Shout: more July thoughts on writing, reading, and the world
I recently spent a few, curious days at the beach, where it was hard to remember we are living through a pandemic. The joy of the ocean is undeniable. Add to that the rarity of masks and the confusion was strong: is there a global crisis in progress? Is my anxiety imagined?
Gaslighting is a word that comes to mind frequently these days. I've been thinking about how often people of color are prevented from sharing their experiences, and when they do are met with denial and worse. I am very heartened by the recent news in the publishing world and the promise that we will be hearing more voices in the future. My hope is those previously silenced voices will create a much richer chorus that will enlighten and educate us all.
If you are itching to sound your voice, join me in one of the classes below. If I don't see you, keep singing your song.
J.
Fiction & Memoir Classes Starting Soon
I've got a lot of new classes starting soon. Here's a little compare and contrast of what's on offer. All these classes will meet online.
Reading & Writing Fiction. This class will focus on reading short stories and discussing them in detail. We'll spend most of our time on that. There will also be a few writing exercises and the option to submit work for critique, if you want. If you want to dissect some short stories, this one is for you.
Thursdays, 6:00pm to 7:30pm from July 23rd to August 27th (6 sessions). Register here.
Reading & Writing Memoir. This class will include close reading of personal nonfiction, exercises to get our own experiences onto the page, and discussion of various techniques to give our writing structure and shape. If you are ready to tell your story and learn the techniques of successful memoir, this one is for you.
Saturdays, 10:00-11:30am, July 25 through August 29 (6 sessions). Register here.
Writing Through Crisis. This class will center around in-class writing exercises and discussion of our experiences in this current world. This is for anybody who is itching to get words on the page and work through the heaviness, beauty, and chaos of living through acutely difficult experiences.
Tuesday, 5:00pm-6:30pm, from July 28 through August 25 (5 sessions). Register here.