Writing Through Transitions

Some transitions are easily and mindlessly integrated into a life, but the task of major transitions is, in Rilke’s words, to ‘live the questions’ deeply. —Linda Blackman

Instructor Rob Williams says, “When I moved to the Bay Area, at the end of a long term relationship and many years in Southern California, I felt the need to record this transition, my fears and doubts, my goals and expectations, in order to better understand, reflect on, and ultimately celebrate this important life change.”

This class will provide a similar opportunity for writers to, as Rilke says, live the questions and write about them. This five-week class will guide you through the intricacies of change, whether you want to explore a story from your past, such as a coming of age moment, or focus on something from your present, perhaps a career change, retirement or relocation, divorce or breakup, or aging. Creating story marks this passage in a particular and often cathartic way.

We’ll begin with guided prompts and thoughtfully selected readings, including excerpts from Abbie Thomas’ What Comes Next and How to Like It, Darren Strauss’ Half-Life, and Michael Arceneaux’s I Can’t Date Jesus, among others. Students in the class can either re-create past or record current transitions, looking at them with a fresh perspective through scene building, vivid description and characterization, and, especially, reflection. You will compose these stories in a safe, encouraging environment, recording the wisdom of your experience.