Class Description
This course is designed for writers who are actively engaged in writing a memoir, have some knowledge of the craft of memoir writing, and have either: (a) begun at least three chapters of a full-length memoir or (b) begun at least three essays of a connected series of personal essays. We will study key elements of craft including, but not limited to, creating tension and voice, writing scenes vs. exposition, integrating research, developing character, dealing with "truth" and memory. The class will pay close attention to structure, dialogue, showing versus telling, and developing the difference between the I-character and the I-narrator. Each week, we will workshop student manuscripts, discuss craft topics, and analyze exemplary memoirs and personal essays. Each student has multiple opportunities to share their work in class. Additionally, students will learn to write and receive editorial letters for their peers and conduct actively inclusive and antiracist workshops. By the end of the course, in addition to workshopped material, students will leave with a greater understanding of how to develop an engaging, well-written memoir.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
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 using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.
Zoom Participation:
In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.