Writing Towards Survival

“Writing Towards Survival” is a generative writing workshop dedicated to immersing writers into the experience of healing, testifying, and reclaiming power over trauma within the written word. This workshop explores why and how the use of language is powerful in terms of confronting and mending our relationship with trauma. Because of the nature of the type of work writers will share, the first quarter of this workshop will focus on belonging and norming. In integrating a sense of belonging for all members of the workshop, a foundation of trust can be developed for writers to share their own work. A framework for how we discuss our work and others will be developed to ensure that the space is productive and meaningful for all of those participating. We will focus on looking at writing across genres from poets like Claudia Rankine and Joy Harjo and prose writers like Terese Marie Mailhot and Jesmyn Ward. The workshop will be part reading/discussion-based and generative with an assortment of prompts and sharing exercises to create new work.

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.