Creative Writing Soars with 10-Week Workshop

Authors Lenore Hart and David Poyer give writers wings at Eastern Shore’s Own.

By DONNA BOZZA
Special to the Wave

August 26, 2012

Creatively grounded? Why not get serious about starting — or finishing — that novel, short story, memoir, nonfiction article, nonfiction book, play, or screenplay?

Two much-published authors — Lenore Hart and David Poyer — are ready to coach both new and experienced writers in a weekly Creative Writing Workshop at the ESO Arts Center in Belle Haven. The class starts September 4, lasts 10 weeks, and is limited to eight writers on a first-come, first-served basis.

The popular workshop is in its 16th year. David Poyer’s 32 books have been reviewed in the New York Times and on USA Today’s bestseller lists. His work has been translated into Japanese, Dutch, and Italian, and rights have been sold for films and audiobooks. He teaches in the MA and MFA in Creative Writing programs at Wilkes University.

Novelist Lenore Hart will be the primary instructor this fall. Her books have been alternate selections of Book of the Month, Doubleday, and The Literary Guild, and have won the Barnes & Noble Discover Award. Her six critically acclaimed adult novels include Waterwoman, Ordinary Springs, Becky and, most recently, The Raven’s Bride. They have been translated into Norwegian, Swedish, and Portuguese, and two have been optioned for film.

Along with reading and critiquing of novels, short stories, poetry and creative nonfiction by participants, the Workshop instructors will provide guidance on self-editing, manuscript preparation, getting an agent, and the best publishing options for each particular work. Each student will also receive a personalized reading list of model works and craft books tailored to improve his or her writing.

ESO Writers’ Workshop meets from 7-9:45 p.m. every Tuesday starting September 4. Cost is $205. More information on this and other ESO fall classes or to register: call 757 442-3226, email [email protected], or visit www.esoartscenter.org.