Beginning Creative Writing

Writing offers us seemingly endless ways to express ourselves and find our own unique voices. Why should we have to choose just one? In this course, we practice creative writing through fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, exploring the unique artistic tools each genre has to offer us. We practice plot and character by writing short stories. We experiment with voice, tone, and pacing by crafting nonfiction essays and personal narratives. Through poetry, we try our hand at rhythm, cadence, and imagery, learning to mold language to our unique ways of writing and thinking. Writing across genres can help us find where our voices feel most at home in the world of literature. To guide us, we consult literary masters, from writers of the classic short story to contemporary poets redefining modern language.