free creative nonfiction workshop

I’ll be teaching a free two-hour Introduction to Creative Nonfiction workshop in conjunction with The Loft Literary Center at the Prior Lake Library on May 12^th as part of Scott County Libraries’ Inkslingers: Writers in the Libraries program.

Come try your hand at creative nonfiction. We’ll be discussing the basics of creative nonfiction, doing a few writing exercises, and generally having fun. What’s not to love about that? It’s free, but you must register. Here are the details:

When: Thu 5/12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Prior Lake Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN

To Register: Call 952-447-3375

Space limited. Call now. 

inspiration and work

I am currently teaching three classes--two online Mother Words classes and a prose revision class at the Loft--and I'm busy, especially when you add the girls and Stella's spring break last week and writing and editing and family and friends (well, you get the picture). There isn't enough time in the day to keep up.


But--and this is a huge but--I love it all. I leave my Monday night class at the Loft elated. What an amazing group of writers. They are both fiction and nonfiction writers, and each person brings a unique perspective to class. They are warm and funny and talented. And they work so hard--each week they come to class with new writing and different ways to approach their revisions. Last night I got home and was ready to dive into my own writing, but it was ten o'clock, and the girls get up early, so I opted instead for a glass of wine and a book in bed. (I just started Tracy Seeley's new memoir My Ruby Slippers: The Road Back to Kansas, which I'm already loving. Seeley's prose is absolutely gorgeous. I'll post more about that in the coming weeks.)


This morning, I read some of the wonderful writing and dipped into the discussions of my online students--two groups of brilliant, thoughtful, talented mother writers. And I even snuck in some of my own writing. (Just a little, but it was something.)


So, the sun is shining. I wrote. I taught. Now I'm heading home to work on my current editing project. And maybe I'll even have time for a walk today. We'll see. We'll see. 


How is everyone's work going? What is inspiring you today?

upcoming classes and retreats

January is flying by, which is hard to believe since I spend most of day closeted in my tiny office. But I'm so busy getting ready for AWP and my winter and spring classes that all the sudden I glance at the clock and it's time to walk down to the bus stop to get Stella.

Here's what I have coming up:

There are still two spots open for the 2nd annual Mother Words retreat at Faith’s Lodge February 24 – 27. Spend the weekend writing and relaxing and talking about craft with a group of mother writers amidst the quiet and luxury of Faith’s Lodge. For more information about the retreat, visit my website. To register, contact Marquetta Nickols at Faith’s Lodge at marquetta@faithslodge.org or 612-825-2073.

I’m also excited about my upcoming prose revision class at the Loft. It meets Monday nights February 21 – April 11, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Here's the description of that class:

After the First Draft: Prose Revision
You’ve finished the first draft of your short story, novel, or memoir. Now what do you do with it? This course will help you revision your writing and move beyond that first draft. We will discuss how to strengthen your characters, sustain your narrative threads, identify the heart of your piece, and make the most of your dialogue. We will read writers such as James Baldwin, Charles Baxter, Bernard Cooper, and Beth Kephart. In addition to lectures and in-class writing exercises, each student will have an opportunity to share and receive feedback on his or her work. To register for that class, visit The Loft.

And I also have four spots still open in my Spring online Mother Words class, which begins on March 23. Visit my website or contact me with questions or to register.

Lots of fun teaching coming up. I look forward to having a few of you in class!

fall classes at the loft

I can’t believe fall is right around the corner. Everyone (Stella, Zoë, D.) will be back in school next week, which will be disorienting. But I’ll have time to finish the revision (please, please) and gear up for my fall classes, all of which I’m really excited about.

This is what I'll be teaching:

Mother Words - 10 week class at the Open Book, Minneapolis
Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 28 - Dec. 7 (No class Nov. 23)

Whether you are a new mom or a veteran, whether you gave birth to or adopted your child, in this class you’ll learn how to take birth and motherhood stories and turn them into art. We’ll talk about the use of humor and explore ways to capture funny motherhood anecdotes on paper. We’ll also discuss and write about the heartbreak and loss that are part of motherhood. Weekly writing exercises will focus on telling details, character development, and strengthening your reflective voice. You can expect to generate two to three creative nonfiction pieces. The instructor will provide feedback on up to 10 pages of student writing (typed and double spaced) in addition to pieces shared and workshopped in class. Course packets will be available for a copy fee on the first day of class.

For more information and to register, visit the Loft.

Introduction to Creative Nonfiction - 8 week class at the Open Book, Minneapolis
Tuesdays, Oct. 12 - Dec. 7, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. (No class Nov. 23)

Memoirist Patricia Hampl says, “I don’t write about what I know, but in order to find out what I know.” Writing is an act of discovery. In this class, you will have an opportunity to write and reflect, go deep into your writing to find out what you know. You will develop an eye for seeing the true story in your writing. Assigned readings and writing exercises will be focused on telling details, creating a sense of place, developing strong characters and strengthening your reflective voice. Students will have an opportunity to receive supportive, constructive feedback from class members and the teaching artist through weekly sharing and one workshop.

To register, please visit the Loft.

Blogging: A Tool for Writers - Open Book, Minneapolis
Saturday, Oct. 9, 1 - 3 p.m.

In this one-day workshop, we will explore the benefits of blogging for writers. We will discuss issues of audience and voice, and how to use a blog to help build your platform and cultivate a readership for print publications. Participants will leave with a better sense of how a blog can help further their writing careers and with a page of blog resources and tips for how to start and maintain a successful blog.

To register, please visit the Loft.

I’m also taking registrations for my winter online Mother Words class, which will begin in February, 2011. And there are still a few spots left for the Mother Words Retreat, which will be held February 24-27 at Faith’s Lodge. For more information about either of these, visit my website or contact me.