where do you get your ideas? How do I find the time to write? How do I know if my story is any good? This course will not include a workshop or critique session, though the class will explore how to work in a critique group.

Instructor: Cathy Pickens’ first mystery won the coveted St. Martin’s Press Malice Domestic Award for Best Traditional Mystery. In her other life, she is a lawyer, a founding member of the Mecklenburg Forensic Medicine Program and holds the endowed Wireman chair in the McColl School of Business at Queens.

6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM - 3 Thursdays
March 20 through April 3
Location: Withers House
Fee: $75

Spinning Words into Gold - COURSE IS FULL

This class will jumpstart your writing life and provide the tools to keep your words flowing. Learn specific techniques and exercises to create nonfiction, poetry and/or fiction as we tap into the Who’s, Why's, When’s, Where’s, What’s and How’s of writing. Whether you would like to keep a journal for your own personal growth, spin stories for your loved ones, or further a career as a professional writer, experience the satisfaction of developing a writing practice that works for you-come spin your words into gold!

Instructor: Maureen Ryan Griffin, author.

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Six Mondays COURSE IS FULL
March 10 through April 21 (No class on March 24)
Location: Withers House
Fee: $149 

 Writing A Novel

This course will explore the various fiction genres and the development of character and plot. Students will develop their own writing plan for creating book-length fiction. Do I outline or not? Where do I find ideas? How do I find time to write? How do I know if this story is any good? This course will not include a workshop or individual critiques, though the class will explore how to work in a critique group.

Instructor: Cathy Pickens’ first mystery won the coveted St. Martin’s Press Malice Domestic Award for Best Traditional Mystery. In her other life, she is a lawyer, a founding member of the Mecklenburg Forensic Medicine Program and holds the endowed Wireman chair in the McColl School of Business and Queens.

6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM - 3 Thursdays
February 7 through February 21
Location: Levine Jewish Community Center
Fee: $75