Writing Sensory Experiences: A Fruit-Focused Workshop

Most of the workshop will be devoted to interactive guided writing exercises that encourage writers to practice mindful sensual awareness. Writers will eat a fruit of their choice in real time—while also taking down observational notes on the experience. We will examine the fruit in multiple stages: unopened, mid preparation, while eating, and after consumption. We then will review our notes, and discuss what excites us the most to continue. We will close the session by responding to one of a series of optional writing prompts (for example: write an elegy for the fruit you have just devoured or write an ode for its kind).

This session describes and puts into practice how writers can take everyday sensory experiences as source material for their writing (and as a strategy for working through writer's block). The hope is that at the end of this workshop, writers will feel excited and ready to continue a writing project with concrete, specific imagery as their anchor. They will leave the session with a packet of poems on the pomegranate (including “Pomegranate” by Gemma Gorga, “The Pomegranate” by Eavan Boland, “My Father Teaches Me How to Open a Pomegranate” by Ayesha Shibli, and “Ode to a Pomegranate” by Brooke Matson).

While this class is targeted toward poets, it is also relevant to fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers working on improving description in their writing.

**Materials writers will need include (1) a fruit of their choice, (2) and a cutting board and knife (optional).

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.