WORKSHOP • 6 Sessions • February, April, June • See schedule below 

All writers work with the same basic materials: words. But it’s how they choose and arrange those words that elevate their sentences. They have what I call style: using syntax, rhythm and sound, diction, schemes and tropes, and imagery to write sentences that sing. They have music, an undeniable rhythm that makes these sentences resonate long after the story is finished. They also create meaning that can undercut or support the content of the sentence.  

Over the course of our six sessions together, we’ll explore style through lectures and readings from short stories, essays, and memoirs. As we read, we’ll highlight sentences that showcase style in action. These real-world examples help turn abstract ideas into something you can actually see, hear, and feel. You’ll use them as inspiration for your own writing—both in class and on your own. 

What to Expect Each Workshop

Day 1: Syntax: Style Begins with Order

Friday, February 6, 10:30am-12:30pm PST

Discover how word order creates meaning—and power. Learn to shape sentences that don’t decorate ideas but carry them, using variety, structure, and intentional rearrangement.

Day 2: Advanced Syntax: Building Complex Meaning

Friday, February 13, 10:30am-12:30pm PST

Go deeper into sentence architecture. Master cumulative sentences, branching, balance, and parallelism to control emphasis, momentum, and depth on the page.

Day 3: Rhythm and Sound: Making Sentences Move

Saturday, April 4, 10:30am-12:30pm PST

Learn how sound and stress shape a reader’s physical experience of prose. Create sentences that thump, hiss, lull, or shatter—so your language is felt, not just read.

Day 4: Schemes and Tropes: Playing with Language

Sunday, April 5, 10:30am-12:30pm PST

Break the rules to make meaning. Experiment with rhetorical schemes and figurative language to heighten rhythm, surprise, and resonance in your writing.

Day 5: Diction and Voice: Choosing Words that Matter

Saturday, June 13, 10:30am-12:30pm PST

Explore how word choice shapes voice, character, and authority. Learn to calibrate register, precision, and style to create prose that sounds unmistakably yours.

Day 6: Imagery: Writing That Lingers

Sunday, June 14, 10:30am-12:30pm PST

Harness the emotional power of imagery. Learn how images generate meaning, spark association, and leave lasting impressions that deepen your work.

The Sibyl Writing Craft webinars are held via zoom, allowing you to participate from anywhere.

• You will receive your Zoom link via email one week before the webinar.
• A reminder email will be sent 24 hours prior to the webinar start time.
• We will email any essential course materials, handouts, and recommended resources prior to the start of the webinar.