The UA Poetry Center will present creative writing classes and workshops from April 4 to July 10. There will be three classes and three workshops available to the general public.

The classes cover not only poetry, but also prose and playwriting.

"We have included the prose and playwriting courses because we think that the community is interested in studying these genres," said Poetry Center events coordinator Frances Sjoberg in an e-mail interview.

Two workshops are offered as one-day-only events.

"Where are the Poems of 9/11?" with author Lusia Slomkowska will examine media reactions to the "invasion of the continental United States." The workshop aims to help students develop and write poems pertaining to the reactions. The workshop is being offered April 14.

"Talk Dirty to me: Writing About Sex and Love without Turning Purple," with author and filmmaker Amy Weintraub will examine both love and sex scenes from literary fiction. She will use these examples as a guide to writing better, more satisfying, sexual scenes. This workshop is being offered April 28.

University professor of English Barbara Cully will present a poetry workshop. It will convene June 4-9 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop will help writers polish their work for submission.

The classes being offered by the Poetry Center begin with "Writing the Photo Narrative," April 4-25, with instructor Rita Magdaleno. The class will run on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The class focus will be on writing four short stories based on family photographs.

Maggie Golston will teach "Poetry and Improvisation," which will focus on improvisational writing. The class will be on Monday nights from 5:30 to 7:30, from April 4 through May 13.

Patrick Baliani will present "Basics of Playwriting," starting June 5. The class will cover the "basics" of writing plays.

The classes each have an enrollment fee ranging from $40 to $150. Four of the six classes also have a small materials fee, ranging from $2 to $4.

"The fees cover the entire course, " Sjoberg said, "so $100 would pay for four classes with Rita Magdaleno or $150 would pay for six classes with Patrick Baliani. "

Although there are six classes available to the public, space is extremely limited.

"Classes are capped at 10 people," Sjoberg stated.

The classes are not available for university credit, she added, but if you have a love for writing poetry or prose or you want to become a better writer, signing up for one or more of these courses is recommended.

"The Poetry Center creative writing classes will offer student writers an opportunity to study with some of the finest writers in Tucson," Sjoberg said.

To register for classes, fill out a registration form on the back of the Poetry Center pamphlet. Return the form along with payment to The University of Arizona Poetry Center, 1216 North Cherry Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719. For more information about the classes and workshops, call 626-3765 or e-mail poetry@u.arizona.edu.