Creative Writing Classes & Writing Groups
WRITING GROUPS (also known as critique groups or workshop groups): I facilitate two ongoing creative writing workshops that meet regularly throughout the year. The bulk of our time in these classes is spent in workshop. These creative writing workshops are facilitated by me in the style that I was first taught at my MFA program in creative nonfiction. We spend time closely reading each other's creative nonfiction (personal essays or memoir excerpts) a week before our class, and then spend the class period giving constructive feedback on that work. By reading and providing feedback on each other’s work, we become more observant, empathetic and skillful writers.
Launched in 2019, this group is for 4-8 experienced writers who may not have the time or space for an MFA program, but who want the same continuity and rigor. We workshop each others’ personal essays/creative nonfiction/memoir excerpts and also provide support and accountability.
I require a 6 month commitment but many writers stay for years.
This workshop takes place roughly every other Monday evening from 6:30-8:30pm ET, on Zoom.
If we have not worked together I will request a writing sample and a 20 minute phone call to ensure that the workshop fits your needs, and to fit you with a group of writers working at a similar level of commitment and experience.
This group is currently full, but please fill out the contact form to be put on the waitlist. Learn more here.
Launched in June 2023, this workshop group is open to creative nonfiction writers (personal essay, memoir) who feel ready to receive detailed feedback from an MFA-educated instructor as well as their peers with the goal of becoming a more skillful writer.
This group is capped at 6 writers.
I require a 6 month commitment so that we can build the trust and continuity that I believe is necessary for workshop.
This workshop takes place every fourth Thursday from 10am - 12:30pm ET in person in downtown Durham, NC.
If we have not worked together I will request a writing sample and a 20 minute phone call to ensure that the workshop fits your needs, and to fit you with a group of writers working at a similar level of commitment and experience.
Interested? This group will be open to new members in January 2025. Want to get on the waitlist? Fill out the contact form for application and pricing information.
CLASSES run for 6-8 weeks and they are ideal for writers who want to delve deep into a targeted topic or skill, or who want to try out a new genre. They are also wonderful opportunities to meet new writers, and generate new work. Below are the classes that I teach locally and online. Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Twitter or Instagram to be notified when these classes are in session. I can also tailor these classes for your civic group, community group, book club, organization, college or arts council.
What does it mean to have a body in the world?
How can we find language for the experiences of our bodies? How can we reclaim the stories of our bodies from whoever else might be telling them?
Sometimes we don't think of all of the different bodies that exist in the world: pregnant bodies, postpartum bodies, disabled bodies, bodies with needs that feel like “too much,” racialized bodies, trans bodies, immigrant bodies, bodies at rest, bodies in motion. Bodies also have different ways of existing in the world. Bodies change over time. Bodies have histories.
In this generative class we will use writing exercises, prompts and selected readings to process and communicate the experience of having a body, whatever that might mean to you. This class will offer a way to practice a more embodied writing and reading experience.
Students describe this class as powerful, insightful and focused. I can tailor this class to your organization or college and I have a particular interest in bringing this class to places where it can serve writers who identify as physically disabled or chronically ill.
In the past I have offered two full scholarships for writers who identify as disabled to attend this class. Click here you’d like to contribute to this scholarship fund.
Forget those stodgy 5 paragraph formats you learned in high school, or the college entrance essays you were forced to write for admissions. Essay comes from the french word essayer, which quite literally means “to try.” It is one of the most expansive and delightful literary forms.
In this collaborative and generative class we are going to read some great essays, talk about what makes them sing, and then work with prompts to generate some of our own. We’ll talk about voice, style, characterization and how to make the personal universal.
Our lives consist of millions of stories, both ordinary and extraordinary. In this class you will learn to craft those moments into compelling personal narratives. Using prompts and selected reading materials, this class will cover such topics as: getting started, voice, situation vs. story, and revision. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work in a supportive workshop setting and connect with a local writing community.
I have taught some iteration of this class at the Durham Arts Council, the Durham County Library, The Seymour Center and the Forest at Duke and I can tailor it to your organization or college.