So you’ve decided to be a full-fledged storyteller and learn the (hella twisted, often frightful) ropes of writing? The potential next best step is getting a mentor.
Aside from helping you develop your own style and extinguish your common errors, mentors come in handy, especially when it comes to hearing much needed constructive criticism (and not only—you know—the self-depreciating voice in your head.) Lucky for us, Jessica Zafra is offering to teach for free.
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After her lecture on “Reading for Sanity Maintenance” last month, the acclaimed fiction writer, editor, columnist, publisher and host is back to teach our dream curriculum. Zafra will be conducting this year’s Fr. Henry Lee Irwin, S.J. Memorial Creative Writing Workshop at the Emmanuel S. Torres Literary Arts Room, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
The workshop consists of four six-hour sessions (10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and will be held on Mar. 14, May 2, Apr. 25 and May 9. According to Ateneo’s Flourish, lessons will be focused on writing short fiction in English across various genres (science fiction, fantasy, erotica, social realism and more), with topics covering characterization, plotting and structure. How about real life stuff? Don’t fret—it’ll also tackle overcoming blocks and making and meeting deadlines. How’s that for a package?
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The selection process is kind of tough though, so better cover all the bases. This free workshop will pick only eight participants—the lucky ones who’ll get to absorb Zafra’s power. If you’re up for that, submit a 250-word description of your work in progress and a 1,000-word sample work to [email protected]. The description and sample work should be attached as Word files. You also have to fill up the registration form here.
Selected participants will have completed one publishable fiction work by the end of the workshop. Those who’ll make the cut will be notified on Mar. 9. If you’ve conquered writer’s block many times, we know you can conquer this, too. Best of luck, budding writer!
For inquiries, contant [email protected].
Art by Rysa Antonio
