This class will meet on Tuesday, 9/3 + Tuesday, 9/10, 2024

The class will meet twice, on 9/3 and 9/10, via Zoom, 6:30PM - 9:00PM Eastern. 

Open to All writers!

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.

Taught by Blaise Allysen Kearsley, a Black-biracial creative nonfiction writer, instructor, editor, and multi-genre coach. Her writing has appeared in Longreads, Catapult, Memoir Land, The Boston Globe Book Review, Oldster, VICE, Yellow Arrow, and in four anthologies, including Mortified: Real People. Real Stories. Real Pathetic., and Nonwhite and Woman: 131 Micro Essays on Being in the World. She is a graduate of Bennington College, a former artist-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center, a current contributing editor for Vestal Review, and the producer of How I Learned, a live series in New York that ran hot from 2009 - COVID.

Memory is fluid, faulty, and fallible and our personal stories are always changing. How does the brain access and translate memory? And if the brain's recall is unreliable then why write memoir at all? Is it only fiction in disguise? Who are we to say that our perspective is actual truth?

In this part-talk, part-generative course we'll consider the meaning of the personal narrative, how our creative nonfiction writing is both hindered and enhanced by the mechanics of memory, and how we navigate inevitable gaps.

Through discussion, readings, and results-driven writing prompts, we'll dig around the wiring to find our stories and explore various ways of telling them.

Some readings in advance of the workshop and short excerpts in class. Texts TBD

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Explore various ways of mining memory and finding stories;
• Use memory as a tool of the craft and generate the beginning of stories or dig deeper into work-in-progress;
• Look to neuroscience to understand different types of memory, how they function, and where they live;
• Ample time for in-class writing;
• Elevate your writing practice;
• Get inspired and feel supported.
  

TESTIMONIALS:

"Blaise's class made me a stronger writer. It was the hardest workshop I've ever done, but also one of the most important." — former student

"I've taken several workshops over the years, all over the country, and this was by far the best. Blaise is a goddamn treasure." — former student

"Blaise was really able to build a community on Zoom. This is an incredibly difficult thing to do, and she made it seem so easy." — former student

"I love that the readings center BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ voices. That has been an important and edifying element." —former student

"I genuinely looked forward to each week. The advice you gave sent me back out into the world with confidence and purpose." — former student

"You treat every question with such a genuine desire to give the best possible answer. For someone like me, that means the world."— former student

"Thank you for creating this generous space for us to try new things and be vulnerable, for the insightful feedback, and for leading us through the last 8 weeks. I'm really grateful." — former student

"I love the readings we do, and especially that they so often feature writers of color. The written feedback from you is always so helpful and in-depth. The prompts helped me to develop a lot of content. I always look forward to workshop nights -- it's a safe space to share." -former student

"I felt so often in college that I was writing against these very confident men who were forthcoming about the problems within my work and style. Working in your group has been restorative and has allowed me to trust myself without fear of being torn apart." -former student

"Working with Blaise has made me a more confident writer. She's helped me to see my writing as a larger work, and creates a safe, inclusive, encouraging space to share and connect with other writers." -former student

"Blaise is such a skilled reader and editor, and her notes are always valuable. She offers wonderful perspectives, and assembles groups of writers with keen perspectives of their own." -former student

"I really loved the class. You treat every question with such a genuine desire to give the best possible answer and it made me happy every time. I admire that you focus on building people up. For someone like me, that means the world." -former student

"During quarantine I had to show up for myself and others who counted on me, even when I felt like all I wanted to do was hide under my couch. Being part of this creative group of writers saved me." -former student

"Blaise believed in me and my writing and showed me how I, too, can  believe in myself and my writing. The level of care she provides for her  students is unparalleled." — former student  

"I feel so inspired, enriched, encouraged, and empowered in my writing  practice. I've been sitting at my desk since we all logged off just  feeling how full of gratitude my heart is—for you, the workshop, and the  entire group." — former student  

"What Blaise does is so specific and special. You can't find it in other  workshops."— former student  

"This class has been water in the desert for me."— former student  

"Taking your class on literary nonfiction and receiving your feedback  provided value beyond what I could have imagined. See? You can teach an  old writer new tricks."— former student  

"Right after the first class I started paying closer attention to how  writers had created characters and how their desires moved stories  forward in shows I was watching and novels I was reading. It made me  more mindful of the intentionality behind works I like, which will  crystalize even more when I write. The writing samples were all new to  me and amazing. I’ve reordered my reading list accordingly. I didn’t  think I would like the in-class writing exercises but I did. I really  liked the time constraints and how they forced me to write from the  gut." — former student  

"The advice you gave sent me back out into the world with confidence  and purpose." — former student  

"I want to thank you for not only helping me improve my writing but for  the confidence and practical knowledge I got from your classes to  polish and submit my work. Your feedback and mentorship have meant so  much to me." — former student  

"You treat every question with such a genuine desire to give the best  possible answer. For someone like me, that means the world." — former student

"I had to show up for myself and others who counted on me, even when I  felt like all I wanted to do was hide under my couch. Being part of this  creative group of writers saved me." — former student

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

This class will meet on Tuesday, 9/3 + Tuesday 9/10 2024. The class will meet twice, on 9/3 & 9/10, via Zoom, 6:30PM - 9:00PM Eastern. Come prepared for a super fun class with live interaction on Zoom each week and plenty of writing, reading, and talking!

• Instructor: Blaise Allysen Kearsley
  
• This class will meet on Tuesday, 9/3 + Tuesday 9/10, 2024.
• The class will via Zoom on two consecutive Tuesdays, from 6:30PM - 9:00PM Eastern.
• Tuition is $150.