Trust the Details: Finding the Aha in Your Essay [Christine Hemp]

Like poetry, literary nonfiction opens the reader to an “aha” experience. Whether you’re writing about art, fly fishing, scientific theory, a trip to Tibet, or family history, the thing that distinguishes the literary essay or memoir from run-of-the-mill journalism is its music, its disparate connecting chords. The best literary nonfiction writers learn to trust the details, weave them in concert, and discover a larger meaning—surprising themselves as well as their readers. This class will help you cultivate voice, tune in to the “ear” of language, and find a shape for your unique story.