Whale Rock Workshops

We’re often told to “write what we know.” But what does that actually mean, and how do you do it? Join award-winning author and VCFA faculty member Evan Griffiths for this 90-minute workshop that explores using our own lives as wells of inspiration for fiction with the goal of forging strong personal connections to our stories. Through generative exercises, we’ll experiment with concrete aspects of our memories (e.g., adapting place-based memories into fictional setting descriptions—a world-building hack!) AND the more abstract aspects (e.g., fictionalizing a moment of intense feeling from childhood in order to imbue a scene with emotional resonance). You’ll come away with techniques you can revisit again and again. 

Evan Griffiths is the award-winning author of multiple books for children including the middle grade novel Manatee Summer and the picture book biography Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist. His books have been selected by School Library Journal, Junior Library Guild recognized as Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year and more. Evan’s publishing journey began at Workman Publishing where he worked as an editor for several years, specializing in non-fiction. He currently serves as faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts and has multiple new books under contract.

This workshop is for you if:

• You're currently drafting an MG or YA novel
• You're revising an MG or YA novel
• You're seeking ways to enhance your craft
• You're looking for ways to add richness and depth to your story