How Fiction Writers Can Use Poetry Techniques to Amp Up Their Prose
“Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.” – Paul Engle
It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a 300 word picture book, a 30,000 word middle grade, or 60,000+ young adult: every word counts. Certainly, the characters and conflict must be well defined and engaging, but your language also holds incredible power. Your choice of words – the syntax and diction, the rhythm and imagery - can draw a reader in and move them, like a song.
In this class, you will go beyond the more obvious poetic techniques of rhyme, metaphor, and simile, and learn more about the beauty of the many rhythmic tropes and schemes that will amp up your prose and make your stories come to life. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never thought of yourself as a poet before! In this class, poetic techniques that might have seemed mysterious and impenetrable in the past will be made fun and accessible. You will explore the musicality of language and – simply put, play with words! - along the way finding that you can express depth of emotion and find incredible power in your writing via the various poetic techniques. This will be an interactive workshop with writing exercises that will help you individualize your writing and find your voice.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
E. Katherine Kottaras is originally from Chicago, and now she writes and teaches in the Los Angeles area. She holds an M.A. in English from the University of California, Irvine and teaches writing and literature at Pasadena City College. She is interested in the stories we tell, the stories we are given, and the ways we can redefine our worlds by discovering which stories are true.
She is the author of the YA contemporary novel, HOW TO BE BRAVE (2015) and the forthcoming THE BEST POSSIBLE ANSWER (2016), both from St. Martin’s Press/Griffin Teen.
Date: August 6, 2016, Saturday
Time: 1- 4 PM
Venue: El Segundo Library
Fee: $55
*$10 Discount for CBW-LA Members
*Non-members pay the full amount
*Fee includes workshop materials, handouts, worksheet and a copy of the authors’ book HOW TO BE BRAVE
ABOUT "HOW TO BE BRAVE"
Chosen as one of the best YA Novels of November by Bustle.com
A Buzzfeed YA Book To Watch
Featured on School Library Journal's Size Acceptance YA List
Georgia has always lived life on the sidelines: uncomfortable with her weight, awkward, never been kissed, terrified of failing.
Then her mom dies and her world is turned upside down. But instead of getting lost in her pain, she decides to enjoy life while she still can by truly living for the first time. She makes a list of ways to be brave-all the things she's always wanted to do but has been too afraid to try: learn to draw, try out for cheerleading, cut class, ask him out, kiss him, see what happens from there.
But she's about to discover that life doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes friendships fall apart and love breaks your heart. But in the process, you realize you're stronger than you ever imagined...
This fearless, big-hearted, deeply moving book will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you to be brave.
