Class

Writing from Experience: Life Writing in Memoir and Fiction

What does it mean to write what you know? How do you know what you know? This class will consider approaches to writing about one's own life that start with memoir but move toward hybrid forms (such as prose poetry) and autofiction. We will consider the uses of personal writing, the difference between personal essay and memoir, the value of confession, and the way to use experimental or fragmentary structures to best effect. We will consider using first-, second-, and even third-person point of view to write the self. We will think through how to shape our experiences and personae effectively. We will learn to push past our own fears and into revelation. Most of class time will be spent on short craft talks with exercises as well as workshopping, which means that we will also spend time reading and responding up to 10 pages of each other's work in a generous (rather than highly critical) way. We will also read and discuss a few selective texts or excerpts from writers like Melissa Febos, Carmen Maria Machado, Sheila Heti, Joseph Earl Thomas, Terese Marie Mailhot, and Maggie Nelson.

No class July 4.

All Classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Standard Time (CST); make sure you understand your time zone, and adjust accordingly

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.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here."