The last couple of years have been strange, difficult, unpredictable, too predictable, isolating, stressful, and sometimes just plain boring. Your muse has been stuck in the house along with you. At this point, you may not on speaking terms. Your muse might be calling in sick. Or vacationing somewhere else, perhaps a beach in the tropics, while you are still at home hoping it will return. This course is designed to be a vacation you and your muse will take together. Let’s call it a week at summer camp. There will be fun! Challenges! Canoeing and swimming, (metaphorically)! And the chance to hang out with other writers and their muses. It will be a week to re-experience the pure joy of creativity, (if you prefer a less anthropomorphic way to look at it). Each day will consist of a fun, low-pressure mix of creative prompts, mini-lectures, and exercises, all aimed at stimulating your most creative self. We will study the habits of great authors. We will explore the rare occurrence of feeling “in the zone,” when words magically seem to flow, then we’ll experiment with ways to get you in the zone more often. Topics will include writer’s block, starting new work, and how to continue even when your muse is on hiatus. Read more...