Featured Online Creativity and Writing Class

ART MAKING FOR AUTHORS with Melanie Faith

START DATE: Friday, August 2, 2024

DURATION: 4 weeks

LOCATION: Private group and email student provides when registering for the class

FEEDBACK: Weekly instructor feedback of exercises

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Many authors also enthusiastically practice a variety of visual, performance, and/or auditory arts that enhance their writing process—from painting, sculpting, creating music or video clips or ASMR, pottery, creating junk journals or sewing, fiber arts, digital collage and photography, to endless other art forms. Creating in another artistic medium can inspire renewal, deepening, and wondrous new directions in writing as well; in my own artistic process, my work in photography and doodling have often provided encouragement and revitalization for my poetry, fiction, and writing craft books and articles.

In this inspiring new four-week class, each week students will read four readings and prompts from our class text, You Are an Artist: Assignments to Spark Creation by Sarah Urist Green, and then choose one chapter’s art prompt for a whirl and create a piece of art in any style or medium of their choosing. Then, students will document/reflect on their process of creating the art project each week. There will also be a private class Facebook group which will act as the class water cooler for sharing and where the instructor will post writing and arts resources that may further spark the creative wheels of writers. No previous arts instruction or experience necessary—just a sense of curiosity, fun, dabbling, and can-do about experimenting with other art forms.

Reading topics will include: “Draw What You Know, Rather Than What You See,” “Lost Childhood Object,” “Constructed Landscape,” “Graphic Score,” “Imaginary Friend,” “Writing as Drawing as Writing,” “Quietest Place,” “Paper Plate,” and more! Join us for this course that’s sure to fire up thinking-outside-the-box creativity and rejuvenation.

Melanie demonstrates particular qualities in a writing teacher/coach that I would recommend for anyone looking for focused attention to help move their writing forward. I had not taken an on-line course previously, and didn't know what to expect, but Melanie melted the distance, was always accessible, and never missed a beat with out on-line communication. I always felt like I had Melanie right here around my writing table, or knocking on my door saying—“I had a few thoughts..." She provided a wealth of resources and provided us with course materials that were tuned to our course level. Her insight into my work, in terms of critique, were extremely thoughtful, thorough, and eye-opening. I feel that working with Melanie has allowed me to be braver with my writing and editing—as she was supportive of experimentation and taking chances with style, vocabulary, and theme. She provides serious critique in an atmosphere that, well, just makes me want to keep on writing!” ~ Mary Ellen Sanger

Melanie has been a total joy as a teacher and guide. I found her feedback, critiques, and comments to be extraordinarily helpful and insightful. And the daily prompts and positive reinforcement made this writing class a wonderful experience! ~ Mary Purdy

Melanie’s class taught me economy of words by using strong verbs and nouns, implying and showing rather than telling, and exploring topics outside of my comfort zone. Her feedback is prompt, detailed and constructive. ~ Rajni Gupta

Melanie knows how to offer on-the-mark suggestions for writing improvement while also being extremely encouraging (and a joy to work with). I've taken many classes with her, including the flash class, and I plan on taking many more. ~ Marilyn Fahey

The course was great. I did not want it to end. I have taken several college level creative writing courses, as well as, attended many writer’s workshops, but I have enjoyed this course the most. I really appreciated that Melanie would also critique our re-writes which was very, very helpful. This course has really helped to motivate me creatively. ~ Barb Cramer

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Duration: (4 weeks) Friday, August 2, 2024 course begins, through Friday, August 30, 2024

Week One: Draw What You Know, Rather Than What You See, Paper Weaving, Sorted Books, Lost Childhood Object

You Are An Artist Reading Assignment:

“Draw What You Know, Rather Than What You See” (p 14-17)
“Paper Weaving,” (p 67-71)
“Sorted Books” (p 107-110)
“Lost Childhood Object” (p 156-160)

Art Assignment:
Choose one of the four assignments from this week’s reading to make a piece of art to share. Feel free to modify any of the assignment’s instructions if you get rolling and the piece calls for it. Alternately, you may instead pursue an idea of your own or read and choose from another chapter in the book. Then, write a paragraph detailing any part of your creation process you wish to reflect on and share. What surprised you the most? What did you learn that you are excited to apply to your writing in the future?

Week Two: Meet in the Middle, Constructed Landscape, Imaginary Friend, Graphic Score

You Are An Artist Reading Assignment:

“Meet in the Middle” (p 111-115)
“Constructed Landscape” (p 120-124)
“Imaginary Friend” (p 200-204)
“Graphic Score” (p 214-218)

Week Three: Expanded Moment, Writing as Drawing as Writing, Boundaries, Off

You Are An Artist Reading Assignment:

“Expanded Moment” (p 169-173)
“Writing as Drawing as Writing” (p 174-177)
“Boundaries” (p 178-181)
“Off” (page 182-185)

Week Four: Blow Up, Quietest Place, Paper Plate, Conjure a Studio

You Are An Artist Reading Assignment:

“Blow Up” (p 58-62)
“Quietest Place” (p 22-25)
“Paper Plate” (p 225-228)
“Conjure a Studio” (p 229-232)

Materials needed:

You Are an Artist: Assignments to Spark Creation by Sarah Urist Green (Penguin Books 2020). Print and ebook copies available at Amazon.
Basic art supplies (whatever you’d like to work/experiment with, and most of which you probably already have or can easily obtain, including your favorite/preferred materials of your own choosing such as: paper/sketchbook of any size, a paper plate, lead or graphite/sketch pencils, modeling clay, tape, string, colored pencils or pens, markers, paints, felt or cloth scraps or scrapbook paper, glitter or sequins or beads or pompoms, collage materials—like old magazines or paint swatches, scissors, pipe cleaners, stickers or stampers, construction or other craft paper, glue stick or craft glue, etc.). Raiding a junk drawer, closet, or desk drawer for small objects or leftover supplies might also yield materials for some of the assignments. The sky’s the limit.
Optional: students are also always welcome for any assignments to create other forms of art, such as music clips/songs, ASMR videos, performance clips, and the like using any instruments and/or video or sound equipment the student wishes or has on hand.
Your imagination.
A phone or basic digital camera or video camera of any kind to document and share your art and process.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Melanie Faith holds an MFA in Poetry from Queens University of Charlotte, NC. Her writing has been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize. She’s worked as a freelance editor for over a decade. Her full-length, historical poetry collection set in the 1918 flu epidemic, This Passing Fever, was published by Future Cycle Press. She’s also published a Regency novella (Uncial Press). Vine Leaves Press has published six of her writing craft books about such diverse topics as publishing, flash fiction, poetry, photography, teaching online, and writing a research book. In addition to numerous photography publications, her instructional articles about creative writing techniques have appeared in The Writer and Writers’ Journal, among others. To learn more about Melanie’s writing, teaching, and photography, please visit: www.melaniedfaith.com, Twitter: @writer_faith, and Instagram: @frompromisingtopublished99.

COST: $185, which includes access to a private group for student interactions.

BUY NOW: Art Making for Authors with Melanie Faith (4 weeks, starting 8/2/2024) Limit: 10 students. Early registration is recommended.

Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor. She will contact you via email so you can get started.

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Additional Testimonials for Melanie Faith:

I took the nature writing class a few weeks ago and it was one of the best courses I've even taken. Melanie Faith is an excellent instructor. ~ Jean Forsythe

Your course has jump-started me back into writing. I have missed it. Thank you. ~ Melissa Healy

Melanie Faith’s “Spark and Sizzle Flash Fiction Class” lives up to its title. The sample stories provided were examples of good writing and served as models. Melanie’s prompts came at a rapid pace and kept my pen on the page every day. Her critique comments were sharp and encouraging and challenged me to be the best writer I could be. She is easily available for questions or discussions during and after her classes via her personal email. This is the third class I’ve taken with Melanie and I am looking forward to taking many more in the future. ~ Renee Cassese

Melanie has always shown great insight into my work. Often times, she is able to pull out deeper meanings, that even I wasn't consciously aware of while writing. Her constructive criticism has moved my writing into new directions. I find that I feel more confident and prepared as a writer by having her constant editing eye. I respect that she critiques my poetry honestly, letting me know areas that are weak as well as strong points. I wouldn't be able to grow as a writer if she always told me my poems were great. It's from her perspective of my work that I grow. I enjoy learning through her and appreciate her sharing tricks of the trade that she learned in her masters program.

I'm thankful to know Melanie and hope we remain friends and a poetry support system for the rest of our lives. She's the type of person and writer that anyone would feel lucky to know. She is a great mentor and holds a wealth of knowledge in the written language. Her achievements and constant pursuit as a writer inspire so many. Her determination and skill will go very far and I suspect she'll leave a lasting imprint in the written world. She already has. ~ Courtney Burger

Melanie demonstrates particular qualities in a writing teacher/coach that I would recommend for anyone looking for focused attention to help move their writing forward.

I had not taken an on-line course previously, and didn't know what to expect, but Melanie melted the distance, was always accessible, and never missed a beat with out on-line communication. I always felt like I had Melanie right here around my writing table, or knocking on my door saying—“I had a few thoughts..." She provided a wealth of resources and provided us with course materials that were tuned to our course level.

Her insight into my work, in terms of critique, were extremely thoughtful, thorough, and eye-opening. I feel that working with Melanie has allowed me to be braver with my writing and editing—as she was supportive of experimentation and taking chances with style, vocabulary, and theme. She provides serious critique in an atmosphere that, well, just makes me want to keep on writing!” ~ Mary Ellen Sanger

I have taken three courses from Melanie and in each course I grow tremendously as a writer. The texts she uses as well as the handouts and daily writing prompts all contribute to what she refers to as “the writing life” and in her courses that’s exactly what it becomes. Her comments on the pieces go way beyond grammar and punctuation. She delves into the content and clarifies what is good and what can be adjusted to make the piece stronger. I can tell she spends time reading what I write and is prompt in returning the assignments so I always have plenty of time for revision. She treats me, and everyone in the class, like a writer. Her classes are a joy. If there is a course offered by Melanie and I can fit it in, I always take it. ~ Holly Helscher

I have the normal anxiousness of sharing my work while so excited to have Melanie Faith’s critical eye read my writing. It is always reviewed with an eye to improvement and an eye to the thoughts the words contain. This is the first computer class I have ever taken and want to take many more. I also look forward to many more classes with Melanie Faith. ~ Benita Cervantes

Because I love memoir writing, I have taken two memoir/personal essay classes from Melanie. I can’t believe this, but because I enjoy the teacher herself and her method of teaching so much, I’ve even taken a poetry-writing class. I’ve always steered away from writing poetry of any kind ever since I wrote a poem in college (an assignment, not a by-choice piece) and the class laughed because I wrote about a controversial topic and was so naïve that I didn’t even know it was controversial. Every time I’d mention to Melanie that I’d never write a poem, she’d encourage me to take her class, assuring me that I’d be successful. I took the class, and sure enough, I was successful, thanks to Melanie’s velvet critiquing, encouraging comments, and thoughtful suggestions, many times seeing in my writing what I couldn’t see for myself.

I have to rein myself in every time I see in the WOW classes list that Melanie is teaching another essay class. And why is this? In all of my education (B.A. in English and M.A. in English), I never took a writing class. When I was in college, writing was taught only in Freshman English; after that class, we were just expected to know how to write. I learned to teach writing myself by reading books about writing. How refreshing and educational to find a teacher/mentor who exhibits the characteristics that I know an excellent writing teacher has: the creativity to come up with topics that students want to write about, the ability to critique without finding fault, the desire to encourage students to keep on writing even when the juices aren’t flowing. Believe me . . . she’s an excellent teacher. In addition, she became my friend through being my teacher. To be a friend AND a teacher takes real talent. ~ Sandy Young

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