Creating Nonhuman Characters
A Writing Workshop with Elizabeth Beechwood and Katherine Quevedo
November 13, 2022 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. via ZOOM
All Levels | Nonhuman characters bring a depth to your story not achievable with human characters. By exploring four elements — point of view, intelligence, behavior, and “The Wilding” (the moment when the animal character becomes its most primitive self ) — you can follow in the footsteps of Sofia Samatar, Caroline M. Yoachim, Brooke Bolander, and Garth Stein to create unforgettable nonhuman characters that readers identify with and love. This lively workshop explores not only animals but also landscapes, mythical creatures, and inanimate objects, such as toys and appliances.
Past Events
Creating Animal Characters that Capture Your Reader’s Imagination
with Elizabeth Beechwood
Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference
October 7, 2022 3 – 4:15 p.m. ONLINE!
Animal characters bring a depth not achievable with human characters. By exploring four elements – point of view, intelligence, behavior, and The Wilding – and learning from such authors as Brooke Bolander, Kira Jane Buxton, Jack London, and Garth Stein, you can create animal characters that capture your reader’s imagination.
Salem Reads 2022
Magical Realism Writing Workshop
From Ordinary to Magical – a magical realism writing workshop
February 12, 2022 10:15 – 1:15pm via ZOOM
The workshop is free. Space is limited. Sign up to receive Zoom access information on the day of the event at salemlibrary.org.
Join Elizabeth in this lively, interactive workshop that’s suitable for all levels of writers. With the help of writing prompts, you’ll explore the world of magical realism and how to use the seemingly ordinary to create something magical. There will be time to write, explore, and share (if you’re comfortable with that!). Bring your writing implement of choice and a playful spirit.
Salem Reads is a community-wide reading project that invites the people of Salem to come together in person or virtually through reading, discussion, and programs based on the themes of a common book. The Salem Public Library Foundation funds this effort to foster community and invite people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and viewpoints to come together to discuss compelling topics.
Creating Nonhuman Characters
A Writing Workshop with Elizabeth Beechwood and Katherine Quevedo
November 21, 2021 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. via ZOOM
All Levels | Nonhuman characters bring a depth to your story not achievable with human characters. By exploring four elements — point of view, intelligence, behavior, and “The Wilding” (the moment when the animal character becomes its most primitive self ) — you can follow in the footsteps of Sofia Samatar, Caroline M. Yoachim, Brooke Bolander, and Garth Stein to create unforgettable nonhuman characters that readers identify with and love. This lively workshop explores not only animals but also landscapes, mythical creatures, and inanimate objects, such as toys and appliances.
Creating Non-Human Characters
A Writing Workshop with Katherine Quevedo and Elizabeth Beechwood
Hoffman Center for the Arts – via ZOOM
July 18th, 2020 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuition: $50
Non-human characters can bring a depth to your story not achievable with human characters. By exploring four elements—point of view, intelligence, behavior, and The Wilding—you can follow in the footsteps of Jack London, E.B. Webb, L. Frank Baum, and Lewis Carroll to create unforgettable non-human characters that readers identify with and love. This workshop explores not only animals but also landscapes, mythical creatures, and inanimate objects, such as toys and appliances.
Using lecture, class interaction, and writing exercises (with flashcards!), this lively presentation is fun for writers of all experience levels and genres.
Registration opens on April 1st!
Panel Discussion with Strongly Worded Women
March 8th – Multnomah County Library’s Central Library
Before, During and After the Pages: Writing Short Stories
Have you ever thought about writing a short story or written one and wondered how to get it published?
Talk with published writers about the stories behind their stories, the process of writing them, and how to get them published.
The authors have all had a story published in the anthology Strongly Worded Women, the creation of which is another good story.
U.S. Bank Room – Central Library
801 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 988-5123
September 21st – Forest Grove Library 10 – 12pm
Short Stories: Tiny Windows Into Other Worlds – a writing workshop
What does it take to write a short story? And what do you do with it when you’re done? We’ll talk about both of those questions, as well as read three short stories and use them for inspiration. There will be writing exercises, so bring your writing implement of choice and join me for a fun workshop!
Seating is limited so sign up soon!
Forest Grove Library – 2114 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove
July 20th – Lend an Ear

Join the Writers in the Grove for this summer’s Lend an Ear event. This is always a fun reading event and I’m thrilled to be a part of it! Please come out and listen to these amazing writers read their stories and poems. As always, it’s free and open to the public.
July 20, 2019
Saturday 10:30am-1pm
Plum Hill Vineyards
6505 SW Old Highway 47
Gaston OR 97119
July 18, 2019 Itty Bitty Writing Anthology Book Launch! 
There’s a new anthology hitting the ground and you’re invited to the launch. I’ll be reading my latest short story – ‘Dear Communist Dog Catcher’.
7pm at Another Read Thru – 3932 N Mississippi, Portland
July 11, 2019 – More Strongly Worded Women

Another fun night with the Strongly Worded Women! Come out to the Rose City Book Pub from 7:30-8:30 to listen to a group of kick-ass women reading their kick-ass writing!
Rose City Book Pub – 1329 NE Fremont St., Portland
I will be joined by other Strongly Worded Women at Annie Bloom’s Books on March 11th from 7-8 pm for a reading and book signing.
Broadway Books
I will be joined by other Strongly Worded Women at Broadway Books in Portland on February 12th 7-8 pm for a reading and book signing.
1714 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
I will read my short story Back to the Garden at the Writers in the Grove’s WINTERSONG 2019 public reading event at the Forest Grove United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 2, 2019, from 10:30 AM to about noon.
Forest Grove United Methodist Church
1726 Cedar Street
Forest Grove, Oregon.