Prof. Bogard 3 credits

          In this advanced-level creative writing course we will strive to make our writing increasingly resonate, compelling, and satisfying. While building on our skills of reading as writers and of writing stories full of sensory detail and thoughtful reflection, we will work to improve our skills at revision, workshopping, and blending outside research with narrative, memory, and insight. Students may write any style of creative nonfiction they wish, but each will be required to workshop at least one of their essays at least twice. In this way, we will learn the invaluable skill of revision, and of what it means to push ourselves beyond the “pretty good” into the realm of “so good I would read it even if I didn’t have to for class.” We will use public readings at mid-semester and near the semester’s end to improve our ear for the music of language and to hone our attention to audience—including the essential value of conflict and humor, and of cutting “the boring parts” so that what’s left is prose that holds our attention, makes us smile, and leaves us to consider our life.

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