Upcoming Classes
Spiritual Memoir: Where a Life Meets Mystery
June-August, an on-line course
Memoir becomes spiritual with intention—when we look for holiness within the details of our personal stories, when we open ourselves to transformation as we write, and when we consider crafting our stories to best engage an audience. In this course for writers of all levels, we will explore memoir as a way to make the inner journey manifest in a broader world. We will also experience the writing process as a framework for spiritual growth. Together we will discuss selected readings by contemporary memoirists from a variety of religious and secular backgrounds, generate material on topics such as early childhood, holy places, work, our bodies, crisis and doubt, and offer one another comments on our writing.
Click here for more information. Registration is open.
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Writing Journey, Sacred Journey: Writing as a Spiritual Practice
July 9-14, 2012
Spend a week exploring how writing well can become a spiritual commitment—to uncovering and witnessing the truth (be it in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry), to opening your heart to the reader, and to a creative engagement with the larger world. The practice of writing gives us a structure for self-discovery and increased awareness. Together we will do exercises, converse about the writing process, and study examples from master writers to learn how every stage (from the initial messy draft through revision to the final release) can be an invitation to spiritual growth. Robert Frost said, “No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.” With the leisure to write and reflect on a beautiful island, we will together expand our potential for surprise. This retreat is for writers of any level of experience.
You will enjoy your time here not only for the great instruction, but also for this very special location. Madeline Island has attracted writers for decades, primarily because of the natural beauty of Lake Superior, the Island’s miles of rocky and sandy shoreline, and the quiet serenity to be found anywhere on the Island. Madeline is surrounded by the Apostle Islands which are known for their sea caves, beaches, and lighthouses. Kayaking, sailing, hiking and bicycling are popular pursuits.
Madeline Island School of the Arts is located on a meadow surrounded by a forest – it is the site of the former Sandstrom Dairy Farm and a little over a mile from the Town of La Pointe.
A replica of the original barn houses a large classroom on the second floor, and gathering areas on the first floor. Two other large classrooms with windows looking out on the meadow are housed in a new building called the Milk House. The original farmhouse was completely renovated for instructor lodging. Comfortable Mission-style cottages were added in 2010 for students, making MISA the perfect place for a writing workshop.
For more information, go to MadelineArtSchool.com.
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Creative Nonfiction Manuscript Seminar
In this advanced seminar limited to four creative nonfiction writers, we will read, review, and discuss students’ book-length (150+ pages) drafts. During our first meeting, we will discuss what to expect of a good book and techniques for reading and giving feedback on manuscript drafts. Following classes will be devoted to in-depth discussions of a single manuscript. We will focus on issues of book development: thematic unity, character arc, building tension or deepening engagement, structure, and illumination of the inner story. Students are expected to read a full student manuscript between seminar meetings and write a letter to the author summarizing their feedback. In this way, participants receive peer feedback and support alongside the direct guidance of a mentor. Our final class will focus on creating and launching revision plans. Writers must submit a book summary, opening and sample chapters, and a letter outlining your goals for this seminar as an application for the class.
Please contact Elizabeth for more information. This is a private class, held in person in Minneapolis. Date and time will be chosen according to participants’ schedules.
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Elizabeth is a creative nonfiction instructor in The Loft Literary Center’s Foreword: A Writing Apprenticeship. Foreword is a rigorous, nurturing program for serious writers who are looking for an alternative to academic study. Foreword allows you to develop your craft, pursue an active writing life, and enjoy the company and feedback of fellow writers.
