Class

Diversifying Writers: Writing Your "We" for LGBTQIAP+ Writers

In "Diversifying Writers: Writing Your "We" for LGBTQIA+ Writers" you, your fellow writers, and your instructor will dive deep into what makes a community and why a community might narrate our stories. We’ll also explore how writing your “we” can build complex, expansive stories that resist being flattened by assimilation politics or narrow definitions of “good representation.” Through guided prompts, students will define their own “we,” develop their narrators’ voice on the page, and begin a new piece. All genres of writing welcome!

The most common use of “we” (first person plural) historically is as “the town” or a Greek chorus, groups on the outside of the story being told. This class is about building your “we” from within your communities to tell your stories from the inside. It can sound like a short story about a group of twentysomething “baby gays” in 1990s Seattle navigating their first Pride Night together. Or perhaps “we” is a group of fierce trans people building a mutual aid collaborative (real or fictional) told in poetry or prose. We’ll also consider examples from writers Justin Torres, A.E. Osworth, Andrea Lawlor, Jaquira Diaz, Mathangi Subramanian, Alex Marzano-Lesnevich, Megan Milks, and/or others.

We’ll develop a supportive, brave space where writers are comfortable trying something new and (to borrow from C Pam Zhang) “fail joyfully.”

Students will learn how to use first person plural point-of-view (“we”) to tell some of their stories regardless of whether it’s creative nonfiction, poetry, or fiction.

Students will leave class with the start of a new draft using first person plural POV and plans for how to finish the piece.

These classes cover the issues and traditions of writers of color and Indigenous writers; LGBTQIA+ writers; writers with disabilities; and other writers from marginalized backgrounds. This space is intended for marginalized writers to work on their craft in a space that centers them and their work. We ask all participants to be cognizant of that core value. Anti-discrimination and US human rights laws prevent the exclusion of anyone based on their identity. If you are not a writer with a marginalized background, please be mindful of the space and energy you take up in a class intended to uplift traditionally marginalized and silenced communities. Anyone being disruptive may be asked to leave.

These classes are offered on a pay what you can basis. At checkout, students may select the "pay what you can" option and enter any amount, including $0.

All Classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Time.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.