Creative Nonfiction II [Anne Liu Kellor]
This class is for those looking to build upon craft learned in Creative Nonfiction I or those already familiar with the basics of the genre including points of view, scene, reflection, and form. Each week we will delve deeper into the process of generating our own vital material from in-class prompts, with the option to share aloud.
We will also read and discuss a diverse range of voices and structures found in essays and memoir excerpts by authors such as Patrica Hampl, Lidia Yuknavitch, Maxine Hong Kingston, Kiese Laymon, Joann Beard, Claire Dederer, and Ocean Vuong. In the final weeks, students may receive feedback from the instructor on a piece and have the option to workshop their piece with the whole class in a respectful, inclusive environment.
Week by Week Topics and Readings
1. Exploration, Vulnerability, and Breaking Silence
Introductions to each other; free-writing and generating approaches; lists | Readings: Rebecca Solnit, Patricia Hampl on memoir, Lidia Yuknavitch
2. Truth, Memoir, and Metaphor
Why write memoir; voice; metaphor, themes, and images | Readings: Maxine Hong Kingston; Steven Harvey and Ana Maria Spagna on the essay
3. Finding Your Form and Voice in CNF
Diversity of CNF; breaking rules; hybrid pieces/books | Readings: Kiese Laymon, Dena Landon
4. The Classic Short Personal Essay
Scene and reflection; past vs. present tense; coming of age/out of innocence/reckoning | Readings: Joann Beard; Brenda Miller
5. The Long Braided or Segmented Essay
Exploring fragments and threads; looking inward and outward | Readings: Claire Dederer; Ocean Vuong; Sandra Cisneros OR Student Papers
6. Exploring Second Person
Writing to yourself and to others | Readings: Student Papers
7. Hermit Crab Essays and Writing Workshop
Readings: Student Papers
8. Writing Workshop and Final Reflections
FAQ
Complete FAQHugo House will only process refund requests that are submitted 5 business 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.
Class sessions may be recorded if a session falls on a holiday, or if a student has access needs. Class recordings are not guaranteed.
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.
Classes may be cancelled if less than 5 students are enrolled within 10 days before the class start date. If for any reason Hugo House needs to cancel a class, students can choose between a full credit or full refund.
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