Search results for

NPR critic Linda Holmes has been a Billy Joel fan since the '80s. HBO's new two-part documentary still taught her something new about his life — and provided a chance to consider the role of his music in her own.

A research team has successfully tested a blood substitute in animals, and human trials may not be far off. The powdered blood could help medics respond faster in a crisis.

The roots of storytelling literally go back to prehistoric oral traditions that have carried on perennial myths, themes, and archetypes that infuse the human experience from its beginnings all the way up through modern times. Writing a well-written narrative is mastering the energies of your story – the multi faceted energies that determine the moods, reactions, choices and traits of your characters, the energies between characters, the drive of the pacing, action and dialogue to create a deeper, emotionally powerful resonance within your total story structure. If you’re serious about your writing, this hands-on dramatic writing workshop will bring a new perspective to understanding these elements that make solid, well-paced stories that grab your audience, emotionally connect them with your characters and pull them all the way through your hero’s journey to a powerful climax and rewarding resolution. Whether you are writing novels, short stories, screenplays, or memoirs, this proven approach creates emotionally resonant, believable characters, plots and worlds for your story. Using a multi-level shamanic approach to take a deeper look at your story, Matt shows you how to bring your writing process into focus by demonstrating his unique method of comprehending the energetic dynamics that make up a well-structured story. This lecture will focus on bringing a greater understanding of how these story elements interact, support each other, and drive the unfolding of the overall story arc. Narrative flow, time and space transitions, scene openings and closings, and many other effective tips and tricks will be shown to help your story move with authority and create a vivid, believable landscape for your protagonist to pass through. Join Matt for a transformative nuts and bolts intensive, in-depth discussion that will change the way you approach your writing and storytelling forever. Attendees are encouraged to bring their writing problems and questions for discussion, analysis, and guidance. San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Note: Though this class is offered as part of the Novel Writing Certificate Program, there is no pre-requisite to join this class. All students, members, and nonmembers are encouraged to enroll. In this six week workshop, students will expand upon what they have learned about the key components of novel writing. The focus of this workshop will be on character development, scene building, narrative structure and the process of writing a first draft. Participants will be encouraged to submit a chapter of their work for peer review. Previous Novel Writing Certificate classes are recommended as a prerequisite. However, experienced/advanced writers may take this workshop with instructor approval. Note: There will be no class on Saturday, August 16. Thank you for your understanding! San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

In this class we will revisit the main building blocks of your memoir as well as hone the essential skill sets needed to complete your first draft. We will pay special attention to your structure, character arc and scene writing. We will also cover How to Write a Book Proposal in the last session of the class. Since the former sessions work on learning individual skill sets (think one melody at a time), this class is vital to assist the writer in learning how to use all of the skill sets at once for a first draft (think symphony). Visit: https://writeyourstorynow.org/certificates-wrkshps/2025-09-06-memoir-v-with-marni-freedman-and-tracy-j-jones/ SD Writers Ink on Instagram and Facebook

If you have always wanted to write a novel but didn’t know where to start, this workshop will help you understand the process of writing a novel so you can get started putting pen to paper. In this six-week workshop, we will focus on everything from generating ideas to developing characters to establishing point of view. We will touch on many elements of fiction (dialogue, scene, etc.), but the emphasis will be on discovering the writing process that works best for you. Visit: https://writeyourstorynow.org/certificates-wrkshps/2025-08-16-novel-i-with-david-coddon/ SD Writers Ink on Instagram and Facebook

As Democrats push to release Epstein-related files, a former Justice Department official says the public may never see the full details.

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.

With this debut novel of an immigrant torn between the U.S. and Nigeria, Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo takes her place among the writers who have ably investigated the idea of home.

The audacity of Tyler, the Creator's latest release might shoulder-shimmy right past you without an abbreviated crash course on the oh-so-fraught history between rap and dance.