In this beginner’s course, you’ll be introduced to creative nonfiction (i.e., personal essays/memoirs), fiction, and poetry. Ben Jackson will give you writing prompts to spark your imagination and to draw out stories. In fun and instructive exercises, you’ll explore craft basics such as developing compelling characters and creating believable dialogue.
In addition to doing your own writing, you’ll also read excerpts from writers like Kate Braverman, Tobias Wolff, and Raymond Carver. “Sometimes we’ll read for the gut-level response and later think about why we reacted the way we did,” says Ben. “Other times we’ll focus on an aspect of craft, such as pacing or descriptive language, and think about how to use that in our own writing. Discussions and sharing of your own writing will also be an important part of this class. By the end of the course you’ll have the tools to develop a creative piece in any genre of your choosing.”
Ben Jackson has taught creative writing to students from the second grade up to the college level. A graduate of Warren Wilson’s MFA Program, he currently teaches literature at the University of San Francisco. His work has appeared in New England Review, Hudson Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, The Journal, and elsewhere. His awards include the 2015 Robinson Jeffers Tor House Poetry Prize as well as residencies from Vermont Studio Center, Jentel Artist Residency Program, and Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts.
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In addition to doing your own writing, you’ll also read excerpts from writers like Kate Braverman, Tobias Wolff, and Raymond Carver. “Sometimes we’ll read for the gut-level response and later think about why we reacted the way we did,” says Ben. “Other times we’ll focus on an aspect of craft, such as pacing or descriptive language, and think about how to use that in our own writing. Discussions and sharing of your own writing will also be an important part of this class. By the end of the course you’ll have the tools to develop a creative piece in any genre of your choosing.”
Ben Jackson has taught creative writing to students from the second grade up to the college level. A graduate of Warren Wilson’s MFA Program, he currently teaches literature at the University of San Francisco. His work has appeared in New England Review, Hudson Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, The Journal, and elsewhere. His awards include the 2015 Robinson Jeffers Tor House Poetry Prize as well as residencies from Vermont Studio Center, Jentel Artist Residency Program, and Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts.
In this beginner’s course, you’ll be introduced to creative nonfiction (i.e., personal essays/memoirs), fiction, and poetry. Ben Jackson will give you writing prompts to spark your imagination and to draw out stories. In fun and instructive exercises, you’ll explore craft basics such as developing compelling characters and creating believable dialogue.
In addition to doing your own writing, you’ll also read excerpts from writers like Kate Braverman, Tobias Wolff, and Raymond Carver. “Sometimes we’ll read for the gut-level response and later think about why we reacted the way we did,” says Ben. “Other times we’ll focus on an aspect of craft, such as pacing or descriptive language, and think about how to use that in our own writing. Discussions and sharing of your own writing will also be an important part of this class. By the end of the course you’ll have the tools to develop a creative piece in any genre of your choosing.”
Ben Jackson has taught creative writing to students from the second grade up to the college level. A graduate of Warren Wilson’s MFA Program, he currently teaches literature at the University of San Francisco. His work has appeared in New England Review, Hudson Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, The Journal, and elsewhere. His awards include the 2015 Robinson Jeffers Tor House Poetry Prize as well as residencies from Vermont Studio Center, Jentel Artist Residency Program, and Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts.
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In addition to doing your own writing, you’ll also read excerpts from writers like Kate Braverman, Tobias Wolff, and Raymond Carver. “Sometimes we’ll read for the gut-level response and later think about why we reacted the way we did,” says Ben. “Other times we’ll focus on an aspect of craft, such as pacing or descriptive language, and think about how to use that in our own writing. Discussions and sharing of your own writing will also be an important part of this class. By the end of the course you’ll have the tools to develop a creative piece in any genre of your choosing.”
Ben Jackson has taught creative writing to students from the second grade up to the college level. A graduate of Warren Wilson’s MFA Program, he currently teaches literature at the University of San Francisco. His work has appeared in New England Review, Hudson Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, The Journal, and elsewhere. His awards include the 2015 Robinson Jeffers Tor House Poetry Prize as well as residencies from Vermont Studio Center, Jentel Artist Residency Program, and Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts.
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Date/Times:
The Writing Salon
2121 Bonar Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
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