CNF Outliers: The Flash Essay, Prose Poem, Lyric Essay & Hermit Crab Essay (Jan 29-Mar 12, 2018)
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Whether you're new to creative non-fiction -- or an experienced writer just discovering these four "outlier" forms -- this course will inspire you to tell your stories in innovative new ways.
Join a small cohort of 10 learners led by award-winning writer, Nicole Breit, for a 6-week exploration into the creative possibilities of flash non-fiction, the prose poem, lyric essay, and hermit crab essay. Students will be encouraged to read and discuss essays by diverse writers working in each sub-genre with an emphasis on craft. In addition to weekly readings, discussions in our private forum, and skill-building pre-writing exercises, learners will submit five written assignments for instructor feedback.
By the end of the course, learners will have gained experience and confidence writing in each of the four CNF sub-genres, with a deeper understanding of how form and craft work together to create compelling stories.
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
The instructor will be available for "office hours" Tuesdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm PST and Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm PST. At these times, students can expect the instructor to be available for "live" discussions in our forum, communication by instant message, and/or prompt email response.
Outside office hours learners can expect to receive a response to their emails within 24 hours.
Next session: January 29-March 12, 2018
Fee: $349 USD via e-transfer or Paypal
"Nicole's enthusiasm for and knowledge of these "outlier" forms was inspirational, and allowed me to explore brand new avenues in my writing. I'm so excited about the creative possibilities I've found in these outlier forms. I highly recommend this course to any writer interested in pushing the limits of their creativity, and exploring all of the possibilities of creative non-fiction!"
~ Emily Kellogg
“Before I took this course I had a jumble of stories in my head that I wanted to tell, and no idea how to begin writing them. This course gave me structures to shape my stories. It gave me inspiration. It gave me very healing encouragement and confidence in my voice. It gave me direction for where to go from here so that I can carry on as a writer, not just as an aspiring writer. What a gift! Nicole Breit is just the coach I needed to help me. She's generous with compliments and unflinching with constructive feedback, a trustworthy editor. Her experience and the perspectives she shares of other writers and editors is invaluable in teaching how to proceed from creation to publication. I can't recommend the course enough.”
~ Deanna Partridge-David
“Nicole Breit’s CNF Outliers course is packed with invaluable information for the creative non-fiction writer. Each lesson is presented in a variety of formats, text, graphics, web links, audio files, Q&A with writers and editors, etc. Her feedback is prompt and thorough. The final lesson delves into revision, polishing and publishing. I enjoyed every aspect of this course. Highly recommend it.”
~ Shirley Harshenin
"Love, love this course."
~ Karen Zey
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Nicole Breit
Welcome to CNF Outliers!
FREE PREVIEWMy teaching philosophy
FREE PREVIEWA bit about me and CNF...
FREE PREVIEWCourse schedule & due dates
FREE PREVIEWIntroductions: Please tell us a bit about yourself...
Intro to Lesson 1
The Flash Essay
The Prose Poem
The Lyric Essay
The Hermit Crab Essay
Lesson 1 Summary
Lesson 1 Exercises
Lesson 1 Quiz
Deconstructions
Saigon Kiss - Kelly Morse
Information - David Ignatow
15 Year Forecast - Kristina Moriconi
Lesson 1 Discussion: First impressions, favourite readings...
The Heart As A Torn Muscle - Randon Billings Noble
Intro to Lesson 2
The Flash Essay and POV
Lesson 2 Reading: Bear Fragments
Lesson 2 Summary
Isaac Yuen interview (audio)
Rhythm - Isaac Yuen (audio)
Lesson 2 Pre-writing exercises
Lesson 2 Writing Assignment
Lesson 2: Discussion
Intro to Lesson 3
The prose poem and CNF?
Charlie - Laisha Rosnau
Craft mini-lesson: imagery
Charlie Q&A with Laisha Rosnau
Lesson 3 Pre-writing exercises
Lesson 3 Writing assignment
Fish-Bird-Kite: found imagery presentation
Lesson 3 summary
Fish-Bird-Kite -- reading
Lesson 3 Discussion: "Charlie"
Intro to Lesson 4
The Lyric: Fragments, Segmentation, Juxtaposition
"A Rake's Progress" - A Q and A with Susan Olding
Mini-lesson: How to make your writing more "lyrical" using sound devices
Lesson 4 Pre-writing exercises
Lesson 4 Writing assignment
A Good Metaphor for Something deconstruction
Lesson 4 Summary
Lesson 4 Discussion: "A Rake's Progress" and "Son of Mr. Green Jeans"
Intro to Lesson 5
The Hermit Crab Essay: The Interplay of Form and Content
Voice and Tone in "The Heart As A Torn Muscle"
Q and A with Randon Billings Noble: "The Heart As A Torn Muscle"
Lesson 5 Pre-writing Exercises
Lesson 5 Writing Assignment
Lesson 5 Summary
Lesson 5 Discussion
Intro to Lesson 6
Revision and the Writing Process
Q and A with Kristina Moriconi: Revision and "Fifteen Year Forecast"
Q and A with Christine Byl: Revising "Bear Fragments"
Lesson 6: Revision Exercises
Macro-to-micro revision checklist
Lesson 6 Writing Assignment
Preparing your CNF for Publication
Q and A with CNF Editor Greg McCormick
Where to publish your CNF
Lesson 6 Summary
5 Quick Questions
Lesson 6 Discussion: Wrap up and shared work