Class

Writing About Our Animals for Ages 15 to 18

In this class, students will explore pet memoirs and poetry with a focus on how craft choices deepen themes, tones, and meanings. From historical accounts of beloved pets like Virginia Woolf's Flush to modern day memoirs like Rodney Stott's Bird Brother that explore how animals can change our lives, the way we write about our animals has the power to let readers connect with us and the natural world at large. This class will serve to allow students to write those love letters to their cats, or biographies of family dogs while keeping in mind those craft elements that will elevate their writing.

This class will consist of two meetings. During the first class, we will explore readings, discuss craft elements, and understand what it means to write deeply about pets. In the second meeting, students will spend time writing with guided prompts and have the opportunity to give and receive feedback on first drafts or workshop ideas for writing projects.

This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book; we encourage participants to be fully vaccinated and masked in the interest of everyone’s safety. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.