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After 20 years of writing features - when I felt I was finally getting it - I figured I could spare other writers years of trial and error by teaching the fundamentals of writing nonfiction articles and essays.
So I began teaching at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. In these one-day workshops I try to demystify the mysterious act of writing. The sessions are a lot of fun for me and, by all indications, for students as well. "Really enjoyed the class," read a typical comment. "Instructor is very dynamic, humorous and punchy. The time really flew."
You can check out upcoming workshops and classes on the Loft web site at www.loft.org. Register online or by calling 612-379-8999.
Here are some of the workshops I teach:
Travel Writing: How to Get from Destination to Finished Story
Many of us aspire to write about our travels for publication or enjoyment. But how do we get our travels down in a form of interest to readers? We'll work on how to give it depth and accuracy; identify the "story" from the mix and multitude of your travel experiences; develop character and setting to bring it to life; create scenes that put the reader in the action. Excerpts from writing by Barbara Kingsolver, Pico Iyer, Terry Tempest Williams, and others will spark ideas for exercises.
Writing and Selling the Magazine Feature
The nonfiction feature article for newspapers or magazines is one of the most versatile and marketable forms of writing. But it's tough to write. To succeed you need solid facts, revealing anecdotes, and a "punchy" style. Like all other genres, the feature has its own rules and internal rhythms. Whether you're a beginner who wants to break into publishing, or an experienced writer looking to write for magazines, here's a one-day workshop to help you learn how to write and sell the magazine feature.
Writing the Travel Journal: Bringing Your Experiences Home
How do you begin to transform the rich experience of your travels into words? The travel journal is a tool to record arresting and important events and details, to contemplate the meaning of your experience, and to write a rough draft of an essay, article, or book. This workshop is aimed at writers with little experience, as a way to approach travel writing without fear of writer's block. We'll discuss the many different forms of a journal, and ways to use it as the first draft of your writing. We'll also do exercises to bring greater depth and meaning to what you record and remember.