Writer's Voice

The West Side YMCA Writer’s Voice is one of New York’s longest-running and most respected writing programs. Founded here in the early 80’s, the Writer’s Voice features multi-week workshops in writing for performance, playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, memoir, poetry, journalism, dialogue, and multiple-genre classes for students of all levels.

Workshops are open to the public, we also offer one-day intensives on varied topics, everything from dealing with “writer’s block” to “Meditations for Writers,” as well as one-day workshops on the business side of the literary world.

Twenty-five to thirty times a year, as part of our Visiting Authors series we feature published authors reading from their work, and engaging in discussion with the audience.

To register for these and many more classes click here!

POETRY
Your Best Self: 18 & Up
Estha Weiner Tuesday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V, VI Writing sample or permission of instructor required.
The toughest thing to do is write the poem you intended. The teacher will, without an “agenda,” help you write your best poem. Attention to the student’s style, stretching him/her to shape, see, and re-shape, in a responsible environment. A few pertinent exercises and reading work of other poets!

 
Walking with the Sonnet: 18 & Up
Lee Slonimsky Wednesday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V, VI
A concise introduction to one of the most illustrious and lasting of poetic forms, the sonnet. This workshop is open to other forms. Learn exercises and assignments to get started “sonneteering,” and give supportive feedback on the results.

NEW! Fear of Poetry: 18 & Up
Patricia Grodd Tuesday 2:00-4:00PM
Session V, VI
A poet said, “Poetry is just one person talking to another”. Quiet your inner critic as we consider poetry. Together we explore how poetry personally equips us imaginatively, emotionally and spiritually to face the joys and challenges of our lives. No experience necessary or expected.

SCREENWRITING/PLAYWRITING
Playwriting (Levels 1 & 2): 18 & Up
Charlie Schulman Monday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V
Unleash your inner scribe. This course will focus on the craft of playwriting with a special emphasis on scene construction, conflict, dialogue and character. In-class exercises will be tailored to the individual needs. We may read or see a play to discuss in class. (No additional cost.) Students are expected to bring in new work on an ongoing basis. All levels are welcome!

NEW! Introduction to Playwriting (Levels 1 & 2): 18 & Up
Charlie Schulman
Monday 6:45-8:45PM

Session VI
Students will be introduced to the basic elements of playwriting through a series of in-class exercises and short take-home assignments. We will also read and analyze scenes from modern classics. Students will be expected to complete a ten-minute play by the end of the four weeks. No prior experience needed. More advanced students are welcome.

Screenwriting (Levels 1 & 2):18 & Up
Charlie Schulman Tuesday 6:45-8:45 PM
Session V, VI
This course will emphasize the fundamentals of craft. Informal lecture and in-class writing exercises will address the classic three-act movie structure, character, dialogue and other basic elements of screenwriting. The goal of this session will be for intro students to develop a full-fledged movie idea through the writing of scenarios, treatments and the beginnings of a first draft. Advanced students with screenplays-in-progress are welcome.

FICTION
NEW! Life Lines: 18 & Up
Sonia Pilcer Monday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V, VI
We will explore how deadlines are really lifelines for writers. Participants will be assigned weekly exercises, increasing their output as they learn techniques of craft and discipline. Beginners as well as published writers are welcome. For anyone who needs lifelines to motivate them as well as a supportive group of like-minded individuals.

Exploring the Short Story: 18 & Up
Brian Kelly Wednesday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V, VI
Want to learn how the story works? And once you learn rules perhaps we’ll just have to learn how to break them. This course will highlight structure, mood, tone, composition, and the required fervor for the written word. Expect to discuss and read at least a story a week and be prepared to present your own stories as well.

Storyteller’s Voice: 18 & Up
Marcia Golub Wednesday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V Writing sample or permission of instructor required.
This workshop is for writers who have written stories and novel chapters, and now feel ready to take the next step-find out if what they were trying to say is what they’ve in fact said. In a supportive, collegial environment, fellow writers critique one another’s work and discuss craft. This workshop is for people who are serious about writing, reading, and analyzing stories.

I’d Rather Be Writing: 18 & Up
Marcia Golub Thursday 6:45-845PM
Session VI
Whether it’s your hobby or your job, writing is a labor of love you can’t live without. But there are times when cleaning the oven seems more appealing than sitting down at the keyboard. In this workshop, based on Marcia Golub’s book I’d Rather Be Writing, experienced as well as new writers learn to have fun again, doing what we love. Exercises and assignments, designed to stimulate the creative mind, are done in class and at home. Please read the first five chapters of I’d Rather Be Writing by Marcia Golub before the first class.

Generation Fiction: 18 & Up
Thaddeus Rutkowski Monday 6:45-8:45 PM
Session V
Explore sources of inspiration and shape raw material into more coherent stories or chapters. New writers or those taking their work to the next stage will find a support. Assignments will focus on elements of storytelling, such as character, beginnings and endings, setting and structure. The class is open to stories, novels, memoir and hybrid/experimental forms.

Finishing Touches: 18 & Up
Thaddeus Rutkowski Monday 6:45-8:45 PM
Session VI
Designed to follow “Generating Fiction,” but there is no prerequisite course. Become more comfortable with your craft; strengthen your voice and making your points more clearly. Brief assignments will focus on elements of storytelling, such as character, beginnings and endings, setting and structure. Students will be encouraged to compile a portfolio of completed work. Open to anyone writing fiction or creative nonfiction/memoir.

Introduction to Fiction Writing: 18 & Up
Beth Ann Bauman Thursdays 11:15-1:15 PM
Session V
Writers learn the basics of fiction writing. We read and discuss several short stories, examining the use of craft. Short assignments teach students how to write vividly, create a character, set up a conflict, etc. Student work is shared and discussed in a warm and supportive atmosphere.

NEW! Writing the Middle-Grade or Young-Adult Novel: 18 & Up
Beth Ann Bauman Wednesday 6:45-8:45 PM
Session V
Do you want to write for kids? Come to learn about this market and its readership- the ‘tween or teen. We look at published excerpts to see how authors handle a surprising range of subjects. Students bring in their works-in-progress for critique. A children’s editor from Random House will visit the class.

NEW! Story Hours: 18 & Up
Beth Ann Bauman Wednesday 6:45-8:45 PM
Session VI
In this four-week class, we focus on reading as a way to broaden our sense of what’s possible in storytelling. Each week we study a short story in depth, looking at how the piece is shaped and how it achieves its effects. Story discussions serve as springboards to discuss craft.

Inventing the Truth- Writing from Personal Experience- 18 & up
Elaine Edelman Thursday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V
This workshop is for serious writers who want to explore autobiographical sources in memoirs, personal essays, short fictions, and humor. With (optional) assignments and (assigned) readings of some of today’s literary stars, the class mainly focuses on student writing, helping each person discover her/his deepest, most viable subjects, natural writing talents, and inventing forms for both. We refine our pieces with constructive, supportive response from the group and written comments from Ms. Edelman.

In Brief: Writing Short Fictions, Essays, and Memoirs: 18 & Up
Elaine Edelman Thursday 6:45-8:45PM
Session VI
Writing several condensed but expressive pieces gives new and experienced students the chance to explore several forms to discover their individual, native talents. Learning to read as writers, we analyze works by contemporary stars such as Joan Didion, David Sedaris and Grace Paley, searching out inspiration. Optional exercises lead to in-class focus on student work in a warm, supportive, and frank atmosphere.

NON-FICTION/MEMOIR/ESSAY
Shaping the Stories in Our Lives: 18 & Up
Mindy Lewis Tuesday 1:15-3:15PM
Session V
Overcome your fear of the blank page and jump-start the creative process. We will hone in on our stories and explore elements of craft (e.g. description, setting, voice, point of view, dialogue). Each student will submit several short pieces and one longer piece which will be critiqued in an atmosphere of lively, supportive discussion.

NEW! The First Step: Memoir Writing for Beginners: 18 & Up
Mindy Lewis Tuesday 1:15-3:15PM
Session VI Writing sample or permission of instructor This 4-week workshop will get you past those discouraging inner voices. Writing prompts will get you going, and sharing what you’ve written will give you ideas of how to shape, expand, and continue it. Absorb, discover, and put your life stories on paper. Also open to those returning to writing and those who need a new burst of inspiration.
 

Advanced Memoir and Non-Fiction: 18 & Up
Mindy Lewis Wednesday 6:45-8:45PM
Session V
A workshop for those already writing memoir or personal essay, tailored to individual needs. We will address issues of voice, structure, characterization, pacing and thematic focus through stimulating, supportive, insightful discussion. Each student will submit two pieces for critique.

Concept to Proposal: Strategies for Publishing Nonfiction/Memoir: 18 & Up
Mindy Lewis Wednesday 6:45-8:45PM
Session VI Writing sample or permission of instructor required
Designed for those who wish to develop a concept or work-in-progress into a nonfiction article, essay, or book, this intensive workshop provides instruction in how to take your idea from concept to proposal. Learn to write a synopsis/overview, chapter/article summary, and successful agent queries and editorial pitches, and fine-tune proposals-in-progress.

Works in Progress: 18 & Up
Charles Salzberg Tuesday 6:30-8:30PM
Session V, VI Writing Sample or Permission of Instructor Required
Whether you’re working on a memoir, personal essay, magazine article, op-ed piece or nonfiction book, the ultimate aim is to prepare your work for publication. In this workshop we will discuss works in progress with special attention to using the fiction techniques of narration, description, dialogue and structure.

Life Stories: 18 & Up
Patty Dann Tuesday 9:30-11:30AM
Session V, VI
For people who have lived and worked and want to write about their childhood as well as their more recent past. Whether you are a published writer or last wrote in a childhood diary, you are welcome in this class. Finding the right word is the goal of this workshop. Suggested weekly assignments will be given to help trigger memories.

WRITER’S VOICE HAS CHANGED THEIR SESSION STRUCTURE TO BEST SERVE THEIR STUDENTS. PLEASE
NOTE THE NEW SCHEDULE BELOW AND CORRESPONDING REGISTRATION DATES. PLEASE NOTE THAT
REGISTRATION END DATES FALL BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN.
Writer’s Voice Registration & Program Information
Registration: June 15th Y Members/ June 22nd Open

Fall Session V (10 weeks): Monday September 7, 2009- Sunday, November 15, 2009
Registration: November 8th Y Members/ November 15th Open
Mini Session (VI) (4 weeks): Monday November 23, 2009- Sunday, December 20, 2009
10-week session 4-week session 1-week session
* $200 for YMCA members. * $80 for YMCA members. *Class price varies
* $400for non-members. * $160 for non-members.
* Please contact Writer’s Voice Coordinator for class submission guidelines:
212-875-4124 or BKelly@ymncanyc.org
*Check in for updated 1 Week Intensives throughout the Year!
*Starting in 2010 an Adult Literacy Program will be offered!