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Communications
Articulating how we think and feel through the written and spoken word is an essential skill, enabling us to share our lives and selves with one another in a deeper way. Learning from our dedicated teachers in this category gives us a new appreciation for the craft of a wordsmith. They inspire us to reach beyond our sometimes lazy habits and be more cognizant of what we express, and how. If you’ve ever heard or read someone who has this gift, you know what we’re talking about. We can improve on these skills and apply them to important areas in our lives. Sign up for one of our communication classes today and grow in an ability that will serve you (and those you share with) for the rest of your days.
Art of Conversation
Children's Story Idea Into Published Book
Children's Book Writer's Workshop
Fiction Writing
Fundamentals of Editing
Getting Paid to Talk
How to Get Your Book Published
How to Write & Illustrate Your Children's Book
Nature Writing
Prewriting Your Own Obituary
Self-Publishing Survival 101
Writing Creative Nonfiction
Writing Your Memoirs I - A Life History for Posterity
Writing Your Memoirs II - A Life History for Posterity
The Art of Conversation
Gigi Duthie
Fee: $39, 2 classes
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
November 11 - November 18
The art of conversation is a wonderful art, but requires skill and effort, like any other creative pursuit. We can connect with one another in ways that stretch beyond the daily diary accounts or stream-of-consciousness relays that cause everyone to glaze over. There are guidelines that can provide simple methods for engaging in substantive conversations. You can play a more interactive role, learn how to avoid conversational black holes, and learn to dance with others in meaningful ways with the art of conversation. A fun homework assignment will be given after the first class that will help students gently begin interacting with others on a deeper level. Gigi Duthie, Director of Continuing Education at Fort Lewis College, has dedicated a life-long practice to this art. Tools will be offered to enable you to participate in discussions that don’t just fill time, but enhance it!
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Children's Story Idea into a Published Book
Lynn Kuntz
Fee: $39, 1 class
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
September 19
This class is for beginning or ‘becoming’ writers who have murmured “I could have written that”, after reading a delightful children’s book! Class will explore the elements that make good children’s stories timeless and telling; resources specific to writing books for children; mastering proper manuscript formats; agent and editor etiquette, making conferences work for you, and researching and tapping markets that buy manuscripts. For interactive follow-up, it is recommended that you sign up for Children’s Book Writer’s Workshop on September 26 with this class. Lynn Kuntz is an award-winning writer whose credits include 5 books for children, 5 films for children, a feature family film, and magazine and newspaper articles for a number of publications. Kuntz has received a number of awards, including: Dallas Press Club Award for Outstanding Achievement In Journalism; Colorado Authors League Top Hand Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year; Colorado Center of the Book Best Children’s Book of the Year; USA Film Festival Best of Texas award; Christian Film & Video Dramatic Film of the Year; Merit Best of the Year award; and a Southwest Writers Guild Short Story Award. Kuntz has previously taught Travel Writing, Freelance Magazine Writing, and Writing Books for Children through FLC Continuing Education.
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Children's Book Writer's Workshop
Lynn Kuntz
Fee: $39, 1 class
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
September 26
Bring a manuscript or two and enjoy a supportive group of fellow authors committed to improving their work before submitting to editors. Most best-selling authors agree that a critical but supportive audience can strengthen and perfect even the finest of writing efforts. Everyone in Workshop participates as a reader, writer, editor and audience. Manuscripts will vary as widely as the participants, but the results will be better writing and better stories. This class is for anyone with a manuscript aimed toward publication. This class can be taken as a single class or as part of a two-part series. For preparation for this class, it is recommended that you sign up for Turning Your Children’s Story Idea into a Published Book on September 19 before taking this class. Lynn Kuntz is an award-winning writer whose credits include 5 books for children, 5 films for children, a feature family film, Dakota, and magazine and newspaper articles for a number of publications. Kuntz has received a number of awards, including: Dallas Press Club Award for Outstanding Achievement In Journalism; Colorado Authors League Top Hand Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year; Colorado Center of the Book Best Children’s Book of the Year; USA Film Festival Best of Texas award; Christian Film & Video Dramatic Film of the Year; Merit Best of the Year award; and a Southwest Writers Guild Short Story Award. Kuntz has previously taught Travel Writing, Freelance Magazine Writing, and Writing Books for Children through FLC Continuing Education.
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Fiction Writing
Will Gray
Fee: $165, 8 classes
Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
October 22 – December 17
Imagination and creativity are the two most powerful forces behind compelling fiction. This course will focus on expanding student creativity using key elements of successful fiction: plot, characterization, tone, setting, dramatic detail, action, and dialogue. This interactive course will include in-class exercises, weekly writing assignments, and study of notable fiction writers. William R. Gray traveled the globe as a writer, editor, photographer and publisher for 33 years with National Geographic Society. He served as Director of the Society’s Book Division, and was on the faculty of the Stanford Professional Publishing Course of Stanford University. (There will be no class held on Thanksgiving, November 26.)
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Fundamentals of Editing
Will Gray
Fee: $145, 7 classes
Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 3 – December 15
Learn the fundamentals of professional editing in this course, improve your skills and technique as an editor, and become more efficient and expressive in your writing. Learn to analyze organization, logic, style, content, and grammar to improve the material while mastering the craft of the written word. William R. Gray traveled the globe as a writer, editor, photographer and publisher for 33 years with National Geographic Society. He served as Director of the Society’s Book Division, and was on the faculty of the Stanford Professional Publishing Course of Stanford University.
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Getting Paid to Talk
Voice Coaches: Creative Voice Development Group LLC
Fee: $45, 1 class
Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
October 1
This is a single evening class that takes a realistic and entertaining look at the positive and negative components of building success as a voice actor. Our instructor will discuss both the creative and business aspects of our field. In addition to having the opportunity to hear voice acting demos from working professionals, each student will have the opportunity to record a real script under the direction of our producer right in the classroom. Each student’s recording is then played back at the end of the session as a class finale. Throughout the class, students are encouraged to ask questions and our instructor is always willing to provide basic voice assessment to anyone attending. After the class (not during) interested students can learn about an on-line class through Voice Coaches that will take them to the next level in this profession. Voicecoaches: Creative Voice Development Group LLC is a member of the Better Business Bureau, The Voice and Speech Trainers Association and the American Society for Training and Development. In addition to providing education, our team currently produces voiceover recordings for Discovery, TLC, Woman’s Entertainment Network and HGTV.
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How to Get Your Book Published
Will Gray
Fee: $55, 1 class
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
October 24
This course will guide you through the process of taking your creative idea for a book, fiction or non-fiction, all the way to publication. Writing a convincing query letter, the fundamentals of a compelling book proposal, finding a literary agent, the elements of a publishing contract – all will be covered. You’ll also receive a select list of national and regional publishers. William R. Gray traveled the globe as a writer, editor, photographer and publisher for 33 years with National Geographic Society. He served as Director of the Society’s Book Division, and was on the faculty of the Stanford Professional Publishing Course of Stanford University.
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How to Write & Illustrate Your Children's Book
Gwynne Spencer
Fee: $79, 4 classes
Saturdays, 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
September 19 – October 10
Don't put it off for another day! Now is the time to learn the basics of how to write, illustrate and submit your children's book idea. Join in the fun of creating lively stories, poems, picture books and longer work for kids birth to 12. Learn about story formatting, manuscript submission, dealing with illustrations, handling copyright and many other details as you enter into the exciting world of children's literature. Aimed at first-time writers, with lots of support for beginning authors and illustrators, this class will give you the courage to write for children. Gwynne Spencer is hopelessly in love with children's books which she reads, reviews and writes about extensively. She enjoys helping others find the power in their own writing and developing their writing talents.
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Nature Writing
Will Gray
Fee: $125, 6 classes
Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
September 10 – October 15
Nature is an ever-changing pageant of texture and color, of dynamism and quietude, of sweeping grandeur and brilliant detail. It touches each of our senses and affects our intellectual and emotional beings. In this course you will learn to evoke the essence of the natural world around us through compelling, imaginative, and expressive nonfiction writing. This interactive course, focusing on the elements of creative nature writing, will involve in-class exercises, weekly writing assignments, and a final nature essay. We will also study the work of several writers including such contemporary authors as Barry Lopez, Terry Tempest Williams, and David Quammen. William R. Gray traveled the globe as a writer, editor, photographer and publisher for 33 years with National Geographic Society. He served as Director of the Society’s Book Division, and was on the faculty of the Stanford Professional Publishing Course of Stanford University.
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Prewriting Your Own Obituary
Ann Butler
Fee: $24, 1 class (choose one)
Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
September 19 or November 7
When we die, our families are confronted with all kinds of business, from arranging the funeral to paying bills and notifying the insurance company. At the same time, they need to write an obituary to notify friends of our death and remember us for posterity. And it turns out our families don't know all that much about the details of our lives. To make sure they get it right and remember the things that were important to us, pre-writing our obituaries is the most loving final gift we can give them. Ann Butler, the obituary writer for The Durango Herald for the past five years, has helped more than 3,000 families put together obituaries for their loved ones.
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Self-Publishing Survival 101
Gwynne Spencer
Fee $79, 4 classes
Saturdays, 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
October 17 – November 7
After the recent meltdown in New York publishing, more and more authors are looking into the pros and cons of self publishing. In this series, you'll learn whether it is realistic, economically viable, and within your capabilities to successfully produce and promote your title. We will look at options like Booksurge, iUniverse, Publish America, Author House, Trafford and other production resources including local printers and desktop production. Editing, book doctors, dealing with illustrations, copyright, ISBNS and other details are included in this comprehensive overview of the dangers and delights of being your own publisher. Gwynne Spencer has produced books, tapes, DVDs and learning materials for over 30 years. She intends to empower and enlighten prospective authors with viable options.
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Writing Creative Nonfiction
Will Gray
Fee: $165, 8 classes
Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
September 8 – October 27
This in-depth course focuses on the new genre of creative nonfiction, with emphasis on literary style, careful observation, personal experience, and thorough knowledge of the subject. We will experiment with several forms, including narrative and descriptive nonfiction, history, memoir, and personal essay. William R. Gray traveled the globe as a writer, editor, photographer and publisher for 33 years with National Geographic Society. He served as Director of the Society’s Book Division, and was on the faculty of the Stanford Professional Publishing Course of Stanford University.
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Writing Your Memoirs I: A Life History for Posterity
Ann Butler
Fee: $99, 4 classes
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
October 3 – October 24
People who have lived in the twentieth century have seen some of the most fascinating times in human history and had the opportunity to experience much of what life has to offer. But in this day of e-mails and text messaging, we are losing the essence of the lives we’ve lived, the lessons we’ve learned, and our distinctive individual journeys. Ann Butler, Neighbors columnist and obituary writer for The Durango Herald, has helped more than 3,000 families document the lives of their loved ones. Class members will learn how to break the project into manageable segments and the questions to ask (and answer) to make a person come alive on the page, creating a true picture that preserves a person's unique story. Whether you want to write your own life story or preserve information for your family or your town, she will help you get started in creating a memoir that is both readable and informational.
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Writing Your Memoirs II: A Life History for Posterity
Ann Butler
Fee: $99, 4 classes
Saturdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
October 3 – October 24
This class is designed for those who have completed Part I or have written portions of their memoirs already. Now that you've gotten a good start on writing or taping your memoirs, family history or other documents, we'll work on organizing, editing and fine tuning a more polished draft. Students will get feedback from fellow class members and receive individual attention on their projects from teacher Ann Butler. Ann Butler, Neighbors columnist and obituary writer for The Durango Herald, has helped more than 3,000 families document the lives of their loved ones. Class members will learn how to break the project into manageable segments and the questions to ask (and answer) to make a person come alive on the page, creating a true picture which preserves a person's unique story. Whether you want to write your own life story or preserve information for your family or your town, she will help you polish a memoir so it is both readable and informational.
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