I’ve taught creative writing at all levels, undergraduate and graduate, from four-year liberal arts colleges, to large public universities. But one thing remains the same: sharing with students the dynamic process of creating with words.
Words on Fire Studio Workshops
Some previous and possible workshops
Story with Heart and Art
Six evening sessions 6-8 pm.
Limit 8 participants. Location Glastonbury and virtual offering.
Everyone loves a good story, a story that moves us to laughter or tears, one that transports us to another time and place, a story that shows us who we are. As writers, we dream of writing stories that move readers this way, stories written in our own unique voices that see the world in our own unique way.
Whether you are dusting off a fiction or nonfiction manuscript, re-envisioning a draft, or creating a first draft, this workshop will help sharpen your skills to write your story in your voice. In both fiction and nonfiction, we consider the story arc and the elements of fiction created by plot, character, setting, dialogue and point of view. Where is the dramatic tension of the beat? The scene? The story? Where is dramatic tension lacking? How do you create it? In each three hour session, participants will be given detailed critique of work submitted prior to class. Expect constructive criticism, encouragement AND community—meant to inspire participants to improve and move projects toward completion.
Participants will share manuscript pages for reading and written critique. Writers will also share feedback on each other’s work.
One Day Retreat: Write Your Story in Your Voice
Location to be announced, Glastonbury, CT.
10 am-3 pm.
Fun! Inspiring! This Sunday workshop will help you cultivate your unique voice and craft the story whispering to be told, whether yours or the fictional one you’ve wanted to tell.
Creating the Story Arc
6 weeks, online offering
This six-week course is for those who have a manuscript in development or design. This could be a novel, memoir or collection of short stories. We will look at how to develop and sustain story arc over the course of a book length manuscript. We will draw upon the work of John Truby’s Anatomy of Story as well as Robert McKee’s Story Form and Structure, among other helpful principles of creation!
Podcasting for Authors
This one-day workshop is for those who love podcasts and wish to create one of their own. The nuts and bolds of planning a podcast, both conceptually and practically. Participants will create a concrete and actionable plan by the end of the day to get up and running.
Individual coaching packages also available
If your group has a specific workshop that you’d like me offer, please let me know.
What some of my previous students have to say:
I worked closely with Susanne on my final thesis for my MFA in fiction writing at Columbia University. Susanne was a thoughtful, responsive editor. Her encouragement, insights, and deadlines were extremely helpful to my process. I highly recommend Susanne as a writing mentor.
– Marie DeNoia Aronsoh
I am a published author – thanks to Susanne Davis and her workshops! I highly recommend Susanne both for her talents and her dedication to supporting my talents. I began her workshops just to improve my writing skills – never realizing that I have what it takes to publish a book/e-book! Susanne nurtured my talents and grew me into an accomplished author. The fellow writers I met in her workshops continue to inspire me. If you are looking for an accomplished teacher, coach and writer, I highly recommend Susanne Davis!
– Shari Aaron, Climb The Green Ladder: Make Your Company and Career More Sustainable, Wiley, 2009
Truly, Susanne Davis is one of the best professors I’ve ever had. She is inspirational and she motivates her students to reach their potential. I want to do well in her class, because of her. She teaches and speaks with knowledge and passion for the art of writing.
– Anonymous student evaluation
Susanne Davis is so passionate about writing and truly believes in her students. She teaches in a way that makes students feel comfortable sharing sometimes personal work.
– Anonymous student evaluation