What makes a compelling story? Where do we find our material? How do we make meaning from our own lives as well as from observations of the world around us? How do we write to engage others?

Students will create fiction and/or creative nonfiction using the techniques of prose. We will discuss character development, structure and plot (or not), scene, setting and style. Students will write fiction or nonfiction pieces, or experiment with both, as we will discuss the unique opportunities each one offers to get to the heart of a story.

We will read short pieces by contemporary authors to learn from and emulate their work.

This class emphasizes the writing process – creating new material, giving and getting feedback, and revision. Students will craft their own pieces each day, based on the daily topic.

We will meet in the morning to discuss readings, topics of prose technique, and write from short prompts. Morning sessions will include time for structured feedback from the instructor and classmates on the previous day’s writing. Students will have the afternoon to draft new material, with optional sessions after supper to informally share the day’s writing. Deb will contact students prior to class.

Deborah has a PhD in English and Writing from New York University.  She is a published author of fiction, essays, book reviews, memoirs, flash fiction and poetry, as well as academic work (in the environmental humanities) and two books about young people in Moscow during the era of Perestroika. She has taught a variety of writing classes in fiction and creative nonfiction, composition, professional writing, and various literature and film studies classes. At the college level, she has taught at New York University, Loyola University and Oakton College and College of DuPage.  Deborah loves teaching writing and literature classes and is excited to teach at The Clearing this year!

Level: Intermediate