Have you wanted to write about your life but don’t know where to start? 
Have you started writing about your life but need some direction? 
Have you started writing about your life but can’t seem to finish anything?
Do you write religiously (or sporadically) in your journal and wish (maybe even know) you can make those streams of consciousness into something more? 
Are you interested in making art out of your experiences, but don’t know where to start? 
Have you read great things about the Writing Our Lives Workshop and want to see Vanessa in action? 
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is for you. 

CLASS DATES

Week 1: September 12th-18th
Week 2: September 19th-25th
Week 3: September 26th-October 2nd

Tuition: $180. This includes a nonrefundable $45 deposit to reserve your seat (Note: a limited number of need-based, partial scholarships in the amount of $80 & payment plans are available. See below for more information.)

CLASS DESCRIPTION

You want to write about your life but don’t know where to begin. 
You have stories that only you can tell. 
You’ve experienced some things. You’ve suffered and you’ve overcome. You’ve failed and you’ve picked yourself up. You’ve lost, you’ve gained, and you want to share how you did it all and what you’ve learned along the way, about yourself and the world.
You’ve read personal essays and memoirs, and wonder how these writers were able to do that. How and where did they start writing about their lives?
How do YOU start writing about your life?
You can start with this class.

I created the Introduction to Writing Your Life class to answer a question I’ve been asked countless times over the years: How do I start writing about my life? 

How does this work?

• Participants are invited to join the class on Wet.Ink, the platform I use to host my classes.
• On the first day of each week (September 12th & 19th & 26th) students are given access to the week’s lesson plan, which includes readings and exercises.
• Lessons are interactive, meaning students can comment on readings, etc. directly on the site, as well as engage with one another and the facilitator.
• Videoconferences will take place during Weeks 1 & 3. Dates and times will be decided on via doodle poll. While the videoconferences aren’t required, they are highly recommended as the facilitator will:
  • provide additional information on the weekly lessons,
  • answer questions,
  • give additional writing prompts & exercises.
• Videoconferences will be recorded and shared with all participants.
• When the class ends, participants will have the opportunity to share a maximum 1500 word essay with the facilitator, for feedback, suggestions, etc.

Additional info: 

• In this class, participants will interrogate why they want to write about their lives, and what it is they want to write about.
• Participants will be led through various exercises to get them writing about their lives. The facilitator will share writing craft techniques to help participants develop their stories, characters, etc. 
• The class is an introductory class designed for people who are new or fairly new to writing about their lives. 
• Seasoned writers are also welcome. Rumor has it that legendary dancer Alvin Ailey took a basics dance class periodically to remind himself and his body. Be like Mr. Ailey. 
• There are weekly reading & writing assignments. You get out of the class what you put into it.
• This is a generative class, not a workshop. As such, your work will not be workshopped. 
• Participants will also be given a slew of resources including extensive suggested readings lists, created specifically for people writing their lives.

To register: Send an email expressing interest with “Intro to Writing Your Life” in the subject line, to writingourlivesworkshop@gmail.com.

FINANCIAL AID

Payment plans are available upon request. There are also a limited number of partial, need-based scholarships available (in the amount of $80).

How to apply for a scholarship: Send a letter detailing the following:

• Explain your financial need—i.e. unemployed, underemployed, etc.
• Why do you think you need this class? 
• What do you expect to gain from it? 
• Why do you think you are deserving of the scholarship beyond your financial need? 

Send the letter with “Intro to Writing About Your Life Scholarship” in the subject line to: writingourlivesworkshop@gmail.com. (Note: Priority goes to students who have not received a Writing Our Lives scholarship in the past.)

If you’d like to sponsor a scholarship for the class (or any class), please send me an email to writingourlivesworkshop@gmail.com. Thank you!