True Stories: Creative Nonfiction Intensive

What creative possibilities do true stories hold? How can truth-telling and storytelling work together? How can we turn ourselves—and other real people—into compelling characters? This class considers the possibilities of creative nonfiction. We will explore sub-genres ranging from magazine writing to memoir and personal essays; from science writing and profiles to humor, food writing, and lyric essays. 

In this rigorous one-week course, students will learn research and reporting skills essential to all forms of nonfiction writing, as well as how to incorporate techniques traditionally associated with fiction writing into nonfiction. We will engage with a range of nonfiction prose and use workshops to develop skills as editors and writers.

Students will share their writing in a workshop setting and receive thoughtful, in-depth feedback, culminating in a carefully revised portfolio of nonfiction works.