Crafting Fictional Characters from Real Folks with Jennie Shortridge (Online)

**This workshop will be live streamed via Zoom.** 

Have you ever wondered if it’s okay to write a fictional piece about someone from real life, whether famous, family, or your old boss? Indeed, it is, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ethical, moral, and legal issues to understand and contend with. In this class, we’ll discuss legalities and best practices, as well as how to fictionalize her or him “enough” in your writing, without losing the qualities that made you want to write that person in the first place. Please come with an example of someone real to cast in a fictional context, whether it’s your mom or Abe Lincoln. This class will include handouts, worksheets, and writing exercises.  

Attendees will:

• Learn publishing practices with regard to fictionalization of real people in stories
• Understand how to “disguise” their “real life” characters
• Put it into practice with personalized writing exercises

Details:

• Registration for this class will close on Thursday, October 14th at 4:00 pm (Pacific Daylight Time).
• This class will be presented via the Zoom video conferencing program. For a great video on how to use Zoom, watch this tutorial.
• A Zoom link will be sent to the email address you registered with one day prior to the class. Please watch for this email. You may need to check your spam folder for emails from BARN.
  
• Tuition assistance is available. Click here to apply.

• BARN reserves the right to cancel this class in the case of low enrollment and a full refund will be given.

Jennie Shortridge is the author of five novels, including Love Water Memory and When She Flew, and is currently working on a memoir. Her books have been translated, optioned for screen, and selected to grace many “best pick” lists in the industry. Jennie has enjoyed teaching over the past twenty years at such places as BARN, Hugo House, Hedgebrook, the PNWA Conference, and many more. In a recent past life, she was the cofounder and executive director of Seattle7Writers, a literary nonprofit.