Writing Identity for Grown Ups
led by Natasha Sajé
A generative writing workshop in creative nonfiction on
race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion and class
“It’s possible to write about anything in the world, but the slightest story ought to contain the fact of money and blood in order to be interesting to adults.”
- Grace Paley
workshop description
Terroir is a memoir-in-essays exploring how identity is shaped by place and its people and is a finalist for the 2021 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay.
In this workshop, participants will read examples of published identity writing and respond to writing prompts (distributed upon registration). The group will suggest ways to expand and deepen the work. We’ll also discuss audience, tone, point of view, figurative language, research, dialogue, and other facets of writing prose. Participants’ writing will be emailed to the group in the morning of the day we discuss them. By the end of our time together, participants should have several starts for writing identity in essay or memoir.
5 sessions @ 2 hours
Friday to Sunday June 4 to 6 and Saturday/Sunday June 12 to 13 (start time TBD*)
Group limited to 10 writers, selected by Natasha
Application required
* Exact schedule will be confirmed once the workshop is filled
Fee: US$450 inclusive of reading materials provided by Natasha
application requirements and schedule
Send a statement (max. 100 words) saying why you wish to participate in this workshop. Contact information must include your name, email, phone and the time zone you will be located from June 4 to 13. Email your application to aalauthors@gmail.com by no later than May 14. Accepted participants will be notified by no later than May 24 and you must respond and register by no later than May 28 to guarantee your place. Start time for each session will be determined after all participants are confirmed along with their respective time zones, but will most likely be around 1 pm or later Eastern daylight time.