Why write an essay?
To testify, to inform, to move the needle
In 48 hours, I’m going to teach the first session of a class on essay and memoir that I’m really excited about. You might be wondering, “Raf, should I take this class with you?”
My answer is that you probably should, but with one small caveat: be ready to confront your fears. (More thoughts on writerly fears here.)
Why, you ask?
Because fearless essays — not soundbites, not slogans — are what move the needle in troubled times.
This is a class for anyone who’s wanted to testify about their personal experience but feared others’ judgment.
It’s a class for anyone afraid to state an unconventional opinion for fear of cancelation.
It’s a class for anyone anxious to plum their past but nervous about what might emerge.
Regardless of who you are, who you’ve been, where you’ve been, or what you believe: this class is for you.
How It Works
Writing Past Fear: Essay and Memoir is a three-session class that functions like a play in three acts:
Act I/Week I
Identify the themes/ideas/memories that most preoccupy you & structure the essay you want to write about them. Then set a writing goal for the week.
Act II/Week II
Problem-solve challenges you’re encountering with your draft. Explore counterarguments and ethical issues. Address fears past and present. Then set a writing goal for the week.
Act III/Week III
Identify a strategy for completion of your essay. Identify its readership. Learn how to pitch for publication, and which editors/outlets to pitch to. Learn how to optimize writing platforms like this one to share your work.
There will be writing exercises designed to get you out of your head and into your work.
We’ll read published excerpts by the likes of Susan Sontag, Jeannie Vanasco, and John Jeremiah Sullivan.
We’ll share our work and receive feedback.
By the end of this class, you’ll have written an essay and written off your fear.
Ready to join us in class?
We’ll meet from 10:30-12:30 PT / 1:30-3:30 ET on Sundays 1/11, 1/18 and 1/25.
The cost is $249. To reserve your spot, please register below. You will receive a confirmation email with Zoom links upon receipt of your payment!
Register here for Writing Past Fear: Essay and Memoir.
Register with Venmo (Please include “Writing Past Fear” in payment memo.)
Yearly + Founding subscribers and Attention Economy subscribers qualify for a discounted rate: please drop me a line here for more info.
Are you a current student or experiencing financial hardship and interested in taking this class? Drop me a line here to learn about sliding-scale prices!
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