Creative Writing Colloquium Schedule 8:15 - 9 a.m. Registration9-9:15 Opening Remarks9:15 - 10 a.m. Session 1 (Fiction)Kirsten Hubbard "Action and Emotion: Balancing Intensity and Introspection in Writing"Explore how to craft powerful action scenes that balance physical tension with emotional depth. Using examples such as sports, traumatic events, and battles, Kirsten Hubbard will guide participants through writing action with purpose and authenticity, focusing on describing movement, tempo, pace, and language choices that reinforce the work’s themes. This hands-on session includes exercises to help writers create dynamic, meaningful action sequences.9:15 - 10 a.m. Session 1 (Poetry)Katy Giebenhain "Public Health as Muse"When we see the themes we are already writing about through a public health lens it can be really interesting – for our readers, and for us as writers. In this craft session we’ll look at some subtle but powerful approaches to creative writing with an attention to public health. 10 - 10:45 a.m Session 2 (Fiction)Sherri Buerdsell “The Fiction of Jeffrey Bardwell”Last summer, the Wilson community unexpectedly lost a valued member, Jeffrey Bardwell. Though Jeff taught in the biology department, he was also a dedicated writer with a strong fan following. Many of you may remember Jeff from his presentation on newsletters at last year’s colloquium. In this session, we’ll look at some selections of Jeff’s work and discuss what we can learn about writing from his work. Consider bringing some writing you are working on to apply the lessons we’ll learned in this session. 10 - 10:45 a.m Session 2 (Poetry)Noel Sloboda “Revision in Theory and Practice”Writers tend to be divided in their attitudes towards revision. Bernard Malamud declares that “Revision is one of the exquisite pleasures of writing.” Dorothy Parker, on the other hand, complains about process, quipping that “I hate writing, [but] I love having written.” Yet all serious writers, whatever their attitudes toward revision, acknowledge that it is an essential part of their craft. My session at the Wilson College Creative Writing Colloquium will address some of the many reasons why revision can be challenging, despite its necessity and rewards. In addition, I will cover several techniques for helping writers successfully revise their work.10:45 - 11:30 a.m. Session 3Alicia Drumgoole Keynote Speaker11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch (Jensen Dining Hall)1:15 - 2 p.m. Author Q and A You got questions? We got answers! Ask any of our colloquium authors your burning questions about writing, publishing, and more! The colloquium is underwritten by the Arts for All grant opportunity of the Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.
