Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Story Kitchen Cooks Again



This month I start teaching again! My class is called the Story Kitchen. It takes place at the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse and the first four-week session begins January 20th.

Even though I know how to write and I even have a degree in Creative Writing, when I began work on my novel, Camelot & Vine, I still had a lot to learn. A novel is a big project! But over time I've come up with some methods that can help other writers streamline the process.

Most people know how to write good sentences and paragraphs. But longer forms, like a screenplay or a book of fiction or nonfiction, are harder to piece together. At the Story Kitchen I'll help you organize it all—the scene ideas, themes and characters that have been running around in your head—into the whole story. Your story. I can't tell you what to write. But I can help you write the story you want to tell.

A kitchen is a cozy place where people gather to talk, enjoy the warmth of the stove, and have a cup of tea. The Story Kitchen is cozy, too, a safe place to work on your story with people whose goals align with yours. Class size is small, so everyone's work gets a lot of attention, every time.

Here's the deal:
4 students, 4 weeks, $199
January 20th & 27th, February 3rd & 10th
Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:45pm
Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse (yes, we get to have coffee and snacks in class)
Call now! Or stop by the store to register: (818) 790-0717
1010 Foothill Blvd., La Canada, CA 91011 (it's easy to get to, right of the 2 and 210 freeways)

At the Story Kitchen, I know you have the ingredients. All you need is the recipe.

photo by John Sandel 




14 comments:

LOLfromPasa said...

What a great opportunity! I know it will be beneficial for those who attend.

Lowell said...

I would love to attend this if I lived a bit closer! I can write, too, but I've never attempted a novel and I'm always amazed at how a good novelist can plot and build a story with various characters and events that all somehow fit together. Best wishes to you!

William Kendall said...

Have fun!

Petrea Burchard said...

We're going to have a good time. I really enjoy working on manuscripts with people.

Nathalie H.D. said...

My partner is currently working on a novel, he's a first timer. Loves it but I'm sure he could benefit from a course like yours. Unfortunately creative writing isn't taught in France :(

Petrea Burchard said...

I didn't realize that, Nathalie! Are there other types of writing courses that he can take?

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks!

irinapictures said...

I wish you a bunch of clever and talented pupils.
I am sure it will be great experience for teacher and for students.
Proud for you.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you so much, Irina. I have talented pupils signed up already, and room for perhaps one more. I look forward to it!

Ann Erdman said...

I've been aware of this and would have loved to have signed up but I'm preparing to start radiation treatments, which will mean fatigue, which will put me to bed early.

Bellis said...

It's great that you've got a lovely venue to meet in. Nothing more inspiring to a budding author than being in a bookshop with a published mentor.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

thats a good deal - and pot. I want your pot

Petrea Burchard said...

Ann, you'll be hale and hearty next time and I'd love to have you there.

So sweet, Bellis! The Flilntridge Bookstore is a lovely venue, and so supportive of local authors.

PA, you can't have my pot yet. I'll leave it to you in my will.

Dina said...

Just from the picture I can feel the zest in your Kitchen.
(Although as a Jewish Mother I have to worry that the paper and plastic on the burner might catch fire.)
Good luck, have fun!