What happens when

a song leaves a story untold?

Murder ballads have been telling tales of betrayal, passion, tragedy,justice, and revenge for centuries. But beneath those verses are storieswaiting to be discovered.

In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore how to turn a traditional murder ballad into an original story-or transform a story into a ballad.

You'll learn how to find the gaps between verses, develop characters and settings, build suspense, and discover the untold stories hiding inside traditional songs.

come curious. leave with a story.

• Explore the history and traditions of murder ballads
• Discover how songs and stories influence one another
• Learn techniques for expanding a ballad into an original story-or
distilling a story into a ballad
• Practice creating characters, settings, conflict, and narrative
• Work with traditional source material as a springboard for
original writing
• Leave with the beginning of an original work and ideas for
continuing it

By the end of the workshop, you'll:

Bring your imagination and your interest in folklore, storytelling,
songwriting, or creative writing. No previous experience with murder
ballads is required.

We'll provide traditional ballads and short stories as inspiration.
A murder ballad is only one version of a story.
Every chorus leaves unanswered questions.
Every missing verse invites imagination.
Every ending suggests another beginning.
Come write the rest.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, October 31st | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

JOIN US AT

TWO WAY STREET COFFEE HOUSE

1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL