Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Stranger Than Fiction--The Power of True Stories

When you hear "nonfiction" you probably think of the 500-page biographies of presidents that your grandfather likes to read. But nonfiction is so much more than that! It’s a huge genre that encompasses everything that isn't fiction! There is so much out there. Learn about the power of true stories in this week-long course as we use writing prompts to find and create personal, true stories from the elements of real life––using photographs, text messages, emails, and objects. You can create an exciting plot line out of even the most ordinary experiences, and we will look at how to turn real life stories into tales that are as captivating as any novel! We will also examine the many ways you can approach writing nonfiction, looking at examples that range from the confessional tell-all narrative to the hybrid researched-personal story to the family myth, and then students will get a chance to try on each of these sub-genres themselves through a series of writing exercises. Readings may include excerpts by Eula Biss, Margo Jefferson, Claudia Rankine, Marjane Satrapi, and/or Brian Doyle. All you need to bring is a positive attitude, a notebook, and a pen—though we have supplies of those, too! For writers age 13-18 ONLY.