Dialogue, Dialect, and Narrative Voice | Writing the Other

We are no longer publishing events through Eventbrite. To get notifications of new classes, pleasefollow us on Humanitixorjoin our announcement newsletterwhich also comes with discounts!BioWriters know that it’s important to write about characters whose gender, sexual orientation, religion, racial heritage, or other aspect of identity differs from their own. But many are afraid to do so for fear that they will get it wrong–horribly, offensively wrong–and think it is better not even to try.In truth, it is possible to write the Other sensitively and convincingly, and the classes offered by Writing the Other can start you on the path to doing just that.Drawing on and updating work by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward, authors of the acclaimed reference Writing the Other: A Practical Approach, the courses, seminars, and retreats we offer combine lectures, discussions, and writing exercises in a safe, supportive atmosphere.

Writing the Other

An essential part of creating a character is understanding how that individual speaks or communicates.

An essential part of creating a character is understanding how that individual speaks or communicates. For writers who are working to create inclusive fiction with diverse characters from races, cultures, and backgrounds different from their own, crafting appropriate dialogue is more than just idealizing and compressing speech to make it seem natural. It may also mean figuring out how to get across the nuances of language, accent, or dialect without Othering or exoticizing characters or the real cultures and identity groups they represent.In this craft-focused class we’ll help you sharpen your dialogue skills and show you how to apply those same skills to the narrative voice through lectures, hands-on exercises, selected readings, and feedback. We’ll analyze ways familiar and unfamiliar cultural assumptions are embedded in texts and talk about alternative techniques for conveying difference via voice–yours and your characters’. At the end of class you’ll have a wealth of resources for further study and practice.<ul><li>When: April 9 – 23, 2022</li><li>Where: Online via Zoom or Asynchronous classroom</li><li>Price: $200 – $300</li><li>Scholarships Available</li></ul>For full class details, including required texts, accessibility info, and available scholarships, please visit <a href="https://writingtheother.com/dialogue-dialect-2022/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">WritingTheOther.com</a>. ______________________________________________________________________________________________<h2>Course Format, Schedule, and Time Commitment</h2>Please read carefully as there are two options available for this class and they are different from previous versions of the diverse character deep dive.Option 1: Weekend Intensive Plus ($300) -- On Saturday and Sunday April 9 &amp; 10 students will gather virtually on Zoom for lectures, Q&amp;A, discussion, and writing exercises with live feedback. Weekend sessions run from 10am to 7pm Pacific (with breaks!) on both days. From Monday April 11 through Saturday April 23 students will then log in to a private WordPress classroom for further discussions based on readings and more writing exercises. This section of the class is asynchronous, meaning you can log in at any time and participate on your schedule.The Weekend Intensive Plus is limited to 25 students.Option 2: Asynchronous ($200) -- Writers who cannot join us for the live Weekend Intensive can chose this option. Starting April 9 you&#x27;ll have access to the private WordPress classroom where we will post lectures in text form and the recordings from the Weekend Intensive. The rest of the course is devoted to readings, discussions, and writing exercises. For this option you can log in at any time and participate on your schedule.The time commitment for the Asynchronous portion of the class will depend on your level of participation. Discussion threads tend to be wide-ranging, so students should try to check in at least once a day or every other day. You may manage your time as needed based on your own schedule. On the second and third weekends of the class there will be a set of live Q&amp;A sessions with the instructors on Zoom open to all students. (Times will be determined by student availability.)All class work is done on Google Drive, so please ensure you have a Google account before class. <h2>Refund Policy</h2>If you find that you need to drop the class, you may do so by requesting a refund via Eventbrite.If you drop by March 20, you will receive a full refund minus a service fee.If you drop on March 21 or after you will not have your registration fee refunded. However, you can use the funds as credit towards a future class.

Registrations are closed

Dialogue, Dialect, and Narrative Voice | Writing the Other

More events from Writing the Other

Follow organizers to get events picked for you

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.

Registrations are closed

Dialogue, Dialect, and Narrative Voice | Writing the Other

More events from Writing the Other

Follow organizers to get events picked for you

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.