{"product_id":"improv-techniques-fiction-writing-workshop-online","title":"Blank Page, Empty Stage: Using Improvisation Techniques to Make Your Writing Stronger — a Live Fiction Seminar with Sage Tyrtle on Sunday, November 1st, 2026","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eBegins Sunday, November 1, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eLive One-Day Seminar via Zoom from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass Times by Time Zone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Los Angeles (PST): 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM \/ Chicago (CST): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM \/ New York (EST): 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eNow Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor Bio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eInstructor Sage Tyrtle writes stories unsettling enough for \u003cem\u003eThe Offing\u003c\/em\u003e, yet NPR let them on air. Included in \u003cem\u003eBest Microfiction, Moth GrandSLAM \u003c\/em\u003ewinner, and \u003cem\u003ePushcart\u003c\/em\u003e nominee, they've taught 150+ workshops for \u003cem\u003eSmokelong Quarterly\u003c\/em\u003e and Clarion West, among others. Their work lives at the intersection of literary craft and, \"Wait, did they just say that?\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThis online writing class is for fiction writers who want to borrow the tools of stage improvisation to strengthen their scenes, dialogue, and tension. It's open to all levels — whether you're just starting out or looking to shake loose a stalled draft, you're welcome here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eWhen two improvisers walk out on stage, there's no set. Just two chairs and two human beings, creating a whole world out of nothing but their minds. As Sage puts it, that's exactly what you do at the blank page — the only difference is the medium. In this two-hour fiction writing seminar, you'll learn to apply the same techniques improvisers use to build scenes that feel genuine, specific, and charged with lyrical energy, moving past generic settings and flat exchanges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eDrawing on sixteen years of performing and teaching improv theatre, Sage will guide you through several classic improv formats and show how each one unlocks something on the page. You'll use \"Armando\" to generate fresh, unexpected story ideas, explore \"Harold\" and \"La Ronde\" for structure and character interaction, and examine the craft of \"heightening\" to build positive tension across a scene and a story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eYou'll write throughout the session, and Sage will offer gentle, constructive feedback on the pieces you generate live — the kind of encouraging, hands-on response that helps a creative writing workshop feel like a room full of collaborators rather than critics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eIn this course, students will generate new fiction in real time using improv-based prompts and receive gentle, constructive verbal feedback on the work they produce during the session. You'll leave with a working understanding of how to heighten tension over the arc of a scene and a story, tools for finding fictional stories inside real events, a broader sense of conflict beyond character-to-character sniping, and a set of new, unusual story formats to keep playing with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eHour 1: Dialogue That Matters to the Reader; Finding Your Story Idea with \"Armando\"; Specificity Counts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eHour 2: Don't Solve the Problem; Cooperation vs. Conflict; the \"Harold\" Format; the \"La Ronde\" Format\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA strong sense of how to heighten tension over the course of a scene and a story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTools that help you find fictional stories inside real events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAn understanding of conflict that exists outside of character-to-character sniping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eNew, unique story formats to play with\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This was a great class. The pace and structure were excellent. Not too much info, while providing some really solid concepts that I had never heard before.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"One of the best classes I have taken. Clear, usable craft principles. What did I find most valuable? The need for an element of risk -- interior or exterior -- which is important for story impact.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This class exceeded my expectations. A story worth telling includes risk \u0026amp; emotional extremes but needs balance between positive \u0026amp; negative emotions. Sage got these points across magnificently. Highly recommend.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Sage is so welcoming and so gentle in her teaching. A lovely experience.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Loved it!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This class exceeded my expectations! Sage was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful and provided meaningful feedback.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A lovely atmosphere and a great mix of learning from examples and prompt work. Thanks!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It was the perfect, chill way to close out the weekend, and I left with workable drafts and many ideas.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I loved the number and quality of the in-class prompts.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The instructor was lovely, encouraging, ehtusiastic and the information well-chosen, and I appreciated her suggestions for exercises.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“When Sage Tyrtle talks, people don’t just listen. They hang on her every word.” – \u003cem\u003eToronto Star\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“As each of us feels more comfortable, we share intimate moments from our lives. It’s different from the stand-up I tried, because, ultimately, success isn’t dependent on making people laugh.” – \u003cem\u003eNow Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Thank you for giving us a night to remember. You are a true professional, gifted and talented. Thank you for inspiring us, making us think differently and pushing us to be better communicators. The feedback from all the participants was so positive.” – Wendy Kauffman, Vice President, Brown \u0026amp; Cohen Communications and Public Affairs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We have received really great feedback, some people saying that this is the best session we have had at our KE retreats, so thank you so much for your engaging presentation!” – Rebecca Phillips Konigs, CAMH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstructor: Sage Tyrtle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBegins Sunday, November 1, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClass will meet once via Zoom on Sunday, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTuition is $99 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49983939019000,"sku":null,"price":87.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/SageTyrtleHeadshot_2159cf10-ab19-4624-89bd-d1d9e9e39715.png?v=1771095059","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-at\/products\/improv-techniques-fiction-writing-workshop-online","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}