Roots & Branches: Writing Your Family Tree

We don’t get to choose our families; but when we write our stories we do get to make many choices about how we frame, represent, embrace, and challenge the family histories we’ve been told, discovered, or remembered through the years.

Family is a rich and layered topic to explore in creative nonfiction. Through the course of this workshop, you will:

• DIG DEEP to hit the roots of your family tree and write the stories that you can pass down to the next generation;

• CRAFT honest compassionate, and complicated portraits with time for in-class writing;

• PRESERVE the special moments that define your family’s story by learning how to use key events, big and small, to build a framework in your narrative;

• RECEIVE FEEDBACK from your fellow workshoppers through a method of response that allows readers to ask questions about the text;

• STRENGTHEN your writing. You’ll learn to connect with a wider audience while also adding artistry, depth, and complexity to your work for this class and beyond;

• EXIT WITH A POLISHED, revised piece of creative nonfiction that you will FEEL CONFIDENT about submitting to publications.

Writers of all skill levels are welcome to attend this workshop. You can bring a work in progress, but please keep in mind that this workshop will focus on generating new work and new strategies for telling your story better.

The workshop space is wheelchair accessible. Free on-street parking is available. Coffee, tea, water and light refreshments will be provided each week.