I occasionally teach writing workshops online. Most of my classes are offered through Writespace, based in Houston; The Muse Writers Center, based in Hampton Roads, VA; and the Susan M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, based in Houston.
If you are interested in hiring me to teach a class or workshop, please fill out the form below.
If you are interested in hiring me to teach a class or workshop, please fill out the form below.
Upcoming Workshops
Creative Writing Summer Camp for Adults
June 3, 9AM - 5PM EDT
$175
Offered in-person via The Muse
Each hour in this fun, day-long, creative writing “camp” for adults, we’ll explore different aspects of writing and the writing life. We’ll write together, and we’ll enjoy 2 camp-wide/keynote sessions and 12 breakout sessions/workshops led by noted teachers and authors to explore craft, professional development, and writerly fun.
The day will conclude with a 5 p.m. Writers Happy Hour, where you can mingle with fellow writers as well as Muse students, teachers, and friends.
Join us and have fun with your words, try something new, and hone your craft–rejuvenating yourself in a guided, friendly, and supportive environment. Light snacks and supplies provided. Bag lunch or lunch on your own. Limited to 20 attendees. Interested? Register here!
I'll be leading three sessions:
June 3, 9AM - 5PM EDT
$175
Offered in-person via The Muse
Each hour in this fun, day-long, creative writing “camp” for adults, we’ll explore different aspects of writing and the writing life. We’ll write together, and we’ll enjoy 2 camp-wide/keynote sessions and 12 breakout sessions/workshops led by noted teachers and authors to explore craft, professional development, and writerly fun.
The day will conclude with a 5 p.m. Writers Happy Hour, where you can mingle with fellow writers as well as Muse students, teachers, and friends.
Join us and have fun with your words, try something new, and hone your craft–rejuvenating yourself in a guided, friendly, and supportive environment. Light snacks and supplies provided. Bag lunch or lunch on your own. Limited to 20 attendees. Interested? Register here!
I'll be leading three sessions:
- Worldbuilding
- Playing with Point of View
- Publishing Talk
Writing Erotica
June 24, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT
$45 - $70
Offered online via Writespace
With the rise of e-readers, interest in erotica has exploded: readers can indulge their deepest desires without worrying that the saucy cover will give everything away. And many writers are eager for the chance to try their hand at getting salacious under a pen name.
This workshop will serve as a safe space for the curious to get as salacious as they want—without ignoring their writing craft. We’ll examine how sexually explicit material can serve as a mode of character development and how sexually driven plot lines allow us to push boundaries and explore societal taboos. We’ll also look at how to write that sexually explicit material itself—and how to find the balance between the poetic and the pornographic.
Please note that this workshop is rated NC-17. Participants can expect to read, hear, and (if they wish) use sexually explicit language, and we will be discussing sexually explicit scenarios. Out loud. Interested? Register here!
June 24, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT
$45 - $70
Offered online via Writespace
With the rise of e-readers, interest in erotica has exploded: readers can indulge their deepest desires without worrying that the saucy cover will give everything away. And many writers are eager for the chance to try their hand at getting salacious under a pen name.
This workshop will serve as a safe space for the curious to get as salacious as they want—without ignoring their writing craft. We’ll examine how sexually explicit material can serve as a mode of character development and how sexually driven plot lines allow us to push boundaries and explore societal taboos. We’ll also look at how to write that sexually explicit material itself—and how to find the balance between the poetic and the pornographic.
Please note that this workshop is rated NC-17. Participants can expect to read, hear, and (if they wish) use sexually explicit language, and we will be discussing sexually explicit scenarios. Out loud. Interested? Register here!
How to Jump from Fanfiction to Original Fiction
July 15, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Join speculative fiction author (and occasional fanfiction writer) Cassandra Rose Clarke for a discussion of how fan fiction can help you develop your skills as a writer—not just craft skills, but also publication-specific skills, such as engaging with an audience and dealing with rejection and bad reviews. We’ll talk about how to make the leap from writing fanfic to writing original fic, and look at some of the differences between the two forms. Interested? Register here!
July 15, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Join speculative fiction author (and occasional fanfiction writer) Cassandra Rose Clarke for a discussion of how fan fiction can help you develop your skills as a writer—not just craft skills, but also publication-specific skills, such as engaging with an audience and dealing with rejection and bad reviews. We’ll talk about how to make the leap from writing fanfic to writing original fic, and look at some of the differences between the two forms. Interested? Register here!
Creating a Great Villain
July 15, 1:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Sauron. Hannibal Lecter. Nurse Ratchet. Some of the most fascinating characters in literature aren’t the heroes, but the villains.
In this workshop, we’ll discuss ways to that our villains are as fully developed as their more heroic counterparts. We’ll look at how the maxim “The best villain is the hero of their own story” plays out in practice. We’ll also look at the strengths and weaknesses of different villainous archetypes, such as sympathetic villains, anti-villains, hero-villains, and classical villains. And when students leave this workshop, they will have crafted a detailed character sketch for an iconic villain of their own. Interested? Register here!
July 15, 1:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Sauron. Hannibal Lecter. Nurse Ratchet. Some of the most fascinating characters in literature aren’t the heroes, but the villains.
In this workshop, we’ll discuss ways to that our villains are as fully developed as their more heroic counterparts. We’ll look at how the maxim “The best villain is the hero of their own story” plays out in practice. We’ll also look at the strengths and weaknesses of different villainous archetypes, such as sympathetic villains, anti-villains, hero-villains, and classical villains. And when students leave this workshop, they will have crafted a detailed character sketch for an iconic villain of their own. Interested? Register here!
Building Tension
August 26, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Nothing keeps a reader turning pages like tension! In this workshop, we’ll consider how writers can effectively build tension in their writing. Together, we’ll discuss the elements of tension, from cliff hangers to pacing and character motivations to story stakes. We’ll dissect some high-tension examples from published stories and participate in several writing exercises in order to put these elements to work. Bring a laptop or pen and paper and be prepared to write, share, and try new things! Interested? Register here!
August 26, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Nothing keeps a reader turning pages like tension! In this workshop, we’ll consider how writers can effectively build tension in their writing. Together, we’ll discuss the elements of tension, from cliff hangers to pacing and character motivations to story stakes. We’ll dissect some high-tension examples from published stories and participate in several writing exercises in order to put these elements to work. Bring a laptop or pen and paper and be prepared to write, share, and try new things! Interested? Register here!
Writing Great Sex Scenes
August 26, 1:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Are you interested in writing steamy scenes in your fiction—without sacrificing story and character? This workshop will dive into the ins and outs of great sex scenes. We’ll look at the commonalities between literary sex scenes and their less salacious cousin, action scenes, and examine how sex can serve as a mode of character development. We’ll also talk about tips and strategies for depicting sex on the page, from the classic fade-to-black moment to poetically explicit erotica—and everything in between.
With sample texts, lively discussion, and plenty of exercises, participants will discover that sex scenes can play an integral role in crafting great fiction. Interested? Register here!
August 26, 1:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
$45
Offered in-person via The Muse
Are you interested in writing steamy scenes in your fiction—without sacrificing story and character? This workshop will dive into the ins and outs of great sex scenes. We’ll look at the commonalities between literary sex scenes and their less salacious cousin, action scenes, and examine how sex can serve as a mode of character development. We’ll also talk about tips and strategies for depicting sex on the page, from the classic fade-to-black moment to poetically explicit erotica—and everything in between.
With sample texts, lively discussion, and plenty of exercises, participants will discover that sex scenes can play an integral role in crafting great fiction. Interested? Register here!
Hire Me to Teach Your Writing Workshop!
I have over a decade's worth of experience teaching classes and workshops related to literature and writing (both creative and academic) and have worked with students of all ages. In addition to my work with Writespace and the Muse, I have taught writing and composition at Houston Community College and Lonestar College and led library workshops for junior high students and high school students.
As an educator, I believe students should be the focus of a classroom, not the teacher. I strive to ensure my students, regardless of their age and experience, are as involved as possible in the learning process.
If you are interested in working with me to offer a workshop, class, or talk, please contact me via the form below:
As an educator, I believe students should be the focus of a classroom, not the teacher. I strive to ensure my students, regardless of their age and experience, are as involved as possible in the learning process.
If you are interested in working with me to offer a workshop, class, or talk, please contact me via the form below: