Interiority Complex: How to Create Authenticity on the Page
Saturday - October 7 • 10:30am-12:30pm PT
Corte Madera Store • $80
When we begin writing a story, a poem, or memoir, thoughts can be foggy and unclear. Identifying that elusive something in our writing can be challenging. In this class we will explore the art of discovery and delve into the power of meaningful storytelling by examining interiority as a craft tool (external reader experience) shown in literary examples and interiority as a creative tool (internal writer experience).
Learn how to bring authentic characters to life on the page and create genuine connection with readers. The process of unveiling our fears, insecurities, secrets, and memories can be a daunting one, but is essential in establishing genuine connection with our writing.
We will study various craft techniques and explore writing exercises as gateways to authenticity on the page, whether real, fictional, or poetic. Putting words on the page, we commit to the vulnerability of honesty required to create meaningful work. We will set aside the obsession with the end result and learn to trust the writing process.
Britta Stromeyer Esmail is the author of the award winning picture book Raina’s (UN) Happy Birthday and Finalist for the Bellingham Review Tobias Wolff Award for Fiction 2021. She is an editor of Tuxedo Literature & Arts Journal and the associate editor for FastForward Magazine. She teaches creative writing workshops for adults and youth, grades 5-12. She holds a Certificate in Novel Writing from Stanford University, an M.A. in International Communication from American University, and is currently an MFA’23 candidate at Dominican University, CA. She is a member of and advocate for the National Writing Project Council, the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators, and the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge. Her second picture book, Look at Me. Who Do You See? is forthcoming in 2023. www.brittastromeyer.com
What students are saying about Britta:
Britta was thoughtful and full of wisdom. This class was inspiring and thought provoking. I left inspired and full of possibility!
- Rebecca R.
As the first writing class I ever took, Britta’s workshop was an excellent way to kickstart my writing efforts. The rapidly paced and diverse prompt-writing exercises were challenging, thought-provoking and fun at the same time.
- Laurie W