“Poetry is written in relative solitude. We dive into a poem and live in its cave of wonder until we come up for air,” says instructor Katharine Harer. “As we continue to work, we descend again and again, trying to get it right. In this class, you’ll get the tools and guidance you need to make that dive.”
This 5-week workshop will offer a congenial space where you can listen to and learn from a range of helpful voices and try out new approaches to writing and revision. Over the length of the class you’ll receive oral feedback from your classmates and Katharine on at least 2-3 of your poems.
Though this class will focus primarily on workshopping your poems, you’ll also have the chance to learn from sample poems and respond to a variety of prompts, with brief in-class and at-home writing, designed to help you practice new strategies to write and revise your drafts. The reading and writing experience will generate lively, “no-right-answer” class discussions focused on craft and process.
Writers at any stage of development can flourish in this workshop. “At each meeting, we’ll respond to works-in-progress, and the group and I will share fresh insights and approaches,” says Katharine. “The goals are to infuse energy and excitement into our writing practice, receive feedback on new work, and enjoy being in a community with other writers.”
ABOUT THE WRITING SALON'S IN-PERSON CLASSES
Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about your class. If you have any questions about in-person learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.
Katharine Harer loves teaching creative writing. She has worked with hundreds, maybe thousands, of students in her over thirty-year career as a community college writing teacher at Skyline College and as a private workshop instructor. Katharine has published seven collections of poetry, the most recent, Deconfliction, in 2020, and a full-length volume of poems, Jazz & Other Hot Subjects, in 2016. Her poetry and nonfiction have been published widely in literary journals, newspapers, magazines, and anthologies. Her travel essay Delle Donne appeared in Best Women’s Travel Writing 2016 and a personal essay, Blue Flags & Painted Crosses, is forthcoming from Sonora Review in Tucson.
- Tuesday, January 14, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Tuesday, January 21, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Tuesday, January 28, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Tuesday, February 04, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Tuesday, February 11, 6:30pm-9:00pm
I found Katharine's teaching style empathetic and helpful. She was always about improving, no matter what level we were at.
I think Katharine is a great teacher. She gives everyone respectful, individual attention. She lets everyone have their own opinion and encourages us to listen to each other with the same empathy.
Katharine is a seasoned and effective teacher and facilitator! She immediately established a warm and welcoming rapport, clearly communicated the intentions for each class meeting, and ensured we kept things moving so we all got what we signed up for. She leads with a real love of craft while also creating a safe space for each student to share the raw, messy parts of our writing processes.
The running of the workshop was fantastic, offering opportunities for feedback and skill-building. In-class prompts were also excellent. The class was extremely well planned. Kudos to Katharine!!