Spring 2023 Course:
Nonfiction Writers Workshop
Overview
Date: March 19, 2023 – May 7, 2023 (No Class on April 9)
Time: 11 am – 1 pm ET
Course takes place on Zoom
Instructor: Arielle Kaden
Cost: $400 if you sign up before February 19, $425 if you sign up after. Payment accepted via venmo, check or cash.
Course description:
Are you looking to write a personal essay, a memoir, or another form of nonfiction? This course will give you the tools and the practice to do so. In this seven-week course, each student will submit 2-3 excerpts of their own creative writing and that excerpt will be reviewed and edited not only by the instructor, but by the students’ fellow classmates. Each class session will be devoted to the editing of 2-3 students’ pieces (we’ll go over one piece at a time) and the class will discuss both what is working well in the pieces and what parts of the writing – whether it is story structure, characters, language or scene setting – could use more development. This class is designed to do three things: give students the opportunity to write their work for an audience; allow students to receive constructive feedback on their writing and give feedback to other students in return; and lastly – if not most importantly – this course will enable students to build a writer’s community (one that will last far beyond the end of this seven week course.) A writer’s workshop is normally a fundamental experience for any developing writer (it is the cornerstone class of any graduate creative writing program) and this course is designed to impact students, as well as inspire and empower them.
FAQ:
How long are excerpts?
Excerpts are 8-20 pages of nonfiction writing, size twelve, double spaced, Microsoft word, Times new roman font.
What is the homework?
Each week you will be assigned to read and edit one to three of your classmates' writing submissions, and write a one-page (single space) letter to each of them individually explaining your edits. In addition, you will be expected to turn in your own original creative writing excerpt on time (you will submit excerpts 2-3 times throughout the course.) Lastly, Arielle will provide optional recommended nonfiction reading to students, should they want to see more examples of published creative work.
Do I get to meet one-on-one with Arielle?
Yes. When the course completes on May 7, each student can arrange a one-on-one half hour meeting with Arielle to discuss their writing project and steps for moving forward. Arielle will also be providing each student with written edits and a letter providing feedback for every excerpt they submit for workshop.
Do I need to have a significant amount of creative writing experience for this course?
No. You can have any level of experience and still benefit from this course!
If you have more questions, please contact Arielle Kaden at ariellekadenwriting@gmail.com.
Date: March 19, 2023 – May 7, 2023 (No Class on April 9)
Time: 11 am – 1 pm ET
Course takes place on Zoom
Instructor: Arielle Kaden
Cost: $400 if you sign up before February 19, $425 if you sign up after. Payment accepted via venmo, check or cash.
Course description:
Are you looking to write a personal essay, a memoir, or another form of nonfiction? This course will give you the tools and the practice to do so. In this seven-week course, each student will submit 2-3 excerpts of their own creative writing and that excerpt will be reviewed and edited not only by the instructor, but by the students’ fellow classmates. Each class session will be devoted to the editing of 2-3 students’ pieces (we’ll go over one piece at a time) and the class will discuss both what is working well in the pieces and what parts of the writing – whether it is story structure, characters, language or scene setting – could use more development. This class is designed to do three things: give students the opportunity to write their work for an audience; allow students to receive constructive feedback on their writing and give feedback to other students in return; and lastly – if not most importantly – this course will enable students to build a writer’s community (one that will last far beyond the end of this seven week course.) A writer’s workshop is normally a fundamental experience for any developing writer (it is the cornerstone class of any graduate creative writing program) and this course is designed to impact students, as well as inspire and empower them.
FAQ:
How long are excerpts?
Excerpts are 8-20 pages of nonfiction writing, size twelve, double spaced, Microsoft word, Times new roman font.
What is the homework?
Each week you will be assigned to read and edit one to three of your classmates' writing submissions, and write a one-page (single space) letter to each of them individually explaining your edits. In addition, you will be expected to turn in your own original creative writing excerpt on time (you will submit excerpts 2-3 times throughout the course.) Lastly, Arielle will provide optional recommended nonfiction reading to students, should they want to see more examples of published creative work.
Do I get to meet one-on-one with Arielle?
Yes. When the course completes on May 7, each student can arrange a one-on-one half hour meeting with Arielle to discuss their writing project and steps for moving forward. Arielle will also be providing each student with written edits and a letter providing feedback for every excerpt they submit for workshop.
Do I need to have a significant amount of creative writing experience for this course?
No. You can have any level of experience and still benefit from this course!
If you have more questions, please contact Arielle Kaden at ariellekadenwriting@gmail.com.
Past Courses:
Building the Better Memoir
"What would you write if you weren't afraid?"- Mary Karr, The Art of Memoir
Course Description:
Have you ever considered what it would be like to write a memoir? Have you ever asked yourself: is my story special or worth sharing? Most likely, if you’ve asked yourself this question your story is worth putting down on paper. This course will serve to introduce students to the process of building a memoir. We will discuss coming up with a vision for the story, developing the narrator’s voice, constructing scenes and characters, building a chapter plan and/or story structure, and lastly sitting down to write and revise the piece. Memoir writing is a journey, and if it’s approached with passion, grit, and heart, it’s one that is definitely worth taking.
Over our six weeks together, students will be asked to complete in-class reading assignments that expand our understanding of memoirs and how to write them. We’ll read and discuss excerpts of memoirs by James Baldwin, Cheryl Strayed, John Connell, Emilie Pine and Vivian Gornick. We’ll also read passages on the art of memoir writing by Mary Karr.
This course will also serve as a lab for students to speak about the stories they’re considering writing. As a team, we’ll develop answers to some of the biggest questions that come with memoir writing: is it safe for me to write about this? How do I know what I am doing? What tools can I use to build this memoir? Will anyone want to read what I am saying?
As an optional final assignment, students can hand in an original piece of their own writing. This piece can be the opening to their own memoir or an excerpt from the middle of it. Students who complete this assignment will receive written feedback from the instructor and can meet for a one-on-one session to discuss the next steps for their written work.
General Information & How to Register:
Instructor: Arielle Kaden
Course location: ZOOM
Course time: Sundays, 11 am-1 pm ET
Dates: September 11-October 23 (No class on September 18)
Cost: Course only - $300 ($275 if registered before Aug. 15); Course + Optional Edited Written Assignment (max 20 pages, double spaced) - $400 ($375 if registered before Aug. 15).
To register or ask questions, please contact ariellekadenwriting@gmail.com.
Week by Week Plan:
- Week 1, September 11: Introductions
- Week 2, September 25: Coming up with a vision for the story
- Week 3, October 2: Developing a narrator’s voice
- Week 4, October 9: Constructing scenes and characters
- Week 5, October 16: Building a chapter plan/story structure
- Week 6, October 23: Writing and revising the story
Have you ever considered what it would be like to write a memoir? Have you ever asked yourself: is my story special or worth sharing? Most likely, if you’ve asked yourself this question your story is worth putting down on paper. This course will serve to introduce students to the process of building a memoir. We will discuss coming up with a vision for the story, developing the narrator’s voice, constructing scenes and characters, building a chapter plan and/or story structure, and lastly sitting down to write and revise the piece. Memoir writing is a journey, and if it’s approached with passion, grit, and heart, it’s one that is definitely worth taking.
Over our six weeks together, students will be asked to complete in-class reading assignments that expand our understanding of memoirs and how to write them. We’ll read and discuss excerpts of memoirs by James Baldwin, Cheryl Strayed, John Connell, Emilie Pine and Vivian Gornick. We’ll also read passages on the art of memoir writing by Mary Karr.
This course will also serve as a lab for students to speak about the stories they’re considering writing. As a team, we’ll develop answers to some of the biggest questions that come with memoir writing: is it safe for me to write about this? How do I know what I am doing? What tools can I use to build this memoir? Will anyone want to read what I am saying?
As an optional final assignment, students can hand in an original piece of their own writing. This piece can be the opening to their own memoir or an excerpt from the middle of it. Students who complete this assignment will receive written feedback from the instructor and can meet for a one-on-one session to discuss the next steps for their written work.
General Information & How to Register:
Instructor: Arielle Kaden
Course location: ZOOM
Course time: Sundays, 11 am-1 pm ET
Dates: September 11-October 23 (No class on September 18)
Cost: Course only - $300 ($275 if registered before Aug. 15); Course + Optional Edited Written Assignment (max 20 pages, double spaced) - $400 ($375 if registered before Aug. 15).
To register or ask questions, please contact ariellekadenwriting@gmail.com.
Week by Week Plan:
- Week 1, September 11: Introductions
- Week 2, September 25: Coming up with a vision for the story
- Week 3, October 2: Developing a narrator’s voice
- Week 4, October 9: Constructing scenes and characters
- Week 5, October 16: Building a chapter plan/story structure
- Week 6, October 23: Writing and revising the story
