Author Visits, Writing Workshops, and Guest Lectures
William F. Burk is an award-winning author who offers engaging creative writing workshops and guest lectures to middle school and high school, homeschool groups, colleges, and libraries to help students develop stronger storytelling skills, compose compelling narratives, and build lasting confidence in their writing. In short, I want to show students that writing is true freedom.
About the Instructor:
- 11 years of writing and publishing experience.
- Author of a collection of genres: novels, manga, poetry, short fiction, essays, and flash fiction.
- Author of award-winning stories and international publications.
- Lectures and workshops given at libraries and nonprofit organizations.
- Experience teaching students of all ages.
What Students Learn:
- Character creation, building a character arc, and how to make a character compelling.
- The "Rule of Five" method, a unique way to outline that I have used to write my novels.
- The essentials of writing the script for a comic book, as well as working with an artist.
- Students will be taught the basics of poetic form, followed by an exercise to challenge what they've learned.
- Students will learn how to find their unique voice and grow comfortable in their style.
- Students will learn information about publishing options and what their options are "now that you're done."
My Workshops:
Writing Fundamentals (Grades 6-12)
Introduction to outlining, creating an original character, as well as how to write an story arc. The class will be focused on preparing young writers to write a short story. Students will be given informational materials to take home as well as an exercise to help them write a short story of their own.
From "I have an idea" to a finished story (College/Adult)
In my experience, the biggest problem aspiring novelist have is not writing the book, but rather simply getting started. In this workshop, students will focus on longer form writing, how to handle a larger cast of characters, and how to avoid burnout when writing something novel-length. The class includes a lecture on outlining at a main plot scale as well as how to create individual character plotlines. This course also includes my tried and true method for beating writer's block. Students will be given a challenge to outline their story idea to the best of their ability, as well as a take-home exercise to use what they've learned to write their first chapter. The class will conclude with a brief introduction to publishing options.
Writing Manga and Comic Books
Manga (Japanese graphic novels) and comic books require a unique set of skills from a writer. In this workshop, students will learn about the key components of this medium, including handling panels on a page, scriptwriting conventions and how they differ from traditional prose, as well as how to work with and effectively communicate their ideas to an artist. Students will be tasked with writing the script for the first scene of their graphic novel. If students are artists themselves, they will be tasked to draw their main character as well as script their first page.
Poetry Fundamentals and Expression
In this workshop, students will be taught the basics of poetic terminology, the components of a poem, the different forms of rhyme as well as free verse, and meter. This workshop consists of two in-person exercises (students will be tasked with a Shakespearean sonnet and a more abstract form that I have created as a fun challenge) and one take home exercise (a villanelle). The class will also focus on the importance of emotional expression in poetry and how poetry can be used therapeutically.
Who I Work With:
- Colleges and universities
- High schools
- Middle schools
- Homeschool co-ops
- Libraries
- Writing conventions
- Author events
- Book stores
- Writer panels
- Youth programs
- Nonprofits
- Ministries
- Rehabilitation centers
- Correctional facilities
Format Options:
- Guest lectures
- Full courses
- Interactive workshops
- Q&A sessions
- Readings and signings
- Panels
- Zoom meetings
Sample Guest Lecture:
The following is a writing lecture given at the Calhoun-Gordon County Library in March of 2025.
Testimonials:
Booking Information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Response time: 1-2 days.
- Travel area: In-person Georgia and surrounding states, worldwide virtually.
- Honorarium and scheduling details available upon request.