Windows, Walls, Weapons: Building Institutions as Characters in your Worlds with K.W. Onley

From sprawling corporations like Shinra to oppressive governments like the Empire, from secretive orders like the Bene Gesserit to true cult/religion like Acorn, speculative fiction often explores the power of larger-than-life institutions. These organizations don’t shape the worlds they inhabit—they affect characters deeply, wielding influence that can create or destroy.  

In this workshop, we’ll explore how to craft institutions that enrich your stories and feel as complex and compelling as any protagonist or villain. 

Through discussion and hands-on exercises, you’ll:  

- Analyze how institutions work in iconic narratives from books, films, and games  

- Avoid problematic tropes while building believable, dynamic organizations  

- Develop an institution that aligns with and enhances your story’s themes  

What You’ll Gain:

By the end of the session, you’ll have a fully fleshed-out institution to incorporate into your work and a toolkit for designing compelling organizations in future projects.  

Bring your imagination, and let’s build the walls that make your world come alive!

This lecture-based class will provide generative opportunities and attendees will be asked to participate via chat, voice, and/or video.

This class meets online once for two hours on March 15th from 10-12 pm Pacific Time.

About the Instructor: 

K.W. Onley is an author, entrepreneur, sometimes-preacher, and recovering elected person who writes speculative fiction for adults and children. She is an instructor for GrubStreet and the founding director of the MetroWest Writers' Guild.

Website

This event will be held in Zoom. By registering for this class, you agree to follow the Clarion West Code of Conduct and Zoom policies. 

Limited Free Seating: 

We offer a percentage of seats in every class to People of the Global Majority (Asian, Black, African, Latina/o/x, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and/or have been racialized as 'ethnic minorities') for free, regardless of financial need. 

Eligible folks should complete this form to enter the lottery for free seats.  If a seat is available, we will email you 7-10 days before the class begins. For more information, see our equity and inclusion policies.

Sliding Scale Pricing:

The Supporting Tuition rate is shown for each class or workshop for folks who can pay it. Paying the Supporting Tuition rate enables us to continue to pay our staff and instructors equitably, as well as support access to classes for others who may be in a different situation. 

The Helping Hands rate is available to folks under more limited economic circumstances, no matter your background.

For more information, see our financial aid policies.

Our Refund Policy:

Clarion West will refund all class fees if the request is made 30 days before the class date. Refund requests made within 30 days of the class will be honored if we can fill the seat.

Any exceptions are subject to approval by our workshop staff.