“Home” means different things to different people: variable or fixed, literal or metaphorical, a real place or something else entirely. What subject is easier to access—or more difficult? For many of us, writing about home requires distance, whether we are writing across geography or time, connecting place and identity, or delving into memory. On the other hand, few subjects are as personal, and it can be difficult to get started. In the first part of the class, we’ll discuss approaches several writers have taken to this rich topic (studying examples by Naomi Ayala, Nikki Giovanni, Emilia Phillips, and Jenny and Ron Slate). Then, with help of generative writing prompts and plenty of encouragement, we’ll all write together with the opportunity to share and comment on one another’s work.  While our examples draw from poetry, prose writers are welcome as well. “Writing About Home” is for both experienced writers and newcomers, and especially for those dealing with writer’s block, as “home” is a great starting point for writers struggling to discover their subject.

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• In-Class Writing Lift: Heavy

• Homework: None

• Workshopping Drafts: Optional

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