Are you trying to write fiction or memoir—and finding it
hard to finish?
This workshop has one focus only: to help you create—and complete—one personal essay during the weekend.
Why write an essay?
Because, as the writer Carol Bly says, “an essay is 3,000% easier
to write than a short story.” The essay is a scalable form.
Working in this form can help you:
> access the stories that you want to tell
> learn more about literary structure
> gain the confidence to actually finish a piece
> transition your skill to fiction and memoir
Non-native speakers of English welcome
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
“I learned concrete steps for improving my essay-writing skills and for completing work. Also, we learned several literary techniques for engaging the reader.... The atmosphere created during the workshop was friendly and stimulating. The quality of the essays brought to the class was very good, and the commentary was constructive for all.”
ReplyDelete“I learned more about my own style and writing needs: where my strengths lie, what to improve.”
ReplyDelete"The atmosphere of trust and freedom in the group was very skillfully facilitated. It gave me the best possible circumstance to make a first try with a very challenging subject."
ReplyDelete“As for being able to finish a piece, the idea of scalability was essential. Start with something manageable, which can be expanded later if desired. This approachh helped me to let go of the idea of writing a complete story at once. The technique of freewriting really helped in writing more freely…I thought it was absolutely amazing how good all the pieces turned out to be after just one day of work!”
ReplyDelete"My goal for the weekend was to learn ways to write a complete essay...I do believe that I am closer to achieving my goal since following the workshop.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the class."
"The length of the workshop is perfect. I think you can't get done what we did in less than eight hours/two sessions. The second evening was more
ReplyDeleteintense: there was so much material to take in. Maybe a longer break in the middle would solve 'absorption-fatigue.'
I love the workshops because they always offer me a chance to be among other writers and create a reprieve from the "lonely" and concentrated hours spent at my writing desk. It's always lovely to be among people who share the same passion."
"What did I gain from the class? Useful way to structure a personal essay; an excellent packet of reading materials that I can always dip into for inspiration; and the knowledge that I should read more Joan Didion."
ReplyDelete“What do I think of the personal essay as a form? It's short enough to motivate you to finish the job, long enough to convey a message. The essay helps you realize that there's more than one way to spread your writing wings. Thanks for the tool-kit and insights.”
ReplyDelete“Thank you once again for the fabulous workshop. I learnt a lot and - perhaps most importantly - was inspired to keep writing. I think that writing a personal essay is the perfect way for any writer to (re)examine their style, direction and ultimate writing objective. It is amazing how much you can get on paper in just two sessions!”
ReplyDelete“The workshop helped me to get fired up and rewrite the story in my mother tongue. And the story came to me, beautiful and inspiring.”
ReplyDelete“As a reader, I seldom read essays but I now have more appreciation of the form. I learned, among other things, how to use memory as a writing prompt and the neccessity of staying focused on one theme.”
ReplyDelete