Class

Writing Through Illness

Living with illness, either short- or long-term, can drastically impact our ability to create. Whether we're too exhausted or in too much pain to physically write or in such mental distress that we can't focus, it can feel like our sickness strips away our identity as artists.

This 8-week class aims to create a supportive, curious, laid-back space for writers facing illness (disease, disability, mental health crises, trauma, social isolation—whatever it may be) to refocus on themselves as creatives. Each week, we will use a different illness-related prompt to dig into and pull revelations out of your experience, share your work (optional but highly encouraged), and find communal, as well as creative, regeneration. We will also cover the practice of writing about your experience for publication: how to pitch an article, write a cover letter, and research and contact different publications.

By the end of class, each student should have at least one draft that they've received class and teaching artist feedback on and are prepared to send out into the world, if that's their writing intention. This class is also formatted for folks who simply want a space to create, not necessarily to pursue publication.

There is no class July 2

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.