Signum University — Blackberry

Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.

Story crafter and squirrel watcher

Cate is an avid reader and lifelong story-maker. [see full bio...]

Highlighted Modules

Creative Writing

All Modules

Creative Writing: Story Revision Workshop

Discussion-based Medium intensity

We will meet to discuss strategies for revising a piece of writing, including finding your own vision for your story, big-picture developmental editing, and crafting scenes. Writers are encouraged to apply revision strategies between sessions and discuss their work during class if they want to share...

Writers' Workshop: Storycrafting with the “Mutinous Crew” of Ursula K. Le Guin

Discussion-based Medium intensity

What are the tools of the writer’s craft, and how can we sharpen them? In this module, we will learn about the writer’s toolkit through guided writing exercises and group discussion. We will use exercises from Ursula K Le Guin’s book Steering the Craft: A 21st-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story to explore tools like pacing, narration, point of view, syntax, and diction. Practice your writing technique, hone your craft, and embark on a journey with us through the “Sea of Story.” Note: For more information about the Collaborative Feedback Method in SPACE, please check out our video here.

Year of the Novel: Creative Writing Series Non-Sequential Series
Discussion-based High intensity

Are you ready for an adventure in writing? The Year of the Novel provides support, in depth practice of the writing craft, and encouraging feedback for your story (even if it's not a novel). One cluster of modules is for Seedling Stories, just in their beginning stages; one is for Sapling Stories ...

Are you ready for an adventure in writing? The Year of the Novel provides support, in depth practice of the writing craft, and encouraging feedback for your story (even if it's not a novel). One cluster of modules is for Seedling Stories, just in their beginning stages; one is for Sapling Stories which have a draft and are ready for shaping and curious readers; one is for Tree Stories which might need deep revision or editing to reach finished. Each module in the clusters are coordinated by your team of preceptors to draw upon lessons from the others. In addition, we will build a community of writers who go through the experience together, encouraging each other and being sounding boards for each other. Note: Anyone is welcome to join our Year of the Novel modules at any time. Each module is designed to stand alone without prerequisites. For the richest experience, we suggest taking a whole cluster at a time. In a writing journal, you will track your progress and moments of unexpected, joyful discovery as you continue your novel. Whether you are looking to publish commercially or simply writing for yourself, our program is designed to nurture your individual writing journey. Our workshops place kindness first, lifting up excellence and encouraging you to tell your story in your own voice. For more information about our model for giving and receiving feedback please check out our Collaborative Feedback model.

Creative Writing: Character & Voice (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Plot & Structure (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Setting & Worldbuilding (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Workshop (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Anatomy of a Scene (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Emotional Stakes (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Discovering Novel Revision (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Workshop (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: The Different Body Problem (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Late-Stage Revisions (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Tree Workshop (Year of the Novel)

Creative Writing: Author Career Thinking and Publishing Paths (Year of the Novel)