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The intensive is structured to mirror the writing process and moves from generating and developing ideas to the early stages of drafting.

 

Please note: Topics may shift from one day to the next in response to pacing and the needs of the group.

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Day 1: Getting Started

 

-Welcome and Introductions

-A conversation on what story is and why it matters

-Exploring differences between the genres

-Guided exercises to generate new work

 

Participants will leave with new story ideas and fresh approaches to generating them.

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Day 2: Seeing the Whole & Building Momentum

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-Developing a bird’s-eye view of story

-Understanding conflict

-Exploring the relationship between plot and character

-Scene construction: shaping individual moments

-Guided exercises to expand and build narrative 

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Participants will see how ideas take shape and grow into structured narratives.

 

Day 3: Subtext & Dialogue

 

-Understanding subtext and how it shapes a story

-Tracing subtext through selected readings 

-Exercises focused on generating detail and depth

-Approaching dialogue with confidence

 

Participants will begin to see how meaning can emerge indirectly. 

 

Day 4: Bringing it Together

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-Working with plot and subtext in tandem

-A full plotting demonstration from beginning to end

-Dedicated time to begin plotting your own story

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Participants will move from demonstration to practice and begin to shape their own stories. For this portion of the day, they may remain in the classroom or work elsewhere on the island.

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Day 5: Sharing Work & Beginning the Draft

 

-Participants present their plots with group feedback and discussion

-Dedicated writing time to begin drafting

 

Participants will move from planning into writing. They will again have the option of working elsewhere on the island. 

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Day 6: Refinement, Revision & Next Steps

 

-Participants share excerpts from work begun the previous day

-Approaches to revision and improving your work

-How to shape sentences for clarity and flow

-Writing habits, sustaining a practice, and managing creative challenges

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On the last day, participants will develop their work further and consider next steps.

 

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