This weeklong workshop is intended for anyone whose writing project involves bringing the past to life, whether it’s your own life, the life of family members, or the life and times of fully fictional characters. Some topics we’ll consider: What’s the best way to conduct your research, then incorporate that research into your narrative? How do you animate the past? If you’re writing memoir and the significant events have already happened, how do you make them feel fresh for the reader? What are some writerly tricks when writing historical prose, and what are some common pitfalls to avoid? Workshop members are expected to arrive with a 5- to 10-page sample of their writing project, which the group will consider. We’ll also generate new work using directed writing prompts. Instructor Eric Goodman’s eight book, Mother of Bourbon, a historical novel, will be published in April 2025. His sixth book, Cuppy and Stew (2020), combined historical fiction and faux memoir, so he’s spent considerable time in the past five years wrestling the past onto the page. In this first-time workshop, he’ll pass on what’s he learned. In this workshop, we will generate new writing through guided exercises and prompts; offer feedback/first impressions on writing you produce in our week; workshop writing you bring from home.

This advanced prose workshop is intended for students who’ve completed a draft, or a substantial portion of a draft, of a novel or a longform work of nonfiction, be it memoir or narrative. It’s designed to answer the question: I’ve come this far, now what? To begin, we will consider up to 7 double-spaced pages of material that students bring from home. These pages could be the opening scenes of your book, but that’s not a requirement. Students will also generate a new “missing” scene, so be prepared to write. During our weekend together, class members will be guided through the process of transforming an early draft into a polished one, or a polished draft into a final one. I’ve completed this process quite a few times and guided many students through it as well. What will make the manuscript better? Does the book start where it should? How do you know when you’re done? In whose voice, or voices, should the narrative be told? What crucial scene have you omitted because it’s difficult, or even terrifying, to write? We’ll attempt to answer these questions and more. You’ll come away with one new scene. We’ll also touch on what to do with your manuscript once you’ve finished. In this workshop, we will generate new writing through guided exercises and prompts; workshop writing you bring from home.