Reading like a Memoirist
4 Weeks • with Celia Jeffries • All Levels
Available spots
Class Description
As a group, participants will read Notes of a Native Son over the course of four weeks. We will discuss how Baldwin uses the fundamentals of storytelling, how he explores both his inner and outer worlds, and how we can learn from his work. Generative writing exercises related to the reading will be offered, as well as the opportunity for in-class positive feedback. There will be no formal or written feedback; instead we will focus deeply on craft analysis, discussion, and writing our own stories. Required: All participants must have a copy of the book and are expected to begin reading before the first class. WEEK ONE: Overview of Memoir v. Fiction. Introduction to Baldwin. in class writings and prompts to take home. WEEK TWO: Using fictional techniques in memoir. Close reading of how Baldwin enters the story. in class writings and prompts to take home. WEEK THREE: Difference between perspective and point of view. Sequencing. How does Baldwin move his story backwards and forwards? in class writings and prompts take home. WEEK FOUR: The intersection of the writer and the world at large. Close reading of Baldwin's third section. in class writings. Ideas for works in progress. CELIA JEFFRIES is the author of the award-winning novel Blue Desert. Her work has appeared in numerous newspapers and literary magazines including Westview, Solstice, and Puerto del Sol, as well as the anthology Beyond the Yellow Wallpaper. She holds an MA from Brandeis and an MFA from Lesley University. Find her online at www.celiajeffries.com. WHAT STUDENTS SAY "Celia keeps the class moving. She has a special style that really works for me. She knows a lot, shares works of others, got me reading a lot of memoirs." - Rosemarie K. "I have taken several writing your memoir courses, but Jeffries class is the most useful. Two hours went by so quickly. If Jeffries teaches another class, I plan to take it!" - Angela W. *** FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE*** For those interested but only able to join with partial financial aid, we are able to offer sliding scale financial aid / payment options (both 50% and 25% assistance). To register with financial aid assistance: Click on the registration link and choose the payment option you can afford (all options should be available when registering). For those who can pay full tuition, thank you - as your support helps sustain what we do at PVWW. Please get in touch if you have any questions around registering and/or financial aid!
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
If you withdraw from a workshop TEN DAYS OR MORE before the start of the class: You'll receive credit toward another workshop (minus 10% transaction fee) OR a full refund (minus 10% transaction fee). The transaction fee is non-refundable for PVWW, so this is something we must apply to all refunds and transfers. If you withdraw from a workshop nine days before the start of the class up until 48 hours before: You'll receive a refund minus 20%. If you withdraw from a workshop less than 48 hours before the start of a class or after the class has begun: We cannot offer credit or any refund. If you are absent on the day of your workshop or miss it for any reason, we are unable to offer any kind of refund or credit. If we have to cancel a class you have paid for, you will receive a full refund, without the service charge deducted. For our full listing of policies, visit www.PioneerValleyWriters.Com, Policies page (under Home). To withdraw and receive a partial refund according to the above, please get in touch with us at admin@pioneervalleywriters.com
Contact Details
5186451113
joy@pioneervalleywriters.org
Florence Civic Center, 90 Park Street, Florence, MA 01062, USA