Craft of Life Stories
This class returns in Fall 2011. Email us to be notified when registration opens.
The art of personal narrative has blossomed with the growing genres of Personal Essay and Memoir. In this craft class, you’ll learn how elements such as dialogue, scenes and flowing language can transform plain thoughts into lively and thought-provoking essays.
This class builds on the lessons of Creative Writing I, digging deeper into storycraft, with a focus on developing your workshopping skills.
Each week includes:
- writing prompts
- deeper exploration of craft elements and using language
- analyzing published work to learn to “read like a writer”
- giving and receiving feedback on student work
- lively discussion on issues around telling stories from our lives
Writer’s Roadmap
This course is suited for those interested in telling stories from their lives. Graduates of Creative Writing I will especially benefit.
Students interesting in continuing their work from this class may then take Memoir Workshop, Craft of Freelance Writing, or Personal Essay Workshop.
To generate more raw material, take Lifewriting.
About the Instructor: Ellen Blum Barish has a masters degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Her feature articles have appeared in Newsweek, Self and The Chicago Tribune. She is author of a collection of award-winning essays based on her syndicated newspaper columns on women’s issues and family life. Many of her personal essays have aired as radio commentaries on WBEZ-Chicago Public Radio’s Eight-Forty-Eight program. She has taught writing at many Chicago-area universities including Northwestern.