Experimenting with Nonfiction with Silas Hansen

Instructor: Silas Hansen

Do you have a true story to tell, but aren’t sure where to start? Do you sometimes struggle with “writer’s block” and need a new way to get words on the page? Are you interested in learning unique ways of organizing your thoughts, or just having fun with your writing?

In this class, we will look at several different types of creative nonfiction that experiment with structure—including hermit crab essays (which use the structure/rules of other forms of writing, such as letters, recipes, and job applications), collage essays, comics, and abecedarians (which use the alphabet as an organizing principle)—in order to break you out of your writing rut.

We will look at examples of these essays to figure out how and when they work, do writing exercises to experiment with each of the forms, and share these exercises in a supportive environment to hear feedback. You will leave with an understanding of these new techniques, the start of at least one essay, and questions and suggestions to help you keep writing.