San Diego & North County Creative Writing Classes

The Fundamentals of Dialogue

Does your dialogue feel clunky or stiff? Are you unsure of the “rules”? In this introductory class, we will go over the fundamentals of writing dialogue in fiction (and creative nonfiction). We will cover subtext, opposite scripts, distinct voices, common pitfalls, the “rules” and when to break them.

This class is a craft-focused, generative workshop, alternating between instruction in technique and in-class exercises designed to focus and sharpen the dialogue of your characters. We will learn via close reading and modeling of master inkslingers like Denis Johnson and Toni Cade Bambara. There will be an exercise borrowed from the stage, which will involve improvisational acting from two volunteers. The atmosphere will be fun and relaxed, while covering a lot of territory. You should leave this class both inspired and prepared to take your dialogue to the next level. $40 (Includes room rental and photocopied packets).

June 25th 7-9:30 PM 2416 Oxford Avenue, Cardiff CA 92007

Instructor: Tamara Guirado

Please register at http://www.meetup.com/San-Diego-Writers-Sideshow/

Conversation’s Greatest Hits 

Brilliant dialogue is not a tape recorder held up to real speech.  Dialogue is amplified and distilled like gin or poetry. Dialogue is a type of action—it is what characters do to each other and is the quickest path to conflict and story. In this two hour seminar we will model master inkslingers (like Mary Gaitskill & Adam Johnson) and learn how to shape original dialogue with subtext. We will cover power dynamics, dialect, opposite scripts, the "rip-cord" technique, common pitfalls, the “rules” and when to break them.

This an intensive,  craft-focused seminar and will alternate between instruction in technique and in class exercises designed to focus and sharpen the dialogue of your characters. We'll learn via close reading and modeling of outstanding dialogue, and we’ll discuss methods of developing a sharper ear. There will also be exercises borrowed from the stage, which will involve improvisational acting from volunteers. The atmosphere will be fun and relaxed, while covering a lot of territory. You should leave this class both inspired and prepared to take your dialogue to the next level.

Time: May 19th 10AM-2PM

Location: The Ink Spot 710 13th St., STE 210, San Diego, CA 92101

Members of San Diego Writers, Ink: $60 Non-members: $72

Please register at San Diego Writers, Ink.