Class

Writing About Our Animals (for ages 15 to 18)

Welcome to the Loft's Summer Youth program at Open Book! Join us for 4 days of writing and creativity!

Over the course of this class, we will explore pet memoirs and poetry about pets. We'll focus on how craft choices deepen themes, tones, and meanings. We will discuss historical accounts of beloved pets like Virginia Woolf's Flush, and modern memoirs like Rodney Stott's Bird Brother. These writings explore how animals can change our lives.

The way we write about our animals has the power to let readers connect with us and with the natural world. We will write love letters to their cats to biographies of family dogs, keeping in mind craft elements that elevate our writing.

Day to day, we'll read provided materials, discuss craft elements, and learn what it means to write deeply about pets. Students will write with guided prompts, and have the opportunity to give and receive feedback on first drafts, or to workshop ideas for writing projects.