CNF02-03: The Diptych, Triptych, Visual Essay and Decentered Hermit Crab Essay (June 18 to July 30, 2018)
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Whether you're a CNF Outlier or a creative nonfiction novice, this course will show you how to produce new, unconventional personal narratives with four forms inspired by visual art.
Join a small cohort of 10 learners led by award-winning writer, Nicole Breit, for an eye-opening 6-week exploration of the panel essay (diptych and triptych), the visual essay, and the decentered hermit crab essay.
Students will read the work of diverse essayists writing on the far outer edges of CNF, whose essays marry image and text, story and structure.
By the end of the course, writers will have a deeper understanding of how to produce more dynamic and memorable work using the tools of textual and visual storytelling.
Next session: June 18 to July 30, 2018
Week 1: Intro to Four Visual CNF Forms
Week 2: The Diptych Essay
Week 3: The Triptych Essay
Week 4: The Visual Essay
Week 5: The Decentered Hermit Crab Essay
Week 6: Maintaining Momentum in Your Writing Life: The "Gift" of Being Stuck
Course Fee: $349 USD
The instructor will be available for virtual "office hours" Tuesdays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm PST and Thursdays from 10:30 am to noon pm PST. At these times, students can expect the instructor to be available for "live" discussions in our Disqus group and/or prompt email response.
Outside office hours learners can expect to receive a response to their emails within 24-48 hours.
Be the first to know when course registration opens and other announcements!
Nicole Breit
Welcome to CNF Outliers 2!
FREE PREVIEWCourse schedule & due dates
FREE PREVIEWPlease introduce yourselves...
Intro to 4 Forms
The Diptych Essay
The Triptych Essay
The Visual Essay
The Decentered Hermit Crab Essay
Lesson 1 Summary
Lesson 1: Pre-writing exercises
Visual Journal Sample: Exposed Heart
Visual Journal: Dream Diary Entry-November 22, 2000
Visual Journal Entry: I can now feel again
Visual Journal Sample: Singer Sketch & Diary Entry
Visual Journal Cover: Sketch & Poem by Glenn
Visual Journal Entry: Childhood memory
Week 1 Discussion
Iconoclasts: A Diptych - Nicole Breit
Intro to Lesson 2
A brief history of the diptych
The Diptych Project
Reflective voice and other techniques & tools
Diptych: Chrysalis, Prayer
Q & A with Katharine Haake
Conversation with Rachel Laverdiere on "Captured in Black & White"
Lesson 2 Summary
Lesson 2 Pre-writing Exercises
Lesson 2 Writing Assignment
Lesson 2 Discussion
Intro to Lesson 3
The "magic" of the triptych form
The triptych in modern art
3 ways of looking at the three-panel essay
Visual craft tools: storyboards and references
Assigned readings by Monet Patrice Thomas
Q and A with Monet Patrice Thomas
Lesson 3 Summary
Lesson 3 Pre-writing Exercise
Lesson 3 Writing Assignment
Lesson 3 Discussion
Intro to Lesson 4
The Visual essay: CNF's most expansive form
The Photo Essay
The Pictorial Essay
The Concrete Essay
Q and A with Erica Trabold
"Vide" by Sarah Minor
Lesson 4 Summary
Lesson 4 Pre-Writing Exercise
Lesson 4 Writing Assignment
Lesson 4 Discussion
Intro to Lesson 5
The origins of CNF's most "left of centre" form
The quilted essay
The sticky note narrative
Lesson 5 Summary
Lesson 5 Pre-writing Exercise
Lesson 5 Assignment
Lesson 5 Discussion
Intro to Lesson 6
Interactive, electronic narratives
Q and A with Christine Wilks
The "gift" of being stuck
Mindfulness for writers
Strategies for moving forward
CNF Hybrid Publication Markets
Lesson 6 Summary
Lesson 6 Wrap Up Discussion