FIU and

Seaside

Institute

Writers'

Workshop

More than ten years ago,
Florida International University
created a conference for writers
that today attracts well-established
authors who bring talent, experience, and no-nonsense advice to emerging and established writers.

The FIU/Seaside Institute Writer's Workshop, held in Seaside, Florida, brings sunshine and talent together the way a Texas super-collider brings together atoms. Anything can happen. Add to the experience by heading to the next town (Grayton Beach), sit at The Red Bar, and soak up native flavors.

Even though this event occurs in October/November, when packing think summer and wear bright royal blue T-shirts with yellow shorts. Stop in at the ice cream shop and ask for a sherbet. Get something to read from SUNDOG bookstore.

Take home a shirt for the relatives that
says, "I'm on Seaside Time" --a statement that becomes a euphemism for so many things in this time-border town.

When sitting in the workshop, bring lots of paper, No. 2 pencils, and while writing, listen to techniques from hands-on authors. Authors who work for a living with words, who give whetted instructions given in casual surroundings.

Take notes on dialogue characteristics: from John Dufresne (contemporary and "colloquial" examples found in his novel Love Warps the Mind a Little).
Or listen well during sessions where Lynne Barrett, author of the Secret Names of Women, equips Seaside workshop students with the secrets of revision.

The workshops, short and worthwhile, allow plenty of time after sessions to explore the somewhat unburdened shoreline of the Florida Panhandle.

Be prepared to stay a week. Because as good as this conference is, spending one day there before the classes begin improves the experience.
Because there is no formal orientation by FIU staff and if you ask anyone in the village of Seaside about where workshops are held, they tend to be unaware that the event even takes place.

Walking around will give you an orientation to each cottage, each lane, and each avenue in which to get charmed and captivated by this unusual community.

Private cottages, weathered cubby-corner homes become the stage for most activities at this workshop. Where participants may stay and share quarters with other conference attendees and where the group workshops (seven to twelve participants) meet for the individual (topic-specific) writing classes. We rate this event Four-Star+ and recommend it; send us a postcard when you arrive. The event includes panel discussions, author readings, and informal gatherings for participants. A >strong>wrap party, often held at Seaside or nearby, is always enjoyable.