Valerie Fioravanti

News
All courses listed are currently open. I'll remove courses as they fill. Once a course is full, you'll be enrolled in a message group for the course. This will make it easier to communicate as a group. 

I was interviewed about my workshops by the Sacramento Press, a local paper that encourages citizen journalism. You can read the article here. My thanks to Kassie Perlongo for her time.

My workshops received an online write up here. Thanks to Shelley Blanton-Stroud for the plug!

About the Workshops
I've been teaching writing for almost ten years now, and I think smaller is better when it comes to workshop size. Most of the workshops I teach for universities run 15-20 students. I think capping the class size at 6-10 allows more room for personalized attention and for more student interaction. Everyone will get to participate, and nobody's quiet presence will be overlooked. Successful writers work hard at their writing, taking a story, essay, or novel through many drafts before publication. I take my students seriously enough to view their work as a practiced, professional reader of fiction, and I provide feedback that will enable you to reconsider and revise your work over time.    

In six-week workshop sessions, you'll be able to present two pieces for workshop, and you'll have to read and comment upon two pieces from your classmates. I firmly believe reading and responding to other stories improves your own writing abilities over time (mine were honed as a literary contest and magazine reader as well as a workshop participant). In larger classes, however, responding to workshop stories can become burdensome if/when outside responsibilities intrude. Shorter, smaller classes lend themselves to the natural rhythms of a writer's life, which must blend the solitude of a regular writing practice with the need for community and feedback.

Writing groups are a great source of encouragement and support, and community is an important aspect of the writer's solitary life. However, if you are an unpublished writer in a writing group with other aspiring writers, you may not be learning what you need to in order to move forward with your goals. As a writer and an editor, I understand the writing world from both perspectives, and I understand the craft/technique issues that trip beginning writers. Learning the expectations of the form from professionals doesn't diminish a writer's voice, it allows that voice to emerge more fully and confidently. One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Bringhurst, "By all means break the rules, but break them beautifully, deliberately, and well." Knowledge precedes innovation. It will feed your artistry, make you more willing to risk failure, which is the best way to learn.

I accept credit card payments via paypal (there is a $5 processing fee for this convenience) as well as the usual methods. I require a $25 deposit to hold a spot, with full payment due when the class roster is full. I am also willing to barter services if we can come to an equitable, mutually beneficial arrangement. If you have further questions, just email me or fill out the contact form. I'm open to suggestions/feedback.

 
About Me
I've published stories, essays, prose poems, travel pieces, profiles, and reviews in literary and travel journals. I have a few pieces posted online (see my home tab for links), but the bulk are available only in print. I've won some big awards, like the Fulbright, and been nominated/short-listed for several more. My first book, a linked story collection, is awaiting publication.

Despite all of the above, I receive rejections, too. A lot of them. Some readers don't care for my work, and I've learned that's okay. There are many writing luminaries that I don't care for. That's part of the subjectivity of art. You learn to shrug it off (workshop helps you form the callous that you need to survive as a professional). It helps when you acknowledge your own aesthetics and biases. You have them. You do. Yep.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

AUGUST 2010

Beginning Fiction Workshop
6 sessions, 6 students max
Beginning Tuesday, August 10th, 7-9 pm
Location: 17th & H
$200

This workshop is designed for beginning writers or writers with no previous writing instruction or workshop experience. The basics of writing and the workshop process will be covered by a course text. The first three weeks will include weekly writing exercises and the last three weeks students will workshop a short story or novel chapter.

SEPTEMBER 2010

Short Story & Flash Workshop
6 sessions, 6 students max
Beginning Thursday, September 16th, 7-9PM
Location: 17th & H
$200

This workshop is designed for writers with previous workshop experience and instruction. Writers will be expected to submit two pieces for workshop. Writers provide written feedback for their peers, and do some outside reading aimed at understanding the craft involved in writing strong fiction. Short stories and flash pieces (2-3 pieces under 1,000 words can be combined per workshop) are welcome. At the end of workshop, each student will have a chance to meet with me individually in order to discuss his/her overall writing goals/progress. The final class discussion topic will be publication. Guest speakers likely.

OCTOBER 2010

Novel Workshop
6 sessions, 5 students max
Beginning  Monday, October 11th, 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: 17th & H
$250

This workshop is designed for writers with 30-50 pages of a novel draft written. Each session will be dedicated to one novel opening. The work of many first novelists "warms up" after the first few chapters, but editors/agents make decisions in the first few pages. We will discuss writing pitfalls that editors/agents look for in the work of first novelists and other market-related issues. Each student will have a chance to meet with me individually in order to discuss his/her overall writing goals/progress.

NOVEMBER 2010

Beginning Fiction Workshop
6 sessions, 6 students max
Beginning Tuesday, November 2nd, 7-9 pm
Location: 17th & H
$200

This workshop is designed for beginning writers or writers with no previous writing instruction or workshop experience. The basics of writing and the workshop process will be covered by a course text. The first three weeks will include weekly writing exercises and the last three weeks students will workshop a short story or novel chapter.

"Valerie Fioravanti is a teacher who creates not simply a classroom, but a community. She invites her students to share their work and contribute their viewpoints, and she is generous with insightful and honest feedback. I leave her class richer and more empowered in my work." - Ana Maria Montoya

~~~

Hi Valerie,

I just wanted to thank you for the great writing experience in the Short Story class at UCLA. You created a very cooperative and encouraging writing environment, and I felt very comfortable experimenting with my writing.

The reading that we analyzed was excellent. I appreciate that you chose a wide range of writers from various backgrounds. I found it helpful to read the stories as a writer, and to look at how the writers approach various elements such as theme, dialogue, plot, character development, and the list goes on...

I also really appreciate the time and energy you put into reading and commenting on my stories. You have a sharp eye for detecting the areas that I privately felt needed work but did not know how to fix.

Once again, thank you for showing true dedication to the encouragement of new writers and making my early attempts at writing very favorable.

Best always,