Jennifer Lauck's Blog, page 3

Hope Edelman - Visiting Instructor
Hope has been a personal friend for twenty years. She was one of the first writers who agreed to blurb my first book and this was a huge moment as I respected the Hope's work so much. Since that time, I've been lucky to teach for her and with her.  Now it's my great joy to offer her a space in The Studio.  
Hope joins us for a three day workshop The Story Beneath the Story in June.  In this workshop, writers will learn how to differentiate the action from meaning within their story and how to bring that meaning to the reader.  
To study with Hope is an incredible experience.  She's a wonderful, kind, compassionate teacher who is also so knowledgable about form.  
The Story Beneath the Story, Friday to Sunday, June 10-12 7 spots left
Hope has published seven nonfiction books, including the bestsellers Motherless Daughters, Motherless Mothers, and The Possibility of Everything. Her articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Real Simple, Glamour, Self, Parade, CNN.com, Writer's Digest, and the Huffington Post, as well as in numerous anthologies.  In 2012, she was inducted into the Medill Hall of Achievement at Northwestern University, her undergraduate alma mater, and in 2014 she was named an Alumni Fellow at the University of Iowa, where she attended graduate school. Hope has taught at Antioch University-LA, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Ohio State University, Northwestern University, and the University of Iowa, and leads workshops every July at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. 

I'm delighted to host Hope Edelman at The Blackbird Studio for Writers.

June 10-12!

Hope will teach one of her favorite workshops, a three day intensive titled The Story Beneath the Story.  Hope is a kind, smart, inspiriting teacher with a devoted following at The Iowa Writer's Workshop and in L.A, where she lives and raises her two daughters. She has written seven books in her lovely career, and is published in The New York Times, and major magazines.

You cannot miss an opportunity to study with Hope.  We are taking only 12 writers for this terrific and life changing teaching.  Sign up quick!

Click here for description, costs, and teaching details or write me, at [email protected] for more information.

"This is such a safe environment to grow and learn, thank you," ~ Cheryl

This page is for students in Tuesday Spring Craft Studio. We begin March 15th at 1a:30 a.m. If you are signed up, check out the schedule Virtual Option.

Class Detail:  You will read aloud several times to get a deep connection to the storyteller's voice within, we will read a selection of literary essays/short stories as well in order to discuss craft and style, and most of all, we will focus on how to write scenes!  

Required Text:  
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Story by Robert McKee 

Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller. 


Class 1: Mar. 15

Pre-reading:  Feedback (emailed)
Intros, hellos, process of class, discussion of text.
Required Text:  Story, I'll Give You the Sun, Tell it Slant

Workshop Readers: Steven, Myrna, Jean, Joe
This is a 1250 words total. Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 13 copies please.  
 
Class 2: Mar. 22
Pre-reading:  I'll Give You the Sun

Workshop Readers:  Janice, Susan, Ellie, Cathryn
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins. Bring 13 copies please.

Class 3: Mar. 29
Pre-reading:  TBA

Workshop Readers: John, Erica, Linda, Joseph
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins. Bring 13 copies please.

Class 4: Apr. 5
Pre-reading: 

Workshop Readers: Steven, Myrna, Jean, Joe
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 13 copies please. 


Class 5: Apr. 12
Pre-reading: TBA

Workshop Readers: Janice, Susan, Ellie, Cathryn
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins. Bring 13 copies please.

Class 6:  Apr. 19
Pre-reading: TBA

Workshop Readers:  John, Erica, Linda, Joseph
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins. Bring 13 copies please.

Class 7: Apr. 26
Pre-reading: TBA

Workshop Readers: Steven, Myrna, Jean, Joe
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins.  Bring 13 copies please. 


Class 8: May 3
Pre-reading: TBA

Workshop Readers: Janice, Susan, Ellie, Cathryn
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins. Bring 13 copies please. 

Class 9: May 10
Pre-reading: TBA

Workshop Readers: John, Erica, Linda, Joseph
This is a 1250 word submission.  Double spaced, 12 point font, New Times Roman with one inch margins. Bring 13 copies please.

Class 10: May 17
Pre-reading: TBA

WRAP



Reference texts and videos:  
Cultivations of Kindness Meditation (for self acceptance): Click here
Keep it Short by Danny Heitman (Click on link)
Debra Gwartney on Memoir  (click on link) 
Philip Lopate on Writing Personal Essays  (click on link)
Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Story by Robert McKee

Book Suggestions:

Live Through This by Debra Qwartney
Crazy for the Storm by Norm Olestead
Figment of my Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
Rules of Inheritance by Claire Bidwell Smith 
SUGGESTED PROGRAM:  Scrivener (free download for 30 days). 

The Blackbird Studio for Writers
Located in the Hollywood District, The Studio is a place for study and community.  All genres are welcome:  novel, memoir, poetry, and short collections. My specialty is immersion, meaning long term studies via classes, and consults.

If you are willing to learn, and work hard, I invest in you, and your process for the long term.  My goal is to get you to a finished book and even to a publisher!




The Studio offers inspiring, insightful and practical classes.  When you study with me, you get the tools you need to be successful.  I don't just teach here, I build community and connection in an environment that is warm, comfortable, and elegant too.

Look for my schedule on the side margin of this page.  If you are serious about your writing, I am serious about helping you achieve your goals.

Write to Jennifer at [email protected] and let's talk.

Welcome to the Blackbird Studio for Writers
Located in the Hollywood District, The Studio is a new way to write your novel, memoir, poems, and story collections.  We offer smart, compassionate, comfortable and affordable classes for all levels, from the beginner to the advanced learner.  Our specialty is immersion in you, your idea, and your goals.

We know how hard it is to write, and how easy it can be to get detoured.  If you are willing to learn, and work hard, we invest in you, and your process for the long term.

The Studio offers inspiring, insightful and practical classes on fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry.  We also provide on going support and advice on publishing and editing.


We don't just teach here, we build community and connection, and this is all provided to you in a warm, comfortable, and elegant environment. At The Studio, we teach everything from concept to structure to scene development.  We provide weekend, ten week and year long classes, all designed to help you go the distance.

When you join The Studio, you join a writing family!



Look for our schedule on the side margin of this page, and then scroll through the curriculum pages below to get a sense of what we offer and how we structure our classes. If you are serious about your writing, we are serious about helping you achieve your goals.  Write to Jennifer at [email protected] and let's talk.

I am very happy to announce that I have opened my own writing studio in NE Portland: The Blackbird Studio for Writers.

The Blackbird Studio offers classes for all levels of writer, beginner to advanced, and here we specialize in depth studies for those interested in evolving their knowledge of both the fiction and creative non-fiction form.

This spring I am happy to announce a poetry workshop with Jennifer Foreman, who recently had her first poem published in The Sun and who has been published in several literary journals.  Jennifer is bold and honest, deep and courageous.  Her weekend workshop in April (details pending), promises to be a terrific experience.

I will also be interviewing and hosting other talented Portland writers in the fall of 2016.

Meanwhile, The Studio will offer my standard fare of writing workshops to include The AM Craft Studio, and The Bones of Storytelling, both of which are filling up.  The Blackbird Studio will also host the first Urban Summer Retreat, a spin on The Beach Retreat, with four days of in-depth study as well as the integration of yoga, mindfulness mediation and a spa visit.

You are such an amazing teacher. I am experienced and published, but when I came home I immediately started revising my novel. First chapter? Gone. Plot points? There. Heroine taking charge? You bet. You worked your ass off...we writers sure appreciate it. ~ Sue Lick

This teaching is the result of my own frustration with writing programs that do not teach structure to novelists and memoirists.  Why?" I've often wondered?  Are all stories really just brought into existence like Christ?  Does it take divinity to write a great book?  My answer, to myself, was NO!  There is an underlying structure to this work of writing.  This class is my discovery of this structure.  I've compiled a teaching, for myself, and those who work with me, that is clear, practical, smart and helpful!  You will learn, in order:  Concept, theme, plot, structure, character, antagonistic forces, and setting.  You will also walk away with a plan for writing a solid first & second draft.

The next class in this series will be a three day retreat in May. Details, click here.

 Everyone who takes this class loves it.  I hope you will too!  Sign up early.  Spots go fast.


Reference texts for craft and additional recurses:
Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller (Creative Non-Fiction)
The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick (Creative Non-Fiction)
From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler
Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Story by Robert McKee
Reading like a Writer by Francine Prose
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri Keep it Short by Danny Heitman (Click on link)
Debra Gwartney on Memoir  (click on link) 
Philip Lopate on Writing Personal Essays  (click on link)
Cultivations of Kindness Meditation (for self acceptance): Click here 
Scrivener (free download for 30 days)
 

You are such an amazing teacher. I am experienced and published, but when I came home I immediately started revising my novel. I thought it was finished, but suddenly I knew exactly what to do. First chapter? Gone. Plot points? There. Heroine taking charge? You bet. You worked your ass off...we writers sure appreciate it. ~ Sue Lick


With this fine, and powerful class, my goal is to teach you all the bones of story from concept, theme, plot, structure, character and setting.  I also promise to help you walk away with a plan for writing a solid first & second draft.  Everyone who takes this class loves it. 
  




Oct. 29: Class 7 - Erica, Jo, Emily Rose
DEADLINE:  Oct. 25

Nov. 5: Class 8 - Allan, Theresa, Brandi, John
DEADLINE: Nov. 1

Nov. 12: Class 9 - Corrine, Donna, Ellee
DEADLINE:  Nov. 8

Nov. 19
Strategies:  Draft One vs. Draft Two and What's Next

Handouts:  
A Novel of Your Own I & II
Circle of the Novel



Reference texts for craft and additional recurses:
Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller (Creative Non-Fiction)
The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick (Creative Non-Fiction)
From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler
Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Story by Robert McKee
Reading like a Writer by Francine Prose
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri Keep it Short by Danny Heitman (Click on link)
Debra Gwartney on Memoir  (click on link) 
Philip Lopate on Writing Personal Essays  (click on link)
Cultivations of Kindness Meditation (for self acceptance): Click here 
Scrivener (free download for 30 days)
 

2015/16 Reading List 

Last year I started posting my reading lists.  You can find 2014 by clicking here.  This is the list this year.  I post as I go.  What are you reading?  Leave a comment, share your thoughts on why you loved it, or why you felt the book left something to be desired. 





Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng The Color Purple by Alice WalkerAll the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (3rd time)The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson (audio)The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent The Rise and Fall of Great Powers by Tom RachmanThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Steig Larsson (audio)My Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteThe Girl in the Spiders Web by David Lagerkrantz

May 6, Class 1:  Concept & Theme 

Handouts:  Concept and Theme

Homework Post Class: 
Spend about 40 minutes writing as many What If Questions as you can on your project.  50-80 is about normal.  Samples sent via email.  Balance out your theme as shown on pg. 125Print out Plot handout (link below), print, read, bring.  This is the first seven chapters of Booker. May 13, Class 2:  Plot

Handouts:  Seven Basic Plots
Homework: 
Spend about 40 minutes revising What If Question.  Send your balanced theme to [email protected] out W and Structure Handouts.Watch Thelma and Louise May 20, Class 3:  Structure & W  
Handouts: W & Structure (email)
Homework: 
Read your handouts sent via email.Watch a film - Stranger than Fiction and chart scenes on WOrganize your own what if questions on WWatch this video on characterization
May 27, Class 4:  Setting and Character 
Handouts:  Booker on Character
                    Brooks on Character
                    McKee on Character

Booker on Character  Pg. 241 - 275 & Chap. 18
Brooks on Character  Pg. 61-85 & 106-115
McKee on Character  Pg. 144 - 159

Homework: 
Make a copy of character sheet for each primary character and asking what the conscious and unconscious goals are for each. Interview your protagonist with the questions from Larry Brooks, pg. 112 Watch Cider House Rules and doc. each scene on W, find incite incident, pp1, mid-point, lull and pp2Print out and read your handouts
June 3, Class 5:  Setting/The Antagonist/What's Next

Handouts (links sent via email):   McKee Chap. 14 on Antagonist
                                                         Setting Sketch Sheet
                                                         McKee on Setting and Structure

FALL PROGRAM OUTLINE 

Sept. 17, Class 1:  Concept & Theme 

Handouts:  
Concept and Theme
Butler Dreamstorming

NOTE:  You must wait for handouts to download from Dropbox, then click OPEN on far right corner for PDF., or printing will not work.  

Homework Post Class: 
Spend about 40 minutes writing as many What If Questions as you can on your project.  50-80 is about normal.  Samples sent via email.  Balance out your theme as shown on pg. 125Print out Plot handout (link below), print, read, bring.  This is the first seven chapters of Booker.Sept. 24, Class 2:  Plot

Handouts: Seven Basic Plots
NOTE:  You must wait for handouts to download from Dropbox, then click OPEN on far right corner for PDF., or printing will not work. 

Homework:  
Spend about 40 minutes revising What If Question. Send your balanced theme to [email protected] out W and Structure Handouts.Watch Thelma and Louise

Oct. 1, Class 3:  Structure & W  
Handouts:
W & Structure (email)

Homework: 
Read your handouts sent via email.Watch a film - Stranger than Fiction and chart scenes on WOrganize your own what if questions on W