Kim Cross is a New York Times best-selling author, journalist, and historian known for cinematic scenes, page-turning narratives, and character-driven stories that guide readers through some complex, nuanced issue. Her first book, What Stands in a Storm, was one of Amazon’s Best Books of 2015 and a finalist in the GoodReads Choice Awards. Her most recent book, In Light of All Darkness, was an Edgar Award finalist and winner of the Truman Capote Prize for Distinguished Work of Non-Fiction. Cross teaches feature writing for Harvard Extension School’s graduate program in journalism, the Larry McMurtry Literary Center in Archer City, Texas, and the Sawtooth Writing Retreat in Idaho. Find her at kimhcross.com, @kimhcross, or writing at Oldspeak in Garden City.
Though attendees are encouraged to attend the entire series, there’s value to attending any of the workshops as single events. No registration is required, but space is limited. The workshops are geared toward writers of all levels and genres. As mature content may be discussed, parental discretion is advised for participants under 18. Please bring writing materials, such as a notebook and pen. The schedule is as follows:
Gathering Thread and Finding Stories: October 25, 12-2 p.m., Library! at Collister, 4724 W State St.
Writing Cinematic Scenes: November 13, 6-7:30 p.m., Erma Hayman House, 617 Ash. St.
Bringing Characters to Life: December 4, 6-7:30 p.m., Library! at Bown Crossing, 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr.
Dialogue: January 24, 12-2 p.m., Library! at Hillcrest, 5246 W. Overland Rd.
Story Structure: February 28, 12-2 p.m., Library! at Cole and Ustick, 7557 W. Ustick Rd.
Pitching and Getting Published: March 12, 6-7:30 p.m., Library! at Hillcrest, 5246 W. Overland Rd.
Gathering Thread and Finding Stories: A Writing Workshop with Boise City Writer-in-Residence Kim Cross
Gathering Thread and Finding Stories is an interactive writing workshop designed to help writers sharpen their eye and ear for the raw materials of storytelling.
Guided by Kim, participants will be introduced to the literary tradition of keeping a Commonplace Book and the concept of an EDC (Every Day Carry) writer’s notebook. Through practice and discussion, participants will learn how to collect and organize ideas, writing fragments, and overheard moments that can later become building blocks for scenes, stories, or poems.
Writing Cinematic Scenes: A Writing Workshop with Boise City Writer-in-Residence Kim Cross
Writing Cinematic Scenes is an interactive writing workshop focused on bringing stories to life on the page as vividly as they appear in the mind.
Guided by Kim, participants will learn how to use the “Ladder of Abstraction” to select dynamic verbs and concrete, specific nouns to create dynamic scenes that play out in the reader’s mind like a movie. Participants will practice crafting cinematic moments that immerse and engage, whether in fiction or literary nonfiction. Returning workshop attendees will be invited to develop a scene using some of the “thread” they gathered, while new participants may choose to write from memoir or imagined material.
Bringing Characters to Life: A Writing Workshop with Boise City Writer-in-Residence Kim Cross
Bringing Characters to Life is an interactive writing workshop centered on the art of developing memorable, multidimensional characters.
Guided by Kim, participants will practice writing a character sketch of someone they know, using prompts to “show, not tell” through dialogue, actions, and interactions with others. Participants will also explore how environments, such as homes, workplaces, or other “natural habitats,” shape and reveal character.
Dialogue: A Writing Workshop with Boise City Writer-in-Residence Kim Cross
Dialogue is an interactive writing workshop exploring how lifelike conversation can bring scenes to life in both fiction and literary nonfiction.
Guided by Kim, participants will practice tuning in for authentic dialogue and learn how to weave it seamlessly into a scene alongside stage direction and action, including useful techniques for capturing speech that reveals character, advances plot, and immerses the reader in a moment.
Story Structure: A Writing Workshop with Boise City Writer-in-Residence Kim Cross
Story Structure is an interactive writing workshop that explores how the deliberate sequence of revelation—what writers reveal to the reader, and when—shapes a story’s impact.
Guided by Kim, participants will learn to see the architecture of a story and design a blueprint for one of their own. Together, the group will dissect a published story to identify the components of scene, summary, exposition, and reflection. Using the standard narrative arc as a starting point, Kim will also introduce alternative story structures and tools to experiment with sequencing to discover new possibilities for their stories.
Pitching and Getting Published: A Writing Workshop with Boise City Writer-in-Residence Kim Cross
Pitching and Getting Published offers a peak into the business side of writing and how to share your work with editors and publications.
Guided by Kim, participants will learn strategies for identifying the right outlets for their work, crafting strong query letters and pitches, and navigating the submission process for both articles and books. The workshop will also cover how to tailor pitches to different audiences, the etiquette of working with editors, and tips for building resilience in the face of rejection. Writers will leave with practical tools and insights for turning polished pieces into published work.
