A 5-Week Creative Nonfiction Workshop
Wednesdays: September 4th - October 2nd, 6-9 PM
“The lead—like the title—should be a flashlight that shines down into the story. A lead is a promise. It promises that the piece of writing is going to be like this. If it is not going to be so, don’t use the lead.” John McPhee in Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process:
Course Description:
How can writers push or pull a reader beyond the first word and onto the next word, or the next sentence, the next paragraph, or get past page one to page two…and then to chapter two? This course will explore the tenets, ethics, techniques, mechanics, and craft of narrative nonfiction by focusing on one page – namely the first page – of literature.
Why? The process of figuring out page one is about figuring out the entire piece, and is a microcosm of how you write and what you want to say. The first page is also the most opportune time, for your reader is fresh, unencumbered by bias or boredom, knowledge or expectations. The moment we read (or write) that first word, anticipation begins to unfurl.
Course Process and Goals:
Through close readings of texts, craft and criticism talks, in-class writing exercises, robust discussions about writing and the writing process, conversations with (potential) guest speakers, and one-on-one critiques, this course will focus on improving your writing, expanding the possibilities about what great narrative nonfiction can do, and improve your articulation and execution of the components of the genre.
We will explore a wide range of literature (fiction and nonfiction) that enriches the imagination, asks questions instead of delivering answers, is layered and complex, and is exemplar in what I hope you can achieve.
Advanced writers only.
NOTE: This workshop will not admit offensive writing.
SUBMIT: 1 page excerpt of manuscript for review to programs@mainewriters.org by August 28th.
$275 Members/$475 Nonmembers
Kerri Arsenault is a book critic, teacher, contributing editor at Orion magazine, associate of the Mahindra Humanities Center at Harvard, and the author of the best-selling book, Mill Town: Reckoning with What Remains, which won the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award from the Society of Environmental Journalists and the Maine Literary Award for nonfiction. Mill Town was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Leonard Prize. Kerri’s work has appeared in Freeman’s, the Boston Globe, Down East, the Paris Review, the New York Review of Books, and the Washington Post. She has also served on the National Book Critics Circle board for four years.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-200-7180 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due by August 14 at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION