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Introduction to Writing Profiles

Make people come alive on the page

Course is closed.

WHO
This class will help experienced writers who want to improve their skills writing about what may be their most difficult subjects: other people.

WHEN
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7-10 p.m.

WHERE
Writer's Grotto
490 Second Street
San Francisco, Calif.
(South Park)

PRICE
$65 ($50 for )
more info

Course Details

How do you tell the story of another person? Whether profiles of scientists, philanthropists, celebrities, and other well-known people, or stories of ordinary people who are living under extraordinary circumstances, it's hard to bring a person to life on the page. In this seminar, we'll go through the steps of writing a good profile, from interviewing and observing the subject, to writing physical descriptions, using quotes, and placing the subject in a larger context. Like memoirs or personal essays, a profile uses a person and their experience as a window on a wider world. Students will read three profiles to learn ways to write about ordinary and extraordinary people.

In the class, we'll cover:

  • Interviewing a subject (and get them to talk)
  • Writing physical descriptions
  • Focusing a profile
  • Researching your subject
  • Trusting your observations, and writing with your own voice
  • Structuring a profile

Instructor Bio

Laura Fraser's Courses

No courses available at this time.

Laura Fraser
Laura Fraser has been a freelance writer for 20 years. Her travel memoir, An Italian Affair, was a national best-seller. She has written feature articles for O, the Oprah Magazine, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, More, Health, Mother Jones, Vogue, Organic Style, and many other magazines. She has taught at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Aspen Summer Words, and is member of the San Francisco Writers' Grotto.

Testimonials


Laura is an articulate and funny teacher; her crisp and organized approach to writing is an inspiration. -- Sarah Fallon, Story Editor, Wired magazine

"Introduction to Writing Profiles was my first mediabistro class. The class was a mix of veteran writers and novices like myself. Laura was calm, but far from boring. She packed more useful information and encouragement into the seminar than seemed possible. I also appreciated her personal touches: She shared with the class some things she struggles with when she writes, and some funny stories about doing difficult interviews. I left feeling completely confident (even excited) to start two profiles I had been dreading before the class. I think I got every penny's worth of my $65 and I can't wait to take more mediabistro classes!" -- Alex Bury, Major Gifts Officer, PETA Foundation

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