Judy Hogan teaches classes in the communities of Durham, Wake, Cary, Chatham and Chapel Hill. Classes are usually offered in private residences and attended by members of the community interested in improving their writing and working within a group of other students. Judy's method involves reading the work of great authors and helping students achieve their own voice in writing. Students are given the opportunity to share their own work.
Current class offerings:
LIFESTYLE SUPPORT FOR WRITERS: September 11, 2004, Saturday, 9 A.M.-4 P.M. at Judy's home in Moncure, lunch provided. Cost: $50. Time-management, economics, diet, exercise, brain storming, loosening blocks to enhance writing, in-class exercises.
INDEPENDENT PROSE PROJECTS: FICTION, JOURNAL & AUTOBIOGRAPHY
September 14-November 16, Tuesdays. 7-9 PM. Place: private home, Durham.
September 15-November 17, Wednesdays. 7-9 PM. Private home, Chatham County.
Everyone will work on his/her own writing project, take a turn reading to the group, follow a self-designed contract, and turn in a completed piece of work at the end of the course. We will read Khaled Hosseini’s novel of modern Afghanistan, The Kite Runner* study it as a model, discuss it in depth, while reviewing basic techniques useful in all genres, like scene writing, characterization, plot, preparation, etc. The Kite Runner has particular relevance to the continuing human problem of ethnic hatred and violence all over the world. The strength of the book is in how it breaks down prejudices and stereotypes.
Cost: $130. The Kite Runner is the new Community Read book for 2004-05 at Pittsboro Memorial Library, and the Friends of the Library will be sponsoring programs in the spring discussing it.
September 16-November 18, Thursdays. Cost $130. 7-9 P.M. Private home, Chapel Hill. We will read modern Greek poets Yannis Ritsos, Odysseus Elytis, and George Seferis during the first half of the course. Students will choose other poets whose work has spoken out directly or subtly against oppression and present them to the class. Handouts of selected poems will be provided for a minimal fee. Interested writers may enroll by sending a deposit of $20. The balance of the class fee is due on the first night unless prior arrangements have been made. Call Judy for questions and directions to the first class. Classes are limited to 12, on a first-come, first served basis.