Writing Personal and Lyric Essays

wedneSDAYS, septEMBER 27-novEMBER 1
6:00-8:00PM CST
IN PERSON AT ARTS + LITERATURE LABORATORY

What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail? The word essay derives from the French infinitive essayer—"to try" or "to attempt.”

In this generative class, we’ll celebrate the messy beauty of our “attempts” rather than expecting perfection. We’ll explore what makes for vivid and moving personal and lyric essays, read and discuss the work of other writers, and write five “attempts” of our own.

Readings will include work by Melissa Febos, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Ocean Vuong, Jesmyn Ward, and others.

You’ll receive detailed written feedback from the instructor on one of your essays, and we’ll end the series with a celebratory reading.

tuition: $168

Scholarships are available through Art Lit Lab.

Class format: 

Each class will include:

• A brief mindfulness exercise

• Group discussion of an essay to learn from the writer’s style and craft

• Writing from a prompt

• Optional sharing with brief, supportive feedback. 

Outcomes: 

By the end of this six-week class, you’ll:

• Understand the personal and lyric essay forms

• Learn craft tools to make your essays shine 

• Read and discuss essays from other writers 

• Write five new essay drafts

• Receive detailed feedback from the instructor on one of your essays

• Harness your creativity through guided writing prompts

• Celebrate the end of the class with a reading from your essays-in-progress

• Connect with a compassionate community of other writers