The Antioch Summer Writing Institute has continued through the week with participants immersing themselves deeper into their chose genres, and faculty and guest speakers sharing their expertise.
Wednesday, July 31, proved relatively light, with the regular morning workshops from 9:00 am to noon, followed by free time until that evening’s presentation. “A Night of Playful Improvisation”—led by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, the Emmy® award-winning husband-and-wife writer/producer team of “Cheers” fame—had SWI participants and special guests dynamically interacting through inventive and often-humorous improvisation exercises designed to spark creativity. Enjoyment was the theme of the night, as everyone involved let loose, laughed uproariously and had a great deal of fun!
Thursday afternoon, a New Genres panel discussion explored “Dynamic New Writing Frontiers” with CalBuzz blogger Jerry Roberts, memoirist, blogger, and SWI faculty Maureen Murdock, playwright and webisode writer Mattie Brickman, YA novelist Jennifer Bosworth, moderated with casual flair by Michael Todd, online editor of Pacific Standard magazine.
After another “Craft and Cocktails” gathering on AUSB’s Rooftop Patio catered by Book Ends Café, author Ann Louise Bardach (Without Fidel: A Death Foretold in Miami, Havana and Washington) discussed the challenges she faced transitioning from writing long magazine pieces to full-length nonfiction books.
