Department of English

This workshop-style class is an introduction to the pleasures of the writing process. Students will read essays and short stories from a wide variety of genres, forms, and traditions, and respond creatively with their own essays and short stories. They will also learn how to mine their experiences, generate brand-new material, discuss published and unpublished fiction in a critical way, and access the creative, playful side of their psyche that so many people leave dormant. We will talk about the craft of fiction and nonfiction, and will be doing periodic in-class exercises. No writing experience is necessary, but students must be willing to participate, revise their work, take risks, and be generous with themselves and others.