The Inlet’s “Metaphor in the Making” Salon

Do your fingers yearn to fly across the keyboard with confidence?

Would you like to return to revise with ease? Develop great ideas without a big struggle?  

What if you could do all this by mastering a single craft concept?

Sounds like a bold claim. I’ll make it bolder: that mastery is already within your grasp—even when you’re not writing.

All you need to do is call on metaphor’s extraordinary yet everyday uses, get to know them better, and you’re equipped with something akin to a map’s key.

This metaphorical map will take you to whatever destination you’d like as a writer—through likening.

Seeing one thing in terms of another, even (often especially!) things seemingly disconnected, is one of the most natural ways to make relationships and connections in creative work.  

As we break down metaphor’s many uses, you’ll become more savvy about the concepts behind the language you use, more confident with imagery you develop, and more comfortable with the clarity and mystery in the metaphors you deploy on or off the page.

The mystery inherent in metaphor can thrill us with everything from delight to awe just about every time we write, if we’re open to it. In fact, I believe metaphor’s often where a writer’s greatest originality lies.

Introducing the Inlet’s “Metaphor in the Making” Salon

Angela is a dedicated pedagogue who respects the craft / art of teaching as much as she does the craft / art of writing. She treats both arts with great care, and her students are the better for it. With her support, I was able to complete my first full short story draft! ~Melissa Reiser

I’ve worked with over 1,000 writers, taught creative writing for twenty years, and though I often get questions like “How do I plot,” “Is my imagery any good?” or “How do I create a character readers care about?” the most important question writers need to ask is this:  

“What is my (poem, story, essay) REALLY about?”

Mastering metaphor can help you…

• Clarify the themes underlying your work and get better at articulating the deepest meanings inherent in your work.
• Make better choices about what to keep and cut without leaning on others to choose for you.
• Invite originality onto the page while simultaneously building on what’s been said before.
• Break out of tunnel vision by inviting disparate thoughts and images.   
• Clarify your voice through comparative thinking.  
• “Show” more effectively by making your imagery more vivid and meaningful.
• Draft and revise with an eagle’s eye, superman’s ex-ray vision,  and surgeon’s scalpel. 
• Delight in the joy of metaphorical “ah-ha’s” by established writers, and invent your own.
• Turn surprise into the norm and let the sense of the unexpected keep growing.   

The Inlet’s Metaphor in the Making salon guides you towards the mastery of metaphor, whether thinking metaphorically, crafting powerful metaphors, or integrating metaphor-inspired writing practice tools into your routine.   

You’ll receive metaphor in the making craft and mindset guidance in support of close community throughout the fall and into the winter. 

If you are looking for a supportive, compassionate mentor to help you unleash your creative potential, I highly recommend working with Angela Rydell. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in Angela’s Flash Fiction Salon not just once, but twice. Several of the pieces I’ve gone on to publish found their genesis in this wonderful workshop. Angela’s continual friendship and support has been a true gift. ~Kristin Tenor, former CRAFT editor-in-chief/flash fiction section editor 

 Email me at angelarydell@gmail.com or click on the button below to get more info about the program and the application process.

Here’s how we’ll work together in the Salon

We’ll come together on Zoom in the Inlet’s salon community for light accountability along with craft discussions that explore metaphor’s clarity and mystery, and work to strike the right balance in our work.

You’ll study metaphorical techniques to deepen the meaning of a story, poem, or work of nonfiction, and share the ebb and flow of the process with likeminded writers doing the same. You’ll sharpen your vision, clarify your voice, and deepen trust in your own choices when drafting and revising.

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Meets Oct 1 & 15, Nov 5 & 19, Dec 3

…the first and third Tuesdays of October and November and the first Tuesday of December. We’ll also meet for optional pop-up Writing Challenges.

Plus you’ll receive “Salon Spirit” features, which include a Salon Soiree and an Inlet Alpha/Beta readers club. 

The Metaphor Coaching Add-On is for writers who would like focused metaphor coaching while in the salon and includes instructor feedback. The Hybrid Track Add-On includes coaching and/or group critique sessions. Details are below.

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SALON STRUCTURE

Inlet Salon Spirit

The concept of a “salon” is founded upon conversations–in small rooms or narrow hallways–where creatives gather to share insights, talk taste, disagree, question, deepen their knowledge and expand connections. We’ll have various gatherings each month to reinforce essential techniques, troubleshoot your writing, challenge assumptions, test theories, reinforce rules, break them–and have fun along the way.

Salon Spirit Features:

• Salon Annotations: Opt into sharing an annotation with salon peers. Identify a craft issue you’d like to explore in another writer’s work, make annotated notes in the margins, and share your key takeaways in a salon session.
• Salon (& Inlet) Soiree: We’ll meet at least once for a Salon Soiree, which may include writing practice exercises, mixing & mingling, war stories & success stories of the writer’s life, & more.
• Alpha/Beta Inlet Readers Club Membership: You’ll have the chance to opt into the Inlet Readers Club to get an alpha or beta-read of either your complete manuscript (novel, memoir, or collection of short stories, flash fiction, poetry) or partial manuscript.

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My half-done novel sat in a messy pile. Then I found Angela. She guided me step-by-step in rescuing and renewing my writing practice. We met via phone, or zoom in two-to-three-week intervals for nearly two years. My submission dates were mutually scheduled and provided the motivation to keep my writing on course. Her expertise and insight gave me valuable strategies for improving and completing my novel. Foremost, Angela is kind and wise imparting her guidance. If you are a writer looking for a great coach, writing expert, and a way forward, contact Angela.  ~V.L. Stewart, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Signing up for the Inlet’s Metaphor in the Making Salon is like enrolling in a navigation course for your craft, an accountability program to keep you moving forward, and a beta readers club to gut-check your work when you need it—all in one offering.

“METAPHOR IN THE MAKING” SALON FEES & OPTIONS

“METAPHOR IN THE MAKING” SALON

Receive two + months of salon community support.

October 1 – December 3

FEE: $375

Contact Angela for application and registration details: angelarydell@gmail.com

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SALON ADD-ONS

METAPHOR IN THE MAKING COACHING ADD-ON

Metaphor in the Making Coaching includes one or more one-to-one sessions along with feedback on new work or works-in-progress developed or revised with metaphor in mind. Revisions/development may be sparked by exercises from the Metaphor in the Making workbook. Spots are limited. Fees TBD.

HYBRID TRACK ADD-ON

The Hybrid Track may include: facilitated group critique with others in the salon, and/or Novel Salon sessions (slots are limited), and/or a tailored mix which may include group critique, Novel Salon sessions, or Metaphor in the Making coaching. Content tailored to each writer’s needs. Fees TBD.

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I’m happy to talk about whether the program is a good fit for your development as a writer.

Email me at angelarydell@gmail.com and we can discuss what you’re looking for on your next steps as a writer and talk about the application process. If you’d like we can set up a time to chat and go over what option is best for you.

Become familiar with metaphor’s ripple effect on your writing, from the words you use to the themes they deliver. And get to know metaphor’s ripple effect on your life, from the way you plan your day, to the dreams you have, to how you make decisions about the next steps on your writer’s journey, and beyond.

As a former member of Angela’s novel salon group as well as her flash fiction course, I can heartily attest to her ability to tap into each student’s potential as an individual with their goals and sensitivities in mind. She offered me feedback that was on point and practical, focusing on both what worked and what didn’t. I was looking to advance my skills as a writer and to complete a novel for publication; I didn’t want any sugar-coating, just honest feedback from an expert, and I got that. Her capacity as a group facilitator is skilled. My group consisted of writers from several genres and Angela deftly guided us as we critiqued our colleagues’ work and received their critiques of our own (which sometimes can be tough to receive!) Many of her students became traditionally published authors, including myself, and I attribute my success in part to Angela’s guidance. Her interest and encouragement of me as a writer continued even after I completed my courses as she checked in via email with kind words and wise insights, and even referred me to others in her network with whom she thought I might connect. To me, Angela goes above and beyond the role of teacher. Her caring, insightful nature will put anyone at ease and most importantly,  allow them to experience the joy of writing. ~ Kimberly Behre Kenna, Branford, CT, author of Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade 2/2/23

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