A message from Phillip:

Our focus for the June Retreat will be both instructive and challenging.  As with our prior workshops on characterization, point of view, and mechanics, we will initially focus on one fictional technique—in this case, how the overall organization of the story or essay can help to advance its message.  We’ll review traditional plot structures (chronological, framed, cinematic) in both short forms and novel-length works and then experiment with other possibilities (weaving, narrative leaps, juxtaposition, omission).  In other words, we’ll test the boundries of narrative structure.   As with our other retreats, we intend our exercises to be generative, our critiques to be helpful (and comprehensive, not limited to the retreat’s focus), the camaraderie amiable, and the food delicious.