Class

Writing Place: Exploring the Landscape Around and Within Us

Learning to see and feel a place deeply is the first step toward writing scenes that resonate with clarity and emotional depth. In this 3-hour workshop, we’ll explore how a sense of place can enrich creative nonfiction, memoir, and nature writing. Through close observation, sensory exercises, and mindful exploration of self-chosen locations, you’ll practice noticing the sounds, textures, patterns, and moods that give a setting its emotional and ecological resonance. Whether your “place” is your home, a neighborhood, a patch of woods, or a city sidewalk, you’ll learn techniques to describe it vividly and meaningfully.

We’ll read short excerpts from writers who excel at capturing place—such as Terry Tempest Williams, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Wendell Berry, J. Drew Lanham, and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson—and discuss how setting shapes narrative as much as character or plot. Writing prompts will guide you in exploring your own geography and connection to it, with time for optional sharing and feedback. Come prepared to notice, reflect, and write.

Writing place invites us to dwell more fully in the world—to see with fresh eyes, to feel grounded in uncertain times, and to shape stories rooted in presence and care.

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.