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Writing Personal Essays

Early Bird Special ends 2/6

Course is closed.
Writing Personal Essays

DURATION/TIME
6 weeks
Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m.
Feb.21-Mar.28

LOCATION
Capitol Hill
Seattle, Wash.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Course price goes up $50 two weeks before start date, so register soon.

MORE INFO
Email us, or call (310) 659-5668.

PRICE
$375 ($350 for )
more info

Course Details

From Anna Quindlen to Adam Gopnik, the work of personal essayists is increasingly filling the pages of newspapers and magazines, offering readers a tantalizing glimpse of inner worlds, and, in the process, casting a light on the larger world around them. But what separates a compelling personal essay from mere navel gazing? This class will explore the basics of writing and selling first-person narratives, starting with short (2- to 4-page) opinion and slice-of-life pieces, and moving on to longer pieces written in the first-person. We will read and discuss student work in class and prepare it for pitching.

In this class, you can expect to learn:

  • How to find a narrative voice to weave throughout your essay
  • How to tell a personal story without being whiney
  • How to tell someone else's story
  • How to know what to leave in and what to leave out
  • How to decide which personal stories are of interest to others
  • How much revelation is appropriate in a particular story
By the end of class, students can expect to have:
At least two complete and saleable personal essays

Admission Requirements:
To apply, you must submit a letter of interest, which includes a brief work history, and a writing sample of 2,000 words or less.

Instructor Bio

Christopher Frizzelle's Courses

No courses available at this time.

Christopher Frizzelle
Christopher Frizzelle is the arts editor of The Stranger, Seattle's leading weekly newspaper. As arts editor, he oversees all film, music, visual art, theater, food, and books coverage. In addition, he edits work by a wide range of writers, including Dan Savage, Charles D'Ambrosio, Sarah Vowell, Jonathan Raban, Matthew Stadler, Dave Eggers, and Heather McHugh. He also writes a weekly column about literary culture. Before working at The Stranger, he was the book section editor at Seattle Weekly. Christopher's writing has appeared in a variety of publications.

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