Raising the Stakes in Nonfiction

As writers of personal narratives, we're confronted with the dreaded question: Who cares? How do we get an impartial reader to care about the content of our lives? How do we encourage readers to keep turning the pages? In this class, we'll explore the fundamentals of how to create and build upon tension in personal narratives. Using the works of writers like Cheryl Strayed, Natasha Trethewey, Kristen Iversen, and others, we'll crack the code on how nonfiction writers ramp the stakes up high and keep them there from start to finish. Expect to leave this session with new writing and lots of strategies for how to build and maintain suspense in your nonfiction narratives. 

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.