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Meet THe Team
May the Fourth be with you! Even if you aren’t a Star Wars mega-fan, you’re probably familiar with the universe’s two most iconic robotic sidekicks: R2D2 and C3PO. What makes these two goofballs so memorable? How do their small roles help our heroes solve galaxy-sized conflicts? In this class, we’ll discuss what makes these droids perfect secondary characters and why they are crucial to the narrative of the original Star Wars trilogy. Through movie clips and generative prompts, you’ll learn to craft sidekicks that give your protagonists depth and propel your plots to new heights.
Writers of all levels and all genres are welcome, and you don’t need to have seen any Star Wars media to enjoy this class. You’ll be able to apply these lessons to any storytelling, not just stories set in a galaxy far far away.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
Ryan Varadi is a midwestern poet currently living in Chicago, where he writes on the train on the way to work his retail job. He holds an MFA in Poetry from the University of North Carolina, where he received the Bernice Kert Teaching Fellowship. He has served as editorial staff for Ecotone and Chautauqua and as an intern for RHINO Poetry. His work appears or is forthcoming in Poetry Northwest, The Shore, and Collision Literary Magazine, among others. You can find updates at his sporadically updated website: ryanvaradi.com
"Ryan was prepared, patient, and encouraging. He was an excellent facilitator. He is knowledgeable and his love of poetry was evident!"
"I liked the way Ryan made the subject approachable for poets of all skill levels. He did not assume particular knowledge, but adjusted to the level of the participants. He really listened as people shared their work (which can be a scary thing to do with strangers) and responded in specific and appreciative ways."
