What’s on your mind? An intimate writing forum with author David Guterson

Join bestselling author David Guterson for an open dialogue on writing and honing your craft. David will begin the class with a Q&A session to determine which fiction writing topics are most interesting to the attendees - whatever is on their minds, whatever is most pressing and urgent, whatever it is they hoped for when they signed up. These topics will be discussed and explored, and David will then introduce further considerations, among them titles, opening lines, opening chapters visualizing characters, understatement, time, psychic distance, noticing, distillation, reading yourself, and the relationship between mood and syntax.

A copy of Guterson’s latest novel, Evelyn in Transit, will be provided to each attendee.

Who Should Apply?

This masterclass is intended for fiction writers of all backgrounds and levels of experience, whether through formal education, independent study, or a dedicated personal practice. Participants should be comfortable engaging in open and respectful conversation with the instructor and other attendees.

Workshop Fee

Mechanics’ Institute Members/Students: $100

Non-Members: $150

About David Guterson

David Guterson is the author of 13 books, including the novel Snow Falling on Cedars, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and of the American Booksellers Association Book of the Year Award. His writing has been celebrated for its atmospheric intensity, narrative drive, and probing exploration of fundamental human themes--love, death, meaning, and morality among them. Guterson's body of work includes 6 novels, 2 story collections, 2 works of non-fiction, and 2 books of poetry. He was born in Washington State and still lives there.

Questions? Contact programs@milibrary.org or 415-393-0116