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Biography of Dan Chiras
Dan Chiras, Ph.D. is a man of many interests, talents, and pursuits. He is an avid reader, photographer, singer/songwriter, nonfiction and fiction writer, textbook author, an authority on and practitioner of self-sufficiency and sustainability, an accomplished teacher and public speaker, river runner, hiker, mountain biker, cross country To read Dan’s full biography click here: |
Sustainable Systems Design, Inc.
Dan formed Sustainable Systems Design, Inc. in 1994 and continues to offer design services and consulting on super energy-efficient, passive solar and solar electric He also offers lectures, webinars, advice, and occasional workshops on self-sufficient and sustainable living, residential renewable energy, green building, Chinese greenhouses, and indoor LED hydroponic gardening. To contact Dan regarding services please call or text him at (636) 303-9884. |
| Colorado Center for Creative Writing
In addition to his many nonfiction books and articles, Dan has written three novels, including Here To share his knowledge and experience, he has created the Colorado Center for Creative Writing |
Wind River Music
Dan has written numerous songs and recorded demos and performs at various venues. For more information and a link to his website Wind River Music click here. |
Upcoming Lectures and Workshops
Lettuce in Your Living Room?
Grow Vegetables Year-Round Indoors under LED Grow Lights
August 3, 2004 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Cliffrose Garden Center and Gifts on Hwy. 160
Learn how to grow all kinds of delicious vegetables from herbs and lettuce to tomatoes and carrots in a simple indoor passive LED hydroponics system. You’ll save tons of money and have year-round access to the freshest produce possible.
Admission $10.00
Limited Seating so Call (565) 899-4970 to Reserve a Spot
Creating Memorable Characters: The Key to Writing Great Stories
September 18, 2024. 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
ZU Gallery, Cortez, Colorado
One of the most important elements of writing great fiction is creating memorable characters. In this talk, we will see how great writers – past and present – describe their characters’ outward appearance and their inner character, making them real to readers. Great stories most often revolve around the inner character – who a character is, his or her personality, beliefs, ethics, and temperament. Exposing the inner workings of a character turns cardboard cutouts into real, living, breathing, and believable people that readers may never forget. We’ll end with a discussion of key elements of great fiction: predicament, challenging situations protagonists must overcome, the backbone of great stories.
Creative Writing Workshop – Learn to Write Like a Pro
September 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2024 – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Cortez, Cultural Center, Cortez, Colorado
Want to learn to write like a pro? Learn how to create short stories and novels that intrigue literary agents and acquisition editors at publishing houses?
In this workshop, we will explore many of the key elements that make great fiction truly great. We will study examples from accomplished writers from earlier times like Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe but focus most of our attention on contemporary award-winning writers of novels and short stories. We’ll explore the many factors that make stories rich and rewarding to readers including the creative use of language to spice up a work of fiction, the power of similes and metaphors to add deeper meaning, ways to paint pictures with words that stimulate a reader’s senses, the value of carefully crafted symbolism, the art of great opening lines, how characters are memorably portrayed, the art of crafting clever and meaningful dialogue, and much more. This is a hands-on workshop, so you’ll have plenty of time to practice what you are learning.
This course meets Saturday mornings at the Cortez Cultural Center on September 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 9:30 to 12:30 upstairs in the conference room. Bring paper and pen or your laptop. Seating is limited, so call Dan Chiras at 636-303- 9884 to reserve a seat. Some scholarships are available. Cost $200 if you enroll prior August 1, $250 if you enroll after August 1.
About the Teacher:
Dan Chiras, Ph.D. is a gifted teacher known for his ability to make learning fun and interesting and a highly accomplished writer who has published 40 books and hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including 60 articles in major encyclopedias.
Dan began writing and studying fiction at age 18 and has continued to pursue his passion for more than 40 years. He studied creative writing as an undergraduate and has written three novels and several dozen short stories. Dan has also written over 100 songs. Dan has taught creative writing workshops. His most recent (as-yet unpublished) book is The Finer Points of Fiction: Read the Best to Write Your Best.
Past Events
The Power of Creative Wordsmithing – Sponsored by Four Corners Writers
May 15th, 2024 — 6 to 7:30 PM Colorado Mountain Time
Reading exceptional writing is one of the cornerstones of becoming a better writer. Reading with a careful eye, you can discover the many elements of fiction that synergize to create truly great works of fiction. In this workshop, we will explore the ways great writers paint pictures with words, how they stimulate their readers’ senses, and the importance of writing riveting opening lines that captivate a readers’ imaginations and draw them.
Location: The ZU Gallery, Cortez, Colorado
Creative Writing Workshop – Learn to Write Like a Pro
May 4, 11, and 25 and June 1, 2024 – 9 AM to Noon
Want to learn to write like a pro? Learn how to create short stories and novels that intrigue literary agents and acquisition editors at publishing houses?
In this workshop, we will explore many of the key elements that make great fiction truly great. We will study examples from accomplished writers from earlier times like Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe but focus most of our attention on contemporary award-winning writers of novels and short stories. We’ll explore the many factors that make stories rich and rewarding to readers including the creative use of language to spice up a work of fiction, the power of similes and metaphors to add deeper meaning, ways to paint pictures with words that stimulate a reader’s senses, the value of carefully crafted symbolism, the art of great opening lines, how characters are memorably portrayed, the art of crafting clever and meaningful dialogue, and much more. This is a hands-on workshop so you’ll have plenty of time to practice what you are learning.
This course meets Saturday mornings at the Cortez Cultural Center in Cortez, Colorado on May 4, 11, and 25 and June 1 from 9 to noon upstairs in the conference room. Bring paper and pen or your laptop. Call Dan Chiras at 636-303-9884. Some scholarships are available.
About the Teacher
Dan Chiras, Ph.D. is a gifted teacher known for his ability to make learning fun and interesting and a highly accomplished writer who has published 40 books and hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including 60 articles in major encyclopedias.
Dan began writing and studying fiction at age 18 and has continued to pursue his passion for more than 40 years. He studied creative writing as an undergraduate and has written three novels and several dozen short stories. Dan has also written over 100 songs. Dan has taught creative writing workshops. His most recent (as-yet unpublished) book is The Finer Points of Fiction: Read the Best to Write Your Best.
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Dan’s most recent books include:
His most popular (best-selling) books include:
Dan has also written a handful of self-help books including:
For a complete list of the books that Dan has published CLICK HERE |
