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Writing Workshops

Since 1986 I've given many writing workshops, mostly in elementary and high schools. I served as a writer-in-residence (two and three weeks full-time) during the early 90's for Eastend School and Fox Valley School Division. Much more recently I had a wonderful experience doing a three-week residency at St. Michael School here in Saskatoon (Fall, 2005). Because of the time it takes away from my family, I'm unable to do school residencies on a regular basis.

I've given numerous workshops for adults who are writing at an "emerging" level and am interested in doing more of these with writing groups. Funding is available through the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. I'm happy to give feedback on short stories, songs, or poems, and enjoy talking about the creative process in more general terms. (See the Creative Life section.)

Please contact me directly about writing workshops.

The Saskatchewan Writers Guild is sponsoring the following event for Saskatoon and area writers:

Hearing Voices:
practical ways to nail them down
with Brenda Baker

Saturday, November 3, 2007, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
St. James Church (next to the Refinery)
$45 for SWG members, $55 for non-members
Go to www.skwriter.com for more details

Whether you are writing in first, second or third person, the narrator's perspective must be authentic, consistent, and serve the story well. This workshop will explore the role of the voice in effective writing by helping you to:

  • hear and describe voices in various texts
  • identify inconsistent voices
  • learn to move between voices

Brenda Baker will share some techniques she uses to find interesting voices and then nail them down on the page. Drawing on her background as a singer and actor, she will give participants practical ideas for maintaining consistency of voice and for evaluating the appropriate tone of voice for the story that needs to be told. She will also pass on what she has learned from other writers regarding "the proximity of the camera" and how its placement affects voice.

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