Writing Motherhood

Class Description

This ten-week workshop is designed for writers working on essays or other nonfiction pieces to engage in an ongoing, sustainable creative process. The class will focus on the mothering relationship as an integral part of human life. The writer's experience of motherhood—either mothering or being mothered—will serve as the source and subject for the work generated and polished during the course. We will have the space and structure for you to explore your unique voice and perspective as well as gather tools for developing your writing further.

Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to generate new work based on thoughtful in-class writing prompts, responses to readings offered outside of class, dynamic discussions, and your own ideas. Each week after the first, the last portion of class will entail an in-depth writing workshop in which we discuss the work of 4-5 fellow classmates, which everyone will have read in advance. Those submitting to workshop will submit a draft in any stage two days before class to fine-tune in a supportive, encouraging workshop environment.

Between meetings, you will read other participants' drafts and bring your comments and observations on them to the following workshop for discussion. The instructor will provide guidance on how to go about this in advance. Offering constructive feedback to others in a supportive environment will enrich your own creative process in turn. Each person will have the opportunity to submit 4-5 pieces (depending on enrollment) for detailed comments and feedback from the instructor and fellow students. This will set you on your way toward revision of those pieces after the course is finished.

Overall, class will include lessons on craft of the personal essay, in-class writing assignments, workshop, and discussion. Time outside of class will be spent reading and preparing feedback on other participants’ work, generating your own writing, and reading relevant essays in the genre, such as those by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Roxane Gay, Leslie Jamison, Ari Honarvar, Teju Cole, Margaret Renkl, Mary Laura Philpott, Emily Flake, Anna Gazmarian, Catherine Newman, Ocean Vuong, Merritt Tierce, and more.

Writing about motherhood—itself a deep commitment to transformation—has been a genuine salve for this time. Women empowering women through the craft of the written word is a hopeful way to share stories of our own humanity so that others may feel less alone.

Beginning and established writers welcome.

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.