Gerry is available in the Jackson, Mississippi, area to facilitate the following workshops and provide other services for writers, teachers, and the business community:
Writers
Writing Short Fiction is designed to help beginning writers explore the craft of writing short stories. This workshop focuses on the basics: the process of discovery, or finding ideas for stories; developing characters; building plot; structuring scene; establishing place; and revising the story. The beginners’ experience includes an introduction to the writers’ workshop, where participants learn to share and critique work in a positive, non-threatening atmosphere.
Advanced Short Fiction is a workshop for writers who are familiar with the basic tools of fiction and are ready to take their work to a more sophisticated level and share and receive constructive feedback in a group setting.
Reading as a Writer reinforces craft through reading and analyzing short stories by outstanding authors in the field, both classic and contemporary. This workshop is recommended for both beginning writers who are avid readers and interested in learning more about craft and more advanced writers who seek to improve their skills.
Poetry Workshops are available for both beginning and more advanced writers. The beginners’ workshop introduces the basic elements of poetry-writing—image, language, sound, and line—and provides writing prompts to generate ideas. For those who are already writing poetry and are familiar with the basics, the advanced workshop explores craft on a more challenging level, addresses the elements of form and narrative, and stresses the revision process.
Teachers
Writing Process in the Classroom: This workshop is not limited to English or language arts teachers but can be adapted for across-the-curriculum applications.
Creativity in the Classroom: This workshop addresses how to encourage individual thinking and creativity among students. It can also be adapted according to grade level: middle, junior high, or high school students.
Business Writing Workshops and Consultation
For those in the business community who are seeking more effective communication skills for themselves or their employees, Gerry is available for group workshops and/or individual consultations that focus on communication skills from writing the basic memo and business letter to the design and content of newsletters and promotional materials.
Individual Creative Consultations
Gerry is available for one-on-one consultations in fiction and poetry. This approach offers writers in-depth critiques and suggestions for revision of their work.
For availability and rates, please contact Gerry using the form on this site. She is available in the Jackson metropolitan area (Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties). Travel outside of the area will require appropriate reimbursement for travel expenses including mileage and accommodations (if necessary) in addition to the workshop fee.
