Live Generative Writing Workshops on Ekphrasis

Hooked on Ekphrasis: Creative Writing From Visual Art with Lorette C. Luzajic

START DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

END DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

DURATION: 4 weeks

LOCATION: Live Zoom Classes and Email

MEETING TIME: Wednesdays, 6 pm - 8 pm EST

FEEDBACK: Instructor Feedback on Two Drafts and Encouraging Workshop

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Ekphrastic writing is the practice of creative writing from visual art. People who love ekphrasis describe being hooked once they start, because it is a wonderful way to expand our imagination, grow our writing, and learn more about visual art. In this class, we will look at the 3000-year history of ekphrasis, and explore fun ways to create our own. We will read inspiring examples, find ideas through brainstorming and writing exercises, and talk about how and where to submit our ekphrastic poetry and stories.

Format:
4 weeks for 120 minutes in person via Zoom each week: Wednesdays, 6 pm - 8 pm EST. Dates: October 9, 16, 23, and 30. The class will include time for sharing in class and peer comments. The instructor will also offer feedback on two drafts of ekphrastic writing via email.

These workshops, with inspiring art prompts and educational descriptions by the brilliant artist and writer Lorette C. Luzajic, can be used like a secret remedy for letting the creative genie out of her bottle. ~ Meg Pokrass

I had never done an Ekphrastic workshop—in fact, had never heard of it before I met Lorette at a flash fiction conference. I joined a workshop out of curiosity and became an instant convert. The art chosen for the workshop was inspiring and the prompts Lorette gave us generated a lot of discussion and writing. There are so many things to love about these workshops from the joy of walking away with several great stories, or at least story ideas, to the excitement of learning about new artists. But the best part is the community—even as a newbie who had never been to one of these workshops before, I felt wholly welcomed by both Lorette and the other participants. ~ Finn Burnett

If you love learning about art and artists and if you love writing, Lorette's workshops are the perfect place to twine those loves together! Comfortable, educational and inspiring, these two enjoyable hours fly by. And like me, you may linger breathing in the riches of The Ekphrastic Review for your heart and soul. ~ Fran Turner

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week One: Introduction to the Fantastic Practice of Ekphrasis!

Defining Ekphrasis
Ekphrasis About Art vs Ekphrasis Inspired By Art
A Brief History of Ekphrastic Literature
A look at various books on ekphrasis
Reading historical and contemporary examples of ekphrasis
The Benefits of Ekphrasis: limitless inspiration while learning about art history
Brainstorming Exercises with Various Artworks
Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework

Week Two: Approaches to Ekphrasis

Understanding the main approaches: the freewrite and the investigative reporter.
Creative writing exercises using these main approaches.
Looking at other ways to approach ekphrastic writing.
Examples of ekphrasis showing different approaches: reading and discussion.
Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework.

Week Three: Art Appreciation For Writers: How Looking at Art Can Make You a Better Writer

You don’t have to be an art historian or know anything about art to practice ekphrasis.
Learning more about art through writing.
Follow your curiosity.
Expand your taste.
Challenging yourself with a variety of art results in unexpected poetry and stories.
Ways to explore visual art history.
Exercises and prompts with different artworks.
Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework.

Week Four: Submitting and Publishing Ekphrastic Writing

How to submit your ekphrastic poetry and stories.
Acknowledging artworks.
Copyright information and permissions.
Journals that publish ekphrastic works.
Resources for ekphrastic writing.
Assignment to complete and hand in draft from class work, with additional optional reading and writing homework.

Materials needed: Computer with Internet. Access to Zoom and email.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Lorette C. Luzajic is the founding editor of The Ekphrastic Review, the flagship journal of ekphrasis. She teaches ekphrasis, art appreciation, and creative writing widely through the journal and by Zoom to audiences around the world. She has hundreds of ekphrastic poems and short stories in journals and anthologies. She has been nominated a handful of times each for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, Best Small Fictions, and Best American Food Writing. She has placed twice in Best Small Fictions. She is the author of several ekphrastic collections of prose poetry and small fictions. Lorette is also an award-winning visual artist with collectors in forty countries so far.

COST: $150, which includes four live Zoom classes, instructor feedback, peer workshopping, and discussions.

BUY NOW: Hooked on Ekphrasis: Creative Writing From Visual Art with Lorette C. Luzajic (4 weeks, starting 10/9/2024) Limit: 20 students. Early registration is recommended.

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Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor.

Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com

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