Creative Essay Writing: Explore the Personal & Powerful

The rise of sites like Medium and Longreads have inspired a resurgence in creative nonfiction—that compelling, leisurely writing that weaves true ideas and characters into stories that reveal as much about its readers as its subject. But where do those stories come from? And how do they work? In this class, Susan Orlean, best-selling author and longtime New Yorker staff writer, walks us through her writing process for transforming ordinary subjects into exceptional stories. She reveals how she prepares to write, takes a close look at her classic Esquire piece “The American Male at Age Ten,” and delves into why curiosity, revision, and collaboration are at the heart of being a writer. This course demystifies the writing craft so that you can write a short and unforgettable profile of your own. Whether you’re an active writer, aspiring freelancer, or simply curious about the power of language, this class will help you navigate and polish the creative process of telling your best story. Instructor bio: Susan Orlean is an acclaimed American journalist. She has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992, and has contributed articles to Rolling Stone, Vogue, and Esquire. She is the author of eight books, including The Orchid Thief (later adapted into Spike Jonze's Adaptation, in which Meryl Streep portrayed Orlean) and the New York Times bestseller Rin Tin Tin. She was a 2004 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. In 2012, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Michigan. She has served as a judge for many literary prizes, including the National Book Awards, the Bellevue Literary Prize, and the Iowa Review Awards. Susan divides her time between Los Angeles and New York. Her Twitter bio reads "Writer, writer, writer. Oh, I also write."

That one story from childhood? That song that always takes you back? Join renowned writer, editor, and speaker Ashley C. Ford for an inspiring, half-hour class on writing from memory! Ashley takes you through one of her own essays, then shares prompts and frameworks so that you can write your own. You'll learn essential skills for writing from memory, including: * reporting on yourself * what to do when you don't remember something you want to write about * pulling memories into the present * sharing your memories with the world All students are encouraged to write and share their essays from one of her favorite prompts: Write an essay inspired by a popular song from the year you turned 13! This is a beautiful class for writers of every level, whether you're just starting out or already published. Ashley's honest, thorough approach to her own writing is reflected in every lesson, and you will leave with both inspiration for writing your own piece — and also the practical knowledge of how to do it. Instructor bio: Ashley C. Ford lives in Brooklyn by way of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a writer, editor, and public speaker. Currently, she is writing a memoir (among other things), and co-editing the anthology Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture with Roxane Gay. Ford has written or guest-edited for The Guardian,ELLE, BuzzFeed, Slate, I-D, Lenny Letter, Matter, Design*Sponge, and various other web and print publications. She's spoken at SXSW, Earlham College, Girls Write Now, and was a featured opening writer on Lena Dunham's Not That Kind of Girl book tour. Ford has been the recipient of a writing residency from Hedgebrook, and is the co-founder of The Lulu Fund. She teaches writing at The New School and Catapult.Co.

Everyone has a story to tell. Join best-selling author Roxane Gay to find your story, craft your truth, and write to make a difference. Roxane Gay is a writer, professor, and editor known for her honest, thoughtful writing on race, gender identity, culture, and more. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling essay collections Bad Feminist and Hunger, as well as the nationally best-selling Difficult Women. Her writing has appeared in McSweeney's and Tin House, and she is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. How does such powerful writing come to be? This course is an insightful, inspiring look at how to transform your story into a powerful personal essay. Learn how to craft your personal voice with wider context—and write to connect with the people you want to reach. By sharing her meditative, thoughtful approach to the craft of writing, Roxane invites you to take yourself seriously as a writer, empowering you to share your passion, take a stand, and make an impact on the world around you. Packed with practical guidance, actionable tactics, and example essays, 8 video lessons will take you from first idea to a final, publication-ready work. Throughout, Roxane will help you: * Find a specific purpose for telling your story * Connect your work to larger conversations and timely themes * Conduct crucial research to support your work * Navigate personal memories to write your truth * Write and revise your final work * Submit your work for publication Plus, the class includes a downloadable worksheet to support your ongoing creative nonfiction writing practice, as well as links to additional resources. This class is for everyone with a desire to write. Whether you want to finish your memoir, develop your writing craft, or explore putting pen to paper for the first time, your voice matters. This class is a jumpstart to finding your voice, your story, and sharing it with the world. It's your time to begin! Let's begin! Instructor bio: Roxane Gay’s writing appears in Best American Mystery Stories 2014, Best American Short Stories 2012, Best Sex Writing 2012, A Public Space, McSweeney’s, Tin House, Oxford American, American Short Fiction, Virginia Quarterly Review, and many others. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. She is the author of the books Ayiti, An Untamed State, the New York Times best-selling Bad Feminist, the nationally best-selling Difficult Women and the New York Times best-selling Hunger. She is also the author of World of Wakanda for Marvel. She has several books forthcoming and is also at work on television and film projects.