Writing from Life

Beginning writers often look outside themselves for inspiration, trying to “come up” with interesting ideas. Why, when our own lives are rich with material? In this workshop, we will focus on translating personal experience into powerful fiction worth reading. You will learn techniques for honing your observation skills and coming up with ideas; how to create composite characters from people you know; and strategies for reimagining events from your life in service of a fictional story. We’ll study stories and excerpts for craft elements, and to see how writers feed their fiction with reality. This workshop will be generative, with daily writing prompts and in-class exercises, and writers will have a chance to share their work in a supportive environment. Additionally, we’ll discuss tips for getting started, building a steady writing practice, and strategies for publishing. This course is suitable for any writer—be it beginning or experienced—who wants to write closer to the bone than ever before.