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This is a 3-hour Workshop 
Via Zoom

Cost is $97

In this workshop, you’ll 

  • Learn from influential writers and their use of the four elements of all writing: Narrative Action, Dialogue, Description, and Commentary.

  • Have the opportunity to learn new tools and techniques to implement in your writing immediately.

  • Write in community, and share your work with others.

  • Learn from your fellow writers.

  • See how other writers use the same tools and techniques you have learned from Jack Grapes' Method Writing.© 

  • And if you haven't studied Jack Grapes' Method Writing,© do not fear; you will learn something new and leave feeling more confident in your writing. 

Be Another Writer For A Day—An Adventure In Writing 
A Three-Hour Writing Adventure
The Detective Edition

February 2, 2025, at 9:30 am PST

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One of the best ways to become a better writer is to try and write like other writers. We call it“Car-washing.” And one of the best ways to understand how to move your narrative forward is by reading detective novels. That's why I decided to offer a Detective Edition "Carwash" Workshop.

 

We practice the concept of "Carwash" in Jack Grapes’ Method Writing© classes. Once you’ve finished all the levels, one of the assignments is the “carwash.” 

 

What is “Carwashing”?
It is the ‘mimicking’ of another writer. Think of it like a car wash for your voice. And the steering wheel is your story. 

In this workshop, you’ll drive through different styles, exploring the unique language, sensibilities, and perspectives of writers like Hemingway, Didion, Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and others. 

But you will write your story. Your story isn't getting wet; your hands are firmly on your story (the wheel) as you drive through the writer’s car wash.

In other words, you're still writing your story but "car-washed" with the author's style, voice, point of view, etc.

Some of the writers will be

Agatha Christie

Jim Thompson

Robert Parker

Louise Penny

James Crumly

Raymond Chandler

Dashiell Hammett
and more 

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We're going to play a fun game.

First I'll share a bit about each writer and share a few lines of their writing and talk about what makes them unique. Then: 

  • You'll choose the writer you’ll be crashing from a "proverbial hat.”

  • 'You'll receive the writer's bio and the passage you'll be 'car-washing' via email.

  • You'll have time to write. (Guidance on what you will write about will be given to you.)

  • Then, you'll read what you wrote WITHOUT telling us which writer you were assigned.

  • Because when you're done reading, the class will guess who you "Carwashed."

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