This kind of essay appropriates existing forms as an outer covering, to protect its soft, vulnerable underbelly…
it deals with material that seems born without its own carapace—material that is soft, exposed, and tender,
and must look elsewhere to find the form that will best contain it.
~ Brenda Miller, Tell It Slant: Creating, Refining, and Publishing Creative Nonfiction
It takes courage to write vulnerable stories and finding ways to enter difficult material can be overwhelming. The ‘Hermit Crab’ essay can be a helpful and innovative tool, in that it uses existing structures (or ‘shells’) to hold and shape our personal stories. Composed inside the safety of existing forms (ie. cooking recipes, lists, legal documents, instructions manuals, etc.), we will craft our stories in innovative ways, relying on the shell of the structure to support us.
Each class will include an in-depth study of the craft, close readings by contemporary authors, and in-class generative writing prompts. Students will have the chance to submit two pieces of writing to the instructor for one-to-one feedback over the course of the 6 weeks. Though this class is designed to create a safe space for exploring vulnerable material, be prepared to discover the power of play and fun as you experiment with form and content. Innovative essays guaranteed.
“Rayya’s workshop was both informative and surprising. Being exposed to such diversity in writing has set my creative juices flowing for the pure enjoyment of the craft!
Rayya’s knowledge and experience was inspiring. A compassionate, knowledgeable and supportive workshop leader, she made the workshop environment feel both spacious and communal. I loved it!”
“I deeply grieve the loss of this class! Six weeks in a small intimate writing class with creative ideas inspiring and removing blocks, and finding my ‘tribe’ of serious writers — my age and struggling with the same issues — was such a blessing, I don’t want to let it go!
Rayya was awesome! She provided such a safe space for us. She inspired and had the perfect balance of teaching, allowing, and providing. I am beyond sad today!”
Thursdays, 3-5 pm EST (Toronto/New York)
16 February - 23 March, 2023
(6 Sessions via Zoom)
COST: CAD$435 / US$325 / £270
Facilitated by Rayya Liebich,
Winner of the 2022 International Amy MacRae Award for Memoir (for her ‘Hermit Crab’ essay!).
Limited to 10 participants.
“I am so glad I took part in this class. I have come away inspired and with concrete ideas about how to proceed with my memoir and other writing, too.
I loved Rayya’s presence as a teacher: sensitive, kind and very aware. Her feedback on my writing was useful, kind and encouraging. I would love to work with her again, and I fully recommend her workshop to anyone ready to explore the freeing influence of structure.”
Rayya Liebich is a writer and educator of Lebanese and Polish descent. A graduate of McGill University (B.A. English Literature) and The University of Victoria (B. Ed), she is the author of the award-winning chapbook Tell Me Everything (Beret Day Press) and poetry collection Min Hayati (Inanna Publications), and was the winner of the 2022 International Amy MacRae Award for Memoir. Currently obsessed with nonlinear forms of creative non-fiction, she is completing a hybrid memoir on her simultaneous experience of motherhood/mother-loss. She finds joy in teaching creative writing in Nelson, BC.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with support@alisonwearing.com.
