Writing Overview
Expressive Writing
Prerequisite: None
Learn to think like a writer through a combination of craft and creativity exercises. Work on important technical aspects of writing, such as conflict, characterization, point of view, the revision process, and the art of observation. Benefit from a friendly workshop environment, where you will share prose and poetry daily. Experience the exhilaration of oration at public readings at the end of June Session and at Sun Celebration.
NOTE: Participants are asked to bring at least one sample of their writing to the first class. This should be a piece you are most proud of, or one you would like to improve.
Song Writing
Prerequisite: None
“There’s something on your mind you wanna be saying/That somebody someplace oughta be hearing,/ But it’s trapped on your tongue and sealed in your head/and it bothers you badly when you’re laying in bed.”
If these words from Bob Dylan strike a chord with you, the new Song Writing course may be just the thing. Learn the basic craft of song writing—lyrics, music, any genre—through creative and technical exercises in: poetic forms and devices; basic song forms, styles, and arrangements; co-writing; collaboration; revising; and recording/producing. Capture the music of your mind for the world’s ear at the end of June Session, by professionally recording one of your co-written songs.
At the culmination of this class, participants will have the opportunity to make a recording of a song created in class at the professional recording studios of Video Arts Studios, Fargo. This recording session will be scheduled for each student outside of June Session class time.
NOTE: Participants are asked to bring at least one lyric sample or recorded original music to the first class—either to share and/or to work on over the course of the session.