Creative Writing 101: Nonfiction

Do you have a story to tell? Have you always wanted to try writing personal essays or a book-length memoir but don’t know where to begin? In this class, you’ll take a quick survey through the various forms of narrative nonfiction, read selections from authors such as Anne Lamott, Joan Didion, Ian Frazier and David Sedaris, do a series of exercises designed to explore and unearth material, and have a chance to share what you’ve written in class for quick, on-the-spot feedback aimed at identifying what’s most compelling in the work and how you might develop it further. Come to class ready to read, write, and engage in lively discussions, and expect to leave with a basic understanding of the directions available to you in nonfiction, some original material to work with, and a clearer idea where to go from here.