Writing from Life: The Tricky Art of Autofiction
Tuesdays, March 17–April 7
Susanna Daniel
7–9pm ET
Craft Course
$275
$250
Writing from life often sends writers into tailspins that exist purely in our imaginations. What if X reads Y and thinks Z? How can I convey A without putting myself in B’s crosshairs? But when we free ourselves to blur fact with fiction while mitigating gratuitous damage, not only do we find our strongest voice, we also honor and elevate our personal stories.
In this four-week class led by award-winning One Story author Susanna Daniel, we’ll discuss the gray areas between memoir and autofiction, exploring how writers keep themselves honest and treat their material with compassion. Our goal is to find our most authentic, authoritative, and engaging narrative voice.
Among other topics, we’ll look at:
- how to portray someone you don’t respect without turning off the reader;
- nuts-and-bolts tips for writing what’s too hard to write;
- what to do when you can’t render a real-life event or person for practical reasons;
- when and why to veer away from life for the sake of your story;
- how to embody your most authoritative voice without sacrificing empathy.
Each week, we’ll discuss readings from Ben Lerner, Sheila Heti, Jenny Offill, Yiyun Li, and more. We’ll strengthen our writing-from-life muscles using targeted prompts. We’ll discuss how and when to depart from fact, whether it be to throw the reader off your scent, to protect the innocent, or even for dramatic effect. Most importantly, perhaps, we’ll explore how to write from life authentically without compromising your compassion for yourself or others. You’ll take away examples, craft lessons, new writing, and fresh confidence.
This is a craft course. Our craft courses analyze fiction from a craft perspective and include generative writing exercises. Class will meet once a week for a live Zoom lecture based on the assigned reading. There will also be writing prompts and discussion prompts.
About Susanna Daniel:
Susanna Daniel is the author of three novels. Stiltsville was awarded the PEN/Bingham prize, Sea Creatures was a Target Book Club pick, and Girlfriending is a work of autofiction based on her award-winning short story, “The Goddess of Illicit Choices.”
Susanna co-founded the Madison Writers’ Studio with author Michelle Wildgen in 2013, and she’s coached hundreds of writers of fiction and creative nonfiction. She’s a graduate of Columbia University and the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and has earned residencies at the UW Institute for Creative Writing, the MacDowell Colony, and the UCross Foundation.
Schedule
All sessions will take place on Zoom.
Session 1: Tuesday, March 17, 7–9pm ET
Session 2: Tuesday, March 24, 7–9pm ET
Session 3: Tuesday, March 31, 7–9pm ET
Session 4: Tuesday, April 7, 7–9pm ET
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration is open now and will close when the class reaches its cap.
Will class sessions be recorded?
Yes. Recordings will be made available the day after each session.
How does the class work?
This class meets weekly for live Zoom discussions for the duration of the course. Reading and writing assignments will be distributed in Thinkific, our online learning platform. That is also where students will share responses to the assignments for feedback from their fellow students.
Is participation on the discussion board required?
We encourage all students to share work and to participate in discussions to get the most out of the experience.
Is there homework?
The class will include reading assignments, writing exercises, and discussion questions.
How much time will the class take?
Live lessons run for two hours. Plan to spend about 2 hours a week on reading and writing assignments, plus however long you decide to spend on the discussion boards.
How many students are in the class?
This class is capped at 25 students.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a phone, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
We will be offering a limited number of scholarships for this class. Scholarships cover 50% of tuition. Recipients will be selected by lottery. The deadline to request a scholarship is Tuesday, March 3. Applicants will be notified by Tuesday, March 10. You can apply here.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: Full refunds are available through March 9. Partial refunds (50%) are granted if the class is dropped within one week of the class start date (March 10–16). Payment is non-refundable on or after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or to receive a refund, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.
