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Writing in Motion: Travel, Adventure, and Transformation

with Jenny O'Connell

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Essay

Online

Open to all levels

6 Sessions

Start Date: July 14, 2026
End Date: August 25, 2026
No Class: (skip days) 8/4/2026
Day of Week: Thursday
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm PT
Capacity: 20 seats
Member Price: $351.00
General Price: $390.00

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There’s a reason humans are drawn to stories of adventure, travel, and motion: they help us process change, remember wonder, and teach us something about being alive.

In this high-energy, experiential 6-week course, we’ll generate writing that captures moments of discovery, wonder, and transformation. 

Together, we’ll explore the craft of sensory writing, scene building, voice, characterization, structure, and universality. You’ll learn travel writing tricks and ethics, try your hand at nature writing, and discover how to locate the questions, tension, and momentum in your story that will hook your reader along for the journey. 

Each week comes with a different theme and a real-world assignment to get your body in motion, experiencing “your one wild and precious life” through all of your senses, as well as take-home prompts to help you bring what you find alive on the page.

Classes will include a series of guided writing prompts, and opportunities for sharing your work and receiving in-the-moment supportive and constructive feedback from your instructor and peers. Along the way, we’ll draw inspiration from adventure and travel writers such as Blair Braverman, Cheryl Strayed, Ira Sukrungruang, Rahawa Haile, Joy Sullivan, Dara McAnulty, Pam Houston, and Michael Paterniti. Toward the end of the class, you’ll choose one piece of writing to develop further.

You’ll leave with a wealth of new material, a strong foundation for a longer essay or piece of work, and a greater sense of appreciation for the wisdom and gifts of a body in motion.

This class focuses on: 

  • Generative Writing: Focuses on producing new writing through prompts and exercises. 
  • Creative Play & Exploration: Focuses on playful, experimental writing activities designed to break creative blocks and spark ideas. 
  • Craft & Technique: Focuses on improving writing skills, exploring elements like plot, character, or dialogue. 
  • Close Reading & Analysis: Engages deeply with published texts to examine craft, language, and style. 

What to expect:  

  • Reading & Analysis: Published works will be closely read as part of the learning process. 
  • Class Discussion: Facilitated class conversation 
  • Prompts & Exercises: Class features guided writing activities. 
  • In-Class Writing Time: Class will include dedicated time to write. 
  • In-Class Sharing: Students are invited to share their writing aloud or in small groups during class. 
  • 1-2 hours of reading and/or writing outside of class per week. 

Students say… 

"Jenny was knowledgeable and most helpful. She created a safe environment for all to flourish.”

Registration Dates: 

  • May 19: Member registration opens at 10:30 am PT     
  • May 26: General registration opens at 10:30 am PT   
  • May 31: Last day of Early Bird discount
  • June 2: Last day of Early Bird discount
Jenny O’Connell

Jenny O’Connell

she/her

Each class description includes a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of in-class activity, feedback, and homework (if any). 

Generative means you’ll be generating new writing, either in class or at home between classes.

Workshop means you’ll be sharing work to be read and critiqued by your instructor and classmates and that you will also be critiquing the work of your peers. 

Reading means you’ll be doing close reading of a work with an eye toward craft. 

Craft discussion means you’ll be looking at the tools writers use to do that thing they do so well and then trying it out yourself.

Class levels are designed for various stages of the writing journey. Simply self-select the level that sounds best for where you’re at. 

Introductory: This is your first creative writing workshop, first writing class since high school, or first foray into a new genre or form. You’re looking to try something new, kickstart your writing, and/or establish yourself in the fundamentals.

Intermediate: You have a strong understanding of writing fundamentals and are eager to deep dive into craft. You’re honing your writerly identity and voice through independent projects. In workshop, you look for constructive feedback and are ready to do writing and reading outside of class.

Advanced: You’ve written a significant body of work and have taken it through several stages of revision. You’re getting ready to publish or are in the early stage of publishing, and you’re interested in refining the skills that will take you to the next level in the literary industry.

All Levels: You are any of the above and are looking to play with new possibilities.

Zoom information for both classes and events are now available in your account.

  1. Login to your account.
  2. Go to “My Account.”
  3. Select either the “Classes” or “Events” tab.
  4. Click on your upcoming class or event to view the Zoom details.

You’ll also receive an email including Zoom information three days before the first day of class.

If you have any questions please contact us at welcome@hugohouse.org  

Write With Hugo House is our free monthly write-in program that takes place online via Zoom.  

We also have payment plans available for most of our classes. These payment plans are available to all students. Additionally, we offer partial scholarships (covering up to 40% of class tuition) for students who meet our income guidelines.  

Lastly, we announce flash sales, early bird periods, and special deals through our e-newsletter; sign up at the bottom of this page. 

 

Our payment plan policy: 

Payment plans are available for all classes and can be purchased through our website. To register for a payment plan, select “Pay in installments” on the class details page, select your preferred option, and proceed to add to cart usual. The following policy applies to all payment plans:

  • We charge a 5% nonrefundable administrative fee for all payment plans.
  • The administrative fee is calculated based on the general class price. Discounts through memberships, coupons, scholarships, gift cards, or other promotions do not affect the administrative fee.
  • Extended payment plans up to 8 monthly installments and 16 semi-monthly installments are available upon request.
  • We are unable to hold seats for prospective payment plan students. Students will be enrolled once their first installment has been paid.
  • If you need to cancel, Hugo House will issue refunds according to its cancellation and transfer policies. Your 5% nonrefundable admin fee will not be refunded.
  • If you withdraw from a class after it begins, you will not receive a refund and are still responsible for paying the full course tuition.

Asynchronous classes are perfect for students that need flexibility!

During an asynchronous class, instructors release new lessons once per week. Students then have one week to complete that lesson and any accompanying coursework. You’ll learn as much as you would in a traditional class but with the flexibility to work at the best times for your schedule!

While there are no live sessions, asynchronous classes are still a lively and rigorous experience. Async classes are not static lessons but an adaptable and energetic community space. Be ready to work in a collaborative environment, giving and receiving feedback on your writing, participating in discussions, and growing your writing practice in a way that works best for you.

Asynchronous classes take place through the website Wet Ink. Students receive an invitation to the class and to set up a Wet Ink account on the start date of the class. Each week of the class, a new lesson will be available through the Wet Ink portal. Classes close two weeks after the end date, and students receive an email containing their content from the class when it closes.

Hugo House will only process refund requests that are submitted 5 days or more before the class start date. To request a refund, log in to your account, go to “My Account,” select the “Orders” tab on the left-hand side, click the appropriate order, and request a refund for your specific class. Administrative fees apply. Please see our full refund policy here.

To request a refund for class credit, please note such in the message section of your refund request.

In general, we do not record classes. However, an exception can be made with instructor approval if a student has specific access needs.

We encourage students to only sign up for classes that fit with their schedule.   

We do not tolerate racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, transphobic or any other oppressive behaviors, regardless of who commits them. Please check out our full community guidelines by clicking here. If an instance of community guidelines are violated and not resolved within the classroom, students may let us know by filling out the student incident report.

If Hugo House needs to cancel a class for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.

You can apply for a scholarship by clicking the red “Request a Scholarship” text on class pages. The scholarship request text is located at the top of each class page, underneath the “add to cart” button.

Scholarship application dates can be found in our Academic Calendar. 

Due to the limited number of scholarships, please only request up to two scholarships for two different classes per quarter if you truly meet the financial need requirements.

Hugo House members get to register early for classes – a full week before they open to the general public!, receive a 10% discount on events and classes, and more. See the full list of membership benefits here!

Donations of all sizes allow us to provide access to quality writing classes, events, and experiences for all. Please consider making a donation to Hugo House today. 

If you’re interested in contributing your skills, Hugo House accepts volunteer applications for a variety of roles, including event support, administrative tasks, and more. Learn more on our Volunteer page. 

Finally, becoming a member is an excellent way to support Hugo House and our mission. 

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