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A good novel – in fact, any good story – relies upon conflict, and that generally stems from the interaction between the tale’s hero and foe. Creating heroes, or protagonists, and antagonists who leap off the page is a must for successful writers. This class will show writers how, through examples of established authors and in lesson plans that will encourage the students to write more interesting heroes and antagonists themselves. There also will be a focus on the anti-hero, the unconventional protagonist favored today by so many writers for print, TV and film. What makes these characters effective, and how can I create one? Topic areas: Characteristics of the hero in fiction Characteristics of the antihero in fiction Characteristics of the antagonist in fiction Writing exercises include: Heroic memoir Conversion of hero into antihero, and vice versa Character in action Writing about the hero or antihero you would like to be You will be emailed the Zoom link 24 hours before the start of class. If you sign up less than 24 hours before the start of the class, please email Kristen at programs@sandiegowriters.org for your link. Follow on social media! Facebook + Instagram

A winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature is out with a debut novel for adults. Elizabeth Acevedo's Family Lore is about sisterhood and memory in a Dominican-American family.

Ekphrastic poets find their inspiration in works of visual art. The poems they write imagine, describe or expand upon the “story” of an image, and each individual poet creates unique works of poetic art, separate from but related to the visual art. In this workshop Sarah Z. Sleeper will teach you methodologies so that you can confidently approach this exciting cross-genre art space. You will work in the lovely Inspirations Gallery and will create one or more of your own ekphrastic poems. The art will be the current show in Inspirations, “Through the Veil.” Please Note: This class will be held IN PERSON at our space in Inspirations Gallery (2730 Historic Decatur Rd., Suite 204, San Diego, CA, 92106). While masks are not required, they are encouraged. Thank you! Follow on social media! Facebook + Instagram

Economic data show higher prices and constant warnings of a downturn haven't slowed down American shoppers. The Fed is anxious. Companies are thrilled.

Even if you’re not writing “about” sports, this class is for you. Come discover ways the fiction writer can leverage sports to build character, navigate plot, and establish stakes. We will explore how sports offers all the stuff of great fiction: win/lose tension; characters with unambiguous wants; natural beginnings, middles, and endings (usually with literal ticking clocks); and clear opponents whose success is the protagonist’s failure. We’ll look at some examples of how well-known authors (who also weren’t writing about sports) have successfully leveraged sports and athletes to move their plots forward and give their characters believable motives. We’ll also consider how to avoid cliché and access the deep well of useful sports metaphors and themes in ways that nonfiction can’t. You will be emailed the Zoom link 24 hours before the start of class. If you sign up less than 24 hours before the start time of the class, please email Kristen at programs@sandiegowriters.org for your link. Follow on social media! Facebook + Instagram

From the organizers: Come see this special Halloween concert and silent movie with the “Phantom of the Opera,” accompanied by the Spreckels Pipe Organ, the largest open air musical instrument in the world! The event will begin with a pre-concert talk with the artists at 5:30 p.m., along with a silent auction and games. At 6:00 p.m., Victoria Robertson, soprano, and Bernardo Bermúdez, tenor, will sing excerpts from the popular Broadway show, “Phantom of the Opera.” At 6:30 p.m., the 1925 “Phantom of the Opera” silent movie will be portrayed on a big screen atop the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage, accompanied by Mark Herman, organist. Follow on social media: Facebook + Instagram

New York City officials say they are overwhelmed by an influx of asylum-seekers. Hundreds of immigrants are crowded into at least one detention center.

Abortion clinics in Mexico are already seeing patients from the U.S. With the current turmoil over Roe v. Wade, clinics there are expecting to see even more cross-border patients. Meanwhile, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Nathan Fletcher has a proposal for city leaders countywide: you provide the shelter space and the county will offer onsite mental health services and public benefits assistance. Plus, how to learn more about the candidates running for three San Diego County Superior Court judicial seats in the June primary.

Ready to nail those Personal Interest Questions (PIQ’s)? Whether you’re brainstorming, fine-tuning, or finished and asking “Is it good enough?”, Gabby and Jen are here to offer insider tips and do’s and don’ts that will help your hard work shine. Experienced UCSD admissions reader / college advisor Gabby Yates will share insights into what schools want to see in a college app essay. Author, poet, and teacher Jen Laffler brings the craft — supporting you to find and use your authentic voice to cut through cliche’ and tell your compelling story… in 350 words or less! Bring what you’ve got; come ready to write, edit, and learn; and expect to leave feeling confident. Gabby and Jen share a similar motivation — we want *everyone* to have the tools they need to write an essay that will help them be a strong applicant to the college they aspire to attend. We know this can be a stressful time for students and their families, and we are here to help guide that challenging experience into a positive and creative one. Note: The end of class (2:30pm to 3pm) will provide a space for Q&A / R&C for those who would like to share and receive feedback about their work. Bring what you have or stay and learn from others! You will be emailed the Zoom link 24 hours before the start of class. If you sign up less than 24 hours before the start of the class, please email Kristen at programs@sandiegowriters.org for your link. Follow on social media! Facebook + Instagram

Third Sunday Craft is a monthly gathering of creative writers that fosters support, inspiration, and community. More than craft classes, Third Sunday Craft will help you construct and sustain a writing practice. New focus topics* for each session will challenge writers to explore and expand their craft. Generative writing prompts will encourage you to grow and learn in exciting new ways. Sharing your work within a safe, supportive community will help you discover and strengthen your voice. Finally, with the goal of fostering supportive accountability, each session will conclude with a writer’s intentions for the month. Come check out Third Sunday Craft! Please note that signing up for two months at a time will allow you to take advantage of the following discount: $62 for two months for members, $74 for two months for nonmembers *Please be sure to check each class page for writing assignments! October’s Focus: October, Building Suspense: How do writers create suspense? How do they create and sustain suspense in scenes? What is a resolution? What is a reader most curious about when they read? What gets them to keep reading? Pre-Class Assignment: In one or two sentences, describe a problem a character has in the story. Make it simple and clear: Eg.: Johnny wants to plant a tree but he doesn’t have any seeds. Now, in bullet format, thing of ways you can create suspense for the character or create solutions for the character’s problem. Try to list at least 10! Be creative and explore the terrain. You will be emailed the Zoom link 24 hours before the start of class. If you sign up less than 24 hours before the start of the class, please email Kristen at programs@sandiegowriters.org for your link. Follow on social media! Facebook + Instagram