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CREATIVE NONFICTION/MEMOIR WORKSHOP
5 Week workshop for Creative Nonfiction Writers The Meditative Memoir Workshop draws on contemplative practice as a method for accessing and shaping personal narrative. Each session pairs structured meditation with the technical craft of memoir, offering writers a disciplined framework for turning lived experience into finished prose. Access Personal Material: Guided meditation is used here as a tool of concentration, not mysticism — a way to quiet surface-level thinking and access memory with greater clarity and specificity. Writers use these sessions to surface the material that will become the raw content of their memoir. Develop Craft: Building on this material, the workshop focuses on the technical elements of memoir writing — scene construction, voice, structure, and the shaping of experience into narrative. You'll learn how to translate raw memory into prose that meets the standards of the form. Practice Structured Reflection: Weekly reflective exercises are designed to help writers identify and examine formative moments with analytical distance as well as emotional honesty, building the perspective that strong memoir requires. Workshop in a Peer Setting: Each week, we'll workshop pages in class. Writers share drafts with the group and receive structured, craft-focused feedback grounded in the fundamentals of narrative writing. Structure: Each week combines a meditative writing exercise to generate new material, in-class workshop of pages with peer and instructor feedback, and take-home exercises to continue developing the work between sessions. Screenwriters & Novelists are welcome to take this workshop to help write evocative scenes as their characters. Just let us know when you sign up and we will help with small adjustments to make sure you get what you need from the class.
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DATES
Nov 17th - Dec 15th 2026 TIME Tuesdays 7pm - 8:30pm ET DURATION 5 sessions over 5 weeks LOCATION Online via Zoom "Jess's classes have gotten me through some very severe blocks. These are professional-grade tools that short circuit the fear, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism that stands in the way of you doing your best work. I rely on them regularly!"
- Carly Wray (Writer/Producer, Mad Men, Westworld) |
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ANATOMY OF THE PERSONAL ESSAY:
Craft Your Story, Find Your Voice Dive deep into the art of personal essay writing in this intensive 6-week course. Uncover the secrets of compelling personal narratives and learn to transform your experiences into powerful, publishable pieces. Course Overview Over six weeks, you'll explore the rich landscape of personal essays, mastering various forms and techniques to elevate your writing. From heart-wrenching memoirs to witty commentaries, you'll learn to craft essays that resonate with readers and editors alike. What You'll Learn
Course Highlights
Workshop Your Essay As a culmination of the course, you'll have the opportunity to workshop one of your essays with the class. Receive valuable feedback from both the instructor and your peers to refine and polish your work. Who Should Attend? This course is perfect for:
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NOTE: This class is offered only once a year. DATES TBA TIME Thursdays 6:30 - 8PM ET DURATION 6 sessions over 6 weeks LOCATION Online via Zoom |