Experiments in Writing with Alice La Plante and Matthew Clark Davison

Please join us for this writing workshop with Alice La Plante and Matthew Clark Davison, two novelists and experienced writing teachers, who have compiled a multigenre guide with exercises that help writers move from initial impulse to final draft. Many of today’s serious literary writers are moving out of traditional categories of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to experiment with new types of writing that push the boundaries of form and meaning. The goal of this book is to help writers develop an artistic practice that incorporates craft and inspirational techniques from multiple literary genres.

Adopting elements of the scientific method to encourage observation (close reading), experimentation (writing and revising), and replication (using the techniques of others as a model), The Lab teaches writers to access their own creativity and unique voice through ten formal exercises with approximately ninety prompts. Drawing on the work of writers such as William Blake, Louise Erdrich, and Danez Smith, LaPlante and Davison present lessons on plot, character, form, rhythm, and more. This innovative, energizing book is an essential guide for any aspiring writers.

This event will comprise 70 minutes of instruction followed by a book signing.

About the Instructors

Matthew Clark Davison is the author of the novel Doubting Thomas. He teaches creative writing at San Francisco State University and lives in Oakland, California, with his husband.

Alice LaPlante is a novelist, editor, teacher, and the author of the best-selling writing guides The Making of a Story and Write Yourself Out of a Corner, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel Turn of Mind. She lives in Mallorca, Spain.

COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS: We strongly encourage attendees to wear masks at our events, although they will NOT be required. We will have masks available for attendees who want them. Do NOT attend the event if you, or any member of your family, have any respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat), or have had a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

ACCESSIBILITY: We never want cost to be a barrier to admission for our community. Please email events [at] keplers [dot] org if you would like to attend this event but cannot afford a ticket. To request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for this event, please email events [at] keplers [dot] org at least one week prior to the event.

Also check out other Arts events in Menlo Park, Literary Art events in Menlo Park, Workshops in Menlo Park.