NON-FICTION WORKSHOP

EXPERIMENTS IN FORM

Sarah Gerard

Creative nonfiction writers borrow techniques from many disciplines, forms, and genres, and are continually expanding the field into singular new modes of expression. This workshop lays out a process for writers to navigate what can often feel like uncharted territory in nonfiction. We will practice finding unique forms for our expressions by focusing on the critical elements of material, shape, and voice. 

All artists use materials and it is from them that we discover the shape and voice of our work. This class gives you tools for generating and gathering material through writing practices and research methods, as well as for crafting your materials according to their organizing patterns, metaphors, and themes, and contending with the element of time. Through this process of refining, you will see your work animated with ideas, emotion, and story.

Each day, the class will engage in generative discussion and skill practice, and will read and provide feedback for participants’ writing. In-class readings will be provided. The goal is to come away from the class feeling empowered and energized to adventure into big projects.