Class Description
Sometimes the smallest moment–or the shortest essay–holds the greatest revelation. In this class, each week, you will write a short, personal essay between 500 and 1,000 words modeled on exemplary published essays provided by the instructor, some contemporary, some from the vast history of the personal essay. Each weekly essay assignment will experiment with subject matter, focus, voice, and especially form and structure (narrative, lyric, fragmented, topical/timely, flash, etc). Weekly in-class generative writing exercises will allow you to practice new craft techniques and put into practice what you're learning. Brief discussions of short published essays including work by such authors as: Ira Sukrungruarg, Neema Avashia, Zadie Smith, Brian Doyle, Gwendolyn Wallace, Ryan Van Meter, Theresa Okokon, Roxane Gay, Cheryl Strayed, Annie Dillard, Virginia Woolf, Sei Shōnagon, Michel de Montaigne, and others, will illuminate craft topics and enhance your ability to discuss each other’s work. Students will receive oral feedback of their essays during class workshops on alternating weeks (the workshop schedule depends on class size). By writing in a shorter format, you’ll learn to write quickly, generate a lot of material, and heighten your storytelling skills.
Writing Roadmap: We've created a simple, goal-based writing roadmap to help you find the perfect GrubStreet course for your writing needs.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.
Covid-19 Update:
GrubStreet's space will be mask-optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in person.
Space Accessibility:
Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.