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How to Create an Irresistible Narrator – Taught by Steve Almond

Many a short story, essay, novel, and memoir have gone unpublished because the author fails to create a strong narrator, one who can act as a wise and entertaining guide to the reader. In this class, you will  examine the work of Sylvia Plath, Jane Austen, Alicia Erian, Joan Didion, and others in an effort to make sure your next narrator isn’t just strong, but irresistible. 

Steve will upend what you thought you knew about narrators and make you reconsider how you go about creating characters on the page.

The fiercely amazing writer Steve Almond (Candyfreak, God Bless America) has been  teaching writers for a long time, including at Seattle’s Hugo House and Portland’s Tin House Summer Writer’s Workshop.

Steve Almond, author of ten books of fiction and non-fiction, including the New York Times bestsellers “Candyfreak” and  “Against Football.”

Now he is teaching an online class to support one of our own, Laurel Leigh, to help her cover her medical and other basic expenses.

The class Steve will be offering for this project is: How to Create an Irresistible Narrator

Laurel Leigh has supported her community of friends and writers across the country for decades. She has always had time to give advice, send a cheerful message, share a heartfelt hello. She has mentored new writers and aspiring authors. She has let wordsmiths borrow her confidence until they found their own. Now it’s time for us to step up and support her.

Laurel Leigh – mentor for writers, editor, and builder of writer communities.

Laurel Leigh Needs Our Help

Recently, our wonderful friend and mentor Laurel Leigh got devastating news from her doctors: She has advanced-stage lung cancer.

She’s never smoked. Nobody knows exactly when or why she developed lung cancer, but she did.

Laurel is self-employed and has not been able to work full-time since starting treatment last month. By the time it was discovered, her cancer was inoperable, and part of her right lung is collapsed around the main tumor. She is undergoing simultaneous chemo and radiation therapy. To make matters worse, she cannot tolerate some of the medications used to lessen the treatment side effects. Her health insurance is covering only a part of the treatment costs, and as a freelancer she does not have paid time off or short-term disability coverage.

 

The only way to get a seat at Steve Almond’s exclusive class on narration is to donate $75 or more, using this link, with “Steve Almond” mentioned  in the Comments  section on Laurel Leigh’s GoFundMe webpage. The Zoom invitation will be sent via GoFundMe’s Thank You email.

 

If you are not taking the online class, please consider making a contribution to help Laurel cover her medical and other basic expenses. It doesn’t have to be much. Even a small amount will reduce the pressure on her in this difficult time. You may contribute here. 

 

Note from Kiffer:  I first met Laurel Leigh while she was supporting local authors at Village Books in Fairhaven at an event. She is considered to be a founder of the Bellingham writers’ community. Many of us remember her from Open Mic with Laurel Leigh at Whatcom Talks  and Village Books where she encouraged published and unpublished authors. She is a gracious and talented word-crafter who is generous with her knowledge and experience. 

 

Please join Sean Dwyer, Cami Ostman, Paul Hanson, and myself along with Sabine Sloley, Dawn Groves, Selah Tay-Song, and others of the writing community who have joined forces to help Laurel fight the good fight. Please feel free to contact any of us if you have any questions or want to know how you can help Laurel. 

 

Here’s to Laurel’s full and speedy recovery! – Kiffer and Andrew Brown 

 

This class on narration is suitable for all levels of writers.

When: Wednesday,  September 22, 2021 from 5 – 7 p.m. PDT (8 – 10 p.m. Eastern Time)

Where: Online via Zoom

COST:  A donation of $75 or more to the GoFundMe campaign of the amazing Laurel Leigh to help cover illness-associated expenses. Make sure to add the words “Steve Almond” as a comment. Steve has graciously offered to teach this two-hour online class with proceeds going to the Laurel Leigh GoFundMe campaign.

Click here to enroll in the online class or to make a donation to benefit Laurel Leigh Erdoiza GoFundMe.com project.
I cannot oversell this opportunity work with my colleague Steve Almond. He is a writer. He teaches writing at a level unequaled. In particular his lectures on the narrator are excellent. You will be grateful to work with him. Claudette Sutherland.