{"title":"Master Classes Taught by National Book Award Finalist Karen E. Bender","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese are classes taught by Karen E. Bender, author of two collections; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"1-day-online-fiction-master-class-exploring-strategies-for-story-beginnings-with-karen-bender","title":"Exploring Strategies for Story Beginnings with Karen E. Bender 1-Day Fiction Master Class (Zoom) on Saturday, September 19th, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\" data-block-type=\"2\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom Saturday, September 19th, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClass will meet 12PM - 5:00PM EST\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003eClass Times by Time Zone:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e Los Angeles (PDT): 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM \/ Chicago (CDT): 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM \/ New York (EDT): 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM \/ London (BST): 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM \/ Berlin (CEST): 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of two collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize, and \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize. A new collection is forthcoming. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIn this day-long generative workshop for writers of all levels, we'll read openings to stories by authors including Raymond Carver, Jamaica Kincaid, Miranda July, Jhumpa Lahiri, and more. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’ll work to identify different types of openings in an effort to understand how writers create urgency that carries the reader through a short story or a longer work of fiction. Using carefully constructed writing exercises, we’ll practice these different types of openings in class, with the hopes of honing our ability to write effective beginnings that precisely suit the stories we want to tell. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWriters will leave with several new story starts to use as launchpads for future writing, as well as the ability to think more strategically about how the beginnings they may have already written are serving their work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e The week of the seminar, Karen will email several PDFs of the stories we'll be discussing--you don't need to read these before the class, but can if you would like.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstand how beginnings affect the pacing of stories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeveral new story beginnings to use as the inspiration for future drafts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThink strategically about past drafts and learn how to make your previous beginnings more dynamic \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll be going over the different types of story openings in class, and then writing generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. They will leave the class with a variety of story openings, and an understanding of a variety of techniques a writer can use to open a story.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThis seminar exceeded my expectations. I loved going through the different types of story openings that exist and then seeing clear-cut examples of each from the materials that were shared in class. Karen is a fantastic facilitator!\u003c\/em\u003e\" -Alexandra Y.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eClass was excellent and exceeded my expectations. I found Karen's approach of writing an opening that set up two questions extremely valuable. Five of five stars\u003c\/em\u003e.\" -Diane K.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eI though Karen gave great input on our exercises. I would highly recommend this seminar! I learned so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The best part about the Exploring Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar with Karen E. Bender were her insights, warmth, generosity, intelligence and the categories for types of story beginnings she presented to us. Karen is a wonderful instructor, and I've taken all of her seminars.\" -former student\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThe close reading of the texts was extremely valuable. Karen is a great teacher, and I though this was a great seminar on strategies for story beginnings.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I found Karen's teaching so valuable. She dives right in and I love her style. I signed up for her other seminars after I took this one. Thank you!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"In her seminars, Karen always offer such specific techniques, which has helped me deepen my understanding of craft and benefited my writing practice. Thank you!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen's class taught me invaluable writing techniques that I missed because I have a JD instead of an MFA. This was so great! Thank you, Karen!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I loved the structure of understanding various story openings and emphasis on goals for first paragraphs. This class definitely exceeded my expectations.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It was great. I was working on a rewrite, came to the realization that I needed more interiority, saw this class, jumped on it, and I've already used some of the techniques. The concepts and ideas that were coupled with good, well-paced exercises.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This class helps all levels of writers get better access to the all-important matter of characters. Highly recommend.\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"What a fantastic person! I liked her style, her content, and her drive for us to get the most out of 2 hours. Karen really pointed out a fantastic technique and her enthusiasm is infectious. I just wanted more time with her!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Exceeded expectations. Lots of content, practice, plus interaction packed into Zoom.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen E. Bender's Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar exceeded my expectations! Karen is an excellent teacher: she is patient, explains all her materials well and provides valuable examples and feedback. I really enjoy how Karen runs her courses. This is the second of hers I've taken, and I plan to take more. In fact, I recommended Karen's classes enough after the first one I took that a friend joined me for this one. Thank you again!\" -former student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom on Saturday, September 13th, 2025. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $150 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"default\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom on Saturday, September 19th, 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12PM - 5PM EST\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTuition is $150 USD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"block-51a8238b2f73df2e52ed\" data-block-type=\"2\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43679146344696,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"building-a-characters-interiority-through-memory-a-zoom-seminar-with-karen-e-bender","title":"Building Interiority in Characters: Writing Memory with Karen E. Bender, a Zoom Seminar on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" data-block-type=\"2\" id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom Tuesday, October 13th, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9:00PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of two collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize, and \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize. Her newest collection is \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L \u0026amp; Other Stories\u003c\/em\u003e (May 2025). Karen's novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eBuilding a character’s interiority consists of many elements, including a character’s memory. How do you use a character’s memories to help build their interior world? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this generative seminar, we will look at stories by Tillie Olsen, Tobias Wolff, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Anthony Veasna So to see how they incorporate character’s processing of the past into their stories, building a character’s interiority through what they choose to remember of the past, and how memories connect to action. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe will spend the first hour discussing the stories and the second-hour doing writing exercises.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThrough close reading of stories, learn different ways that writers use memories as a way to access the interior worlds of their characters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn how memory connects with action in stories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevelop a character through memory via writing prompts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn one element of interiority as a way to develop characters.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll review the different ways authors use memory to build interiority in a story and then write generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. Students will leave the class with various techniques they can use to convey interiority through character memory.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThis seminar exceeded my expectations. I loved going through the different types of story openings that exist and then seeing clear-cut examples of each from the materials that were shared in class. Karen is a fantastic facilitator!\u003c\/em\u003e\" -Alexandra Y.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eClass was excellent and exceeded my expectations. I found Karen's approach of writing an opening that set up two questions extremely valuable. Five of five stars\u003c\/em\u003e.\" -Diane K.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eI though Karen gave great input on our exercises. I would highly recommend this seminar! I learned so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThe close reading of the texts was extremely valuable. Karen is a great teacher, and I though this was a great seminar on strategies for story beginnings.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I found Karen's teaching so valuable. She dives right in and I love her style. I signed up for her other seminars after I took this one. Thank you!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"In her seminars, Karen always offer such specific techniques, which has helped me deepen my understanding of craft and benefited my writing practice. Thank you!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen's class taught me invaluable writing techniques that I missed because I have a JD instead of an MFA. This was so great! Thank you, Karen!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I loved the structure of understanding various story openings and emphasis on goals for first paragraphs. This class definitely exceeded my expectations.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It was great. I was working on a rewrite, came to the realization that I needed more interiority, saw this class, jumped on it, and I've already used some of the techniques. The concepts and ideas that were coupled with good, well-paced exercises.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This class helps all levels of writers get better access to the all-important matter of characters. Highly recommend.\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eI signed up for Karen E. Bender's Writing Memory seminar and I loved the class. She had a great presentation and got into the topic right away. No wasted time. A very thorough class that will help me build my character's interiority\u003c\/em\u003e.\" -former student.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"What a fantastic person! I liked her style, her content, and her drive for us to get the most out of 2 hours. Karen really pointed out a fantastic technique and her enthusiasm is infectious. I just wanted more time with her!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Exceeded expectations. Lots of content, practice, plus interaction packed into Zoom.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eYou can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul data-rte-list=\"default\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7PM - 9PM EST\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact us \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e if you have any questions about this seminar.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" data-block-type=\"2\" id=\"block-51a8238b2f73df2e52ed\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43717537497336,"sku":"","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"building-interiority-in-characters-with-fantasies-and-theories-with-karen-e-bender","title":"Building Interiority in Characters Using Fantasies and Theories with Karen E. Bender, a Zoom Seminar on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom Tuesday, October 20th, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9:00PM Eastern\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize; \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize; and \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eBuilding a character’s interiority consists of many elements, one of which is a character's fantasies, theories and plans. How do you use a character’s unique fantasies and theories of the world to help build their interior world? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this seminar, we will look at stories by Charles D'Ambrosio, Mavis Gallant, Sandra Cisneros and Roberto Bolano to see how they incorporate character’s fantasies and theories into a narrative, building a character’s interiority through the techniques. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe will spend the first hour discussing the stories and the second hour doing writing exercises. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThrough close reading of stories, learn different ways that writers use fantasies and theories as a way to access the interior worlds of their characters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevelop a character through fantasies and theories via writing prompts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn one element of interiority as a way to develop characters.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll review the different ways authors use fantasies and theories to build interiority in a story and then write generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. Students will leave the class with various techniques they can use to convey interiority through these new craft techniques.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom Tuesday, October 20th, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7PM - 9PM EST\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact us \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Contact\" href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/pages\/contact\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e if you have any questions about this seminar.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"block-51a8238b2f73df2e52ed\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43762433622264,"sku":"","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"building-interiority-in-characters-perceptions-judgment-envy-and-love-with-karen-e-bender","title":"Building Interiority in Characters with Perceptions: Judgment, Envy and Love with Karen E. Bender, a Zoom Seminar on Wednesday, January 20th, 2027","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom, Wednesday, January 20th, 2027\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9:00PM Eastern\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA recording will be provided if you cannot attend live. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize; \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize; and \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eBuilding a character’s interiority consists of many elements. Characters are full of many thoughts and perceptions about other characters. How does a character judge another? Envy another person? Admire another person? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eExamining the ways writers show how characters react to one another helps create a sense of their interior worlds.  In this seminar, we will look at stories by Mavis Gallant, John Cheever, Deborah Eisenberg, Raymond Carver, Eve Babitz and ZZ Packer to see how they incorporate character’s use of judgments, envy, admiration,  creating a complex and living consciousness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe will spend the first hour discussing the stories and the second hour doing writing exercises.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThrough close reading of stories, learn different ways that writers use judgment, envy and admiration as a way to access the interior worlds of their characters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn how judgment, envy, and admiration connect with action in stories.                \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevelop a character through these perceptions via writing prompts.                \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn one element of interiority as a way to develop characters.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll review the different ways authors use perceptions to build interiority in a story and then write generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. Students will leave the class with various techniques they can use to convey interiority through character perceptions.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full \u003ci\u003e or\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWednesday, January 20th, 2027\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9:00PM EST\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTuition is $99 USD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43833963380984,"sku":"","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"deep-dive-into-dialogue-a-master-class-on-the-art-of-what-people-say-with-karen-e-bender","title":"Deep Dive Into Dialogue: A Master Class on the Art of What People Say with Karen E. Bender (Zoom) on Saturday, December 5th, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom, Saturday, December 5th, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClass will meet 12PM - 5PM Eastern\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003eClass Times by Time Zone: \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLos Angeles (PST): 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM \/ Chicago (CST): 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM \/ New York (EST): 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM \/ London (GMT): 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM \/ Berlin (CET): 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize; \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize; and \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eDialogue is what people say—but how do you use this technique as a writer? In this class, we’ll do a detailed look into how dialogue reveals character, and how to give your dialogue more urgency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe’ll look at dialogue and emotion, how to combine dialogue and gesture, rants, situation and dialogue. We’ll examine stories by John Cheever, Ernest Hemingway, JD Salinger, Edward P. Jones, Rebecca Lee, Roz Chast, ZZ Packer. Then we’ll do some exercises, practicing dialogue in a variety of contexts. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e The week of the seminar, Karen will email several PDFs of the stories we'll be discussing--you don't need to read these before the class, but can if you would like.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThrough close reading of stories, learn different strategies for using dialogue in stories                \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn ways to make dialogue more emotional and urgent                \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractice these strategies through a variety of writing prompts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll be going over the different examples of dialogue in class and then writing generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. They will leave the class with a variety of new techniques to make their dialogue ring true on the page.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $150 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom on Saturday, December 5th, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12PM - 5PM EST\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44004631707896,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"exploring-first-person-point-of-view-with-karen-e-bender","title":"Exploring First Person Point of View with Karen E. Bender 1-Day Fiction Master Class (Zoom) on Saturday, February 13th, 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom, Saturday, February 13th, 2027\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClass will meet 12PM - 4:00PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003eClass Times by Time Zone: \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLos Angeles (PST): 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM \/ Chicago (CST): 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM \/ New York (EST): 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM \/ London (GMT): 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM \/ Berlin (CET): 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA recording will be provided if you cannot attend live.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story Prize; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which was longlisted for the Story Prize; and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e,  published in May 2025. Her novels are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eFirst person point of view brings us into a character's perspective in a way that no other point of view can. It's a direct portal to a character's thoughts and feelings, and the most effective first person point of view creates a deep connection with the reader. First person point of view can also be flexible--there are different ways to approach it and use it.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIn this 4-hour seminar, we will look at different strategies for using first person perspectives. We will read stories and excerpts by James Joyce, Jamaica Kincaid, JD Salinger, Miranda July and Mavis Gallant, and practice different ways of writing in the first person.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWriters will leave with several exercises to use as launchpads for future writing, as well as the ability to think more strategically about how to use first person perspective in their work.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: \u003c\/strong\u003eThe week of the seminar, Karen will email several PDFs of the stories we'll be discussing--you don't need to read these before the class, but can if you would like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstand how first person point of view can help you create a character    \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeveral exercises to use as the inspiration for future drafts.    \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThink strategically about past drafts and learn how to make your character's point of view more dynamic \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll be going over the different types of story openings in class, and then writing generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. They will leave the class with a variety of story openings, and an understanding of a variety of techniques a writer can use to open a story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThis seminar exceeded my expectations. I loved going through the different types of story openings that exist and then seeing clear-cut examples of each from the materials that were shared in class. Karen is a fantastic facilitator!\u003c\/em\u003e\" -Alexandra Y.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eClass was excellent and exceeded my expectations. I found Karen's approach of writing an opening that set up two questions extremely valuable. Five of five stars\u003c\/em\u003e.\" -Diane K.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eI though Karen gave great input on our exercises. I would highly recommend this seminar! I learned so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The best part about the Exploring Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar with Karen E. Bender were her insights, warmth, generosity, intelligence and the categories for types of story beginnings she presented to us. Karen is a wonderful instructor, and I've taken all of her seminars.\" -former student\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThe close reading of the texts was extremely valuable. Karen is a great teacher, and I though this was a great seminar on strategies for story beginnings.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I found Karen's teaching so valuable. She dives right in and I love her style. I signed up for her other seminars after I took this one. Thank you!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"In her seminars, Karen always offer such specific techniques, which has helped me deepen my understanding of craft and benefited my writing practice. Thank you!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen's class taught me invaluable writing techniques that I missed because I have a JD instead of an MFA. This was so great! Thank you, Karen!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I loved the structure of understanding various story openings and emphasis on goals for first paragraphs. This class definitely exceeded my expectations.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It was great. I was working on a rewrite, came to the realization that I needed more interiority, saw this class, jumped on it, and I've already used some of the techniques. The concepts and ideas that were coupled with good, well-paced exercises.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This class helps all levels of writers get better access to the all-important matter of characters. Highly recommend.\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"What a fantastic person! I liked her style, her content, and her drive for us to get the most out of 2 hours. Karen really pointed out a fantastic technique and her enthusiasm is infectious. I just wanted more time with her!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Exceeded expectations. Lots of content, practice, plus interaction packed into Zoom.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen E. Bender's Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar exceeded my expectations! Karen is an excellent teacher: she is patient, explains all her materials well and provides valuable examples and feedback. I really enjoy how Karen runs her courses. This is the second of hers I've taken, and I plan to take more. In fact, I recommended Karen's classes enough after the first one I took that a friend joined me for this one. Thank you again!\" -former student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $150 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive seminar via Zoom on Saturday, February 13th, 2027\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12PM - 4PM EST\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuition is $150 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45608745402616,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"the-octopus-moment-how-to-create-a-story-with-reach-led-by-karen-e-bender","title":"The Octopus Moment: How to Create a Story with Reach led by Karen E. Bender, a Zoom Seminar on Tuesday, April 13th, 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom Tuesday, April 13th, 2027\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eA recording will be provided if you cannot attend live. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story Prize; \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story Prize; and \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eHow do you create a story that feels like it exists outside of the story's borders? The feeling of expansiveness in a story is a function of plot and time and perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe will read stories by writers including Jhumpa Lahiri, Raymond Carver, Yoko Ogawa, John Cheever and Denis Johnson, looking at ways they create Octopus Moments in their work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe will spend the first 45 minutes reading and discussing stories and the rest of the class will be devoted to in-class writing in which you can practice creating these moments in your own work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eYou'll leave class with a better understanding of ways to filter time and perspective into a story. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaster “Octopus Moments” in Your Own Writing: Learn concrete techniques for injecting a sense of expansiveness into your stories by strategically harnessing plot, time, and perspective.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRefine Your Analytical Eye: Deepen your ability to spot the subtle narrative moves in short fiction by authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri, Raymond Carver, Yoko Ogawa, John Cheever, and Denis Johnson, and adapt those moves to your own storytelling.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevelop Multi-Layered Narratives: Gain tools to build stories that resonate beyond their borders, using specific craft strategies that help your fiction feel larger, richer, and more impactful.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTake Home New Writing Habits: Through in-class writing exercises and guided critiques, leave with fresh approaches, prompts, and techniques you can immediately integrate into your creative process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll review the different ways authors use octopus moments to build interiority in a story and then write generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. Students will leave the class with various techniques they can use to convey interiority through these new craft techniques.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom on Tuesday, April 13th, 2027\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7PM - 9PM Eastern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuition is $99 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-51a8238b2f73df2e52ed\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46070405923064,"sku":"","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"show-and-tell-using-summary-in-a-narrative-led-by-karen-e-bender","title":"Show and Tell: Mastering the Art of Summary in Narrative with Karen E. Bender, a Zoom Seminar on Tuesday, December 1st, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom Tuesday, December 1st, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9:00PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize; \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize; and \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eYou hear it often in a workshop--show, don't tell! Effective narratives use both showing (using scene) and summary (telling, using exposition) to tell a story. In this class, we will go over ways that writers use summary in a story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe will spend the first 45 minutes going over stories that use summary, showing how writers embed them in a story, how much to summarize, how to create active summary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eThe next hour we will do generative exercises trying out different ways of using summary and exposition for fiction or memoir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe wlll be examining works by writers including Tillie Olsen, Jamaica Kincaid, Pam Durban, Jhumpa Lahiri, Cynthia Ozick, Tobias Wolff, and Colin Barrett.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eGet ready to create some effective, vivid summary for your work. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eYou'll leave class with a better understanding of summary into your stories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaster the Balance Between Scene and Summary: \u003c\/strong\u003eLearn how to effectively combine \"showing\" (scene) and \"telling\" (summary) techniques to create dynamic, well-paced narratives in both fiction and memoir.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalyze Summary Techniques from Master Writers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Study examples from acclaimed authors including Tillie Olsen, Jamaica Kincaid, Jhumpa Lahiri, and others to understand various approaches to crafting powerful exposition.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDevelop Active Summary Skills: \u003c\/strong\u003ePractice creating vivid, engaging summary that moves your narrative forward rather than stalling it, with specific techniques for making exposition as compelling as scene work.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApply New Summary Strategies to Your Writing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete hands-on exercises designed to help you integrate different types of summary into your own fiction or memoir projects, leaving with practical tools to enhance your storytelling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll review the different ways authors use summary to build stories and then write generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. Students will leave the class with various techniques they can use to convey summary through these new craft techniques.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuesday, December 1st, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive on Zoom from 7PM - 9PM EST\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact us \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e if you have any questions about this seminar.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-51a8238b2f73df2e52ed\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46356777107704,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"show-and-tell-mastering-the-art-of-scene-in-narrative-with-karen-e-bender","title":"Show and Tell: Mastering the Art of Scene in Narrative with Karen E. Bender, a Zoom Seminar on Tuesday, November 17th, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom Tuesday, November 17th, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe class will meet 7PM - 9:00PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story Prize; \u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story Prize; and \u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003eGet to know Karen in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/meet-the-teaching-artist-building-interiority-with-karen-e-bender\" title=\"Meet the Teaching Artist with Karen E. Bender\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eYou hear it often in a workshop--show, don't tell! Effective narratives use both showing (using scene) and summary (telling, using exposition) to tell a story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIn this class, we will go over ways that writers use scene in a story. We will spend the first 45 minutes going over stories that use scene effectively, showing how writers use dialogue, gesture, and thought in a scene, how to create a scenic moment, and how summary and scene work together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eThe next hour we will do generative exercises trying out different ways of using summary and exposition for fiction or memoir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWe will be examining works by writers including Ernest Hemingway, JD Salinger, Edward P. Jones, Octavia Butler, Raymond Carver, and Shirley Jackson. Get ready to create some effective, vivid scenes for your work. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eYou'll leave class with a better understanding of how to construct scenes in your stories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaster the Balance Between Scene and Summary: \u003c\/strong\u003eLearn how to strategically use both scenic elements (showing) and exposition (telling) to create compelling narratives that engage readers and advance your story.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDevelop Essential Scene-Building Techniques: \u003c\/strong\u003eAcquire practical skills for crafting effective scenes through dialogue, gesture, and thought, with guidance from award-winning author Karen E. Bender and examples from masters like Hemingway, Butler, and Jackson.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApply Scene-Crafting Methods to Your Work: \u003c\/strong\u003eThrough guided generative exercises, practice different approaches to scene construction that you can immediately implement in your fiction or memoir writing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalyze Scene Construction in Literary Works: \u003c\/strong\u003eGain insights by examining how acclaimed authors construct memorable scenes, helping you develop a critical eye that will enhance your own writing process and revision skills.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll review the different ways authors use scenes to build stories and then write generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. Students will leave the class with various techniques to convey scenes through these new craft techniques.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom on Tuesday, November 17th, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7PM - 9PM EST\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCan't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact us \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e if you have any questions about this seminar.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\" id=\"block-51a8238b2f73df2e52ed\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46356809974008,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"},{"product_id":"creating-difficult-characters-with-karen-e-bender-1-day-fiction-master-class","title":"Creating Difficult Characters with Karen E. Bender 1-Day Fiction Master Class (Zoom) on Saturday, March 6th, 2027","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"block-0c22edf6c5f4ee9d89a4\" class=\"sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom, Saturday, March 6th, 2027\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClass will meet 12PM - 4:00PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass Times by Time Zone: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eLos Angeles (PST): 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM \/ Chicago (CST): 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM \/ New York (EST): 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM \/ London (GMT): 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM \/ Berlin (CET): 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaught by Karen E. Bender, author of three collections: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRefund\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe New Order\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which was Longlisted for the Story prize; and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Words of Dr. L\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e,  published in May, 2025. Her novels are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLike Normal People\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Town of Empty Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Her fiction has appeared in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and others, have been reprinted in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBest American Short Stories\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBest American Mystery\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e stories and won three Pushcart prizes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do you create difficult characters--or, ones that you can't stop reading about? In this course, we will examine a few different types of difficult or \"unlikeable\" characters.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe will read some examples of great and mesmerizing difficult characters in literature, reading work by writers including Lorrie Moore, Elena Ferrante, John Cheever, Edward P. Jones, Jhimpa Lahiri and Gish Jen, and see how writers create them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe will see how writers use juxtaposition and layering to make them rounded. We will have time for generative work so that you can work on developing your own difficult characters. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote\u003c\/strong\u003e: The week of the seminar, Karen will email several PDFs of stories to read; you can read these before class, but you don't have to. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan't Make It Live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstand the techniques writers use create difficult characters\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeveral character sketches that you can incorporate into current or future drafts\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThink strategically about past drafts and how to deepen your characters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE EXPECTATIONS: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe will be going over the different types of difficult characters in class and then writing generative exercises to practice exploring these characters. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they like. They will leave class with a variety of memorable characters and ideas on how to develop them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThis seminar exceeded my expectations. I loved going through the different types of story openings that exist and then seeing clear-cut examples of each from the materials that were shared in class. Karen is a fantastic facilitator!\u003c\/em\u003e\" -Alexandra Y.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eClass was excellent and exceeded my expectations. I found Karen's approach of writing an opening that set up two questions extremely valuable. Five of five stars\u003c\/em\u003e.\" -Diane K.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eI though Karen gave great input on our exercises. I would highly recommend this seminar! I learned so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The best part about the Exploring Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar with Karen E. Bender were her insights, warmth, generosity, intelligence and the categories for types of story beginnings she presented to us. Karen is a wonderful instructor, and I've taken all of her seminars.\" -former student\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eThe close reading of the texts was extremely valuable. Karen is a great teacher, and I though this was a great seminar on strategies for story beginnings.\u003c\/em\u003e\" -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I found Karen's teaching so valuable. She dives right in and I love her style. I signed up for her other seminars after I took this one. Thank you!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"In her seminars, Karen always offer such specific techniques, which has helped me deepen my understanding of craft and benefited my writing practice. Thank you!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen's class taught me invaluable writing techniques that I missed because I have a JD instead of an MFA. This was so great! Thank you, Karen!\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I loved the structure of understanding various story openings and emphasis on goals for first paragraphs. This class definitely exceeded my expectations.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It was great. I was working on a rewrite, came to the realization that I needed more interiority, saw this class, jumped on it, and I've already used some of the techniques. The concepts and ideas that were coupled with good, well-paced exercises.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This class helps all levels of writers get better access to the all-important matter of characters. Highly recommend.\"\u003c\/em\u003e -former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"What a fantastic person! I liked her style, her content, and her drive for us to get the most out of 2 hours. Karen really pointed out a fantastic technique and her enthusiasm is infectious. I just wanted more time with her!\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Exceeded expectations. Lots of content, practice, plus interaction packed into Zoom.\" \u003c\/em\u003e-former student\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Karen E. Bender's Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar exceeded my expectations! Karen is an excellent teacher: she is patient, explains all her materials well and provides valuable examples and feedback. I really enjoy how Karen runs her courses. This is the second of hers I've taken, and I plan to take more. In fact, I recommended Karen's classes enough after the first one I took that a friend joined me for this one. Thank you again!\" -former student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTuition is $150. You can pay for the course in full\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. These options are available at checkout.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Karen E. Bender\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom on Saturday, March 6th, 2027\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12PM - 4PM EST\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive Seminar Via Zoom. Can't Make It Live? No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuition is $150.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46727259488504,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1736023512"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/collections\/Karen_Bender_Headshot_0f28a25c-9ca9-451d-9526-202ab68f3154.png?v=1788715705","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-il\/collections\/master-classes-taught-by-national-book-award-finalist-karen-e-bender.oembed","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}