The Beating Heart of the Personal Essay with Connie Sommer

We all have a story – most of us have many of them. But how do you tell a story in a way that gets to the beating heart of the narrative, grips your reader, and keeps them reading to the end? And once the story is written, how do you get it out into the world? In this workshop, we’ll learn how to turn anecdotes and memories into essays by examining narrative arcs and story structure, as well as the importance of beginnings and endings, and the art of revision. If participants are interested, we’ll also discuss how to navigate publication: the markets for personal essays, how to figure out what’s right for you and your writing, and how to submit. There will be writing prompts, the opportunity to share first drafts and receive constructive feedback, and some time for Q & A.

Class meets Saturday, February 25, 9 am – noon

Class size: Maximum 12. Minimum 5

Member discount: Member of Write On receive a 10% discount on all classes and workshops. To become a member, please click here.

Teaching Artist: Connie Sommer writes fiction and journalism at her home in Los Angeles. Her short stories have been published in Stanchion, the Barcelona Review, and other literary magazines. Her articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, the Washington Post, and other online and print publications. When she’s not working on her debut novel (or just plain working), she’s walking her labradoodle Georgie, hanging out with her husband Bill, or chatting on the phone with one of her three kids, two of whom have somehow managed to land in the Upper Midwest.