Intro to Creative Writing: Let Your Words Out!

“The imagination knows all stories before they are told,” wrote the poet William Carlos Williams. “What that says to me,” says instructor Katharine Harer, “is that all of us, whether we already think of ourselves as writers or we’re just starting to explore the craft, are primed for creative writing. Words, ideas and images are inside us, just waiting for us to open the door and let them out.”

This class will help you hone the practice of tuning into your imagination, opening the door to your writing. You’ll learn practical tools and skills to write in a variety of genres—poetry, memoir, fiction, and personal essays. During each class session, we’ll do regular writing exercises that are accessible and fun, and we’ll share our work, listening to and learning from one another. We’ll discuss stories, poems, and essays by published writers to learn how and why they grab us and to bask in their artistry. Short take-home assignments will help reinforce the skills of tapping into your experiences, finding your distinct voice, and creating vivid imagery.

“In the five weeks we’re together, we’ll become a community of writers, helping and inspiring one another,” says Katharine. “You’ll leave with your own customized toolbox of techniques and tips, and pieces you’ll be proud to have written.”