The Emerging Story
Much of our writing comes from moments, experiences, something said, something seen. When asked where you get your ideas, you might say you open your eyes and look around. This workshop is about finding material right in front of you and using that as a springboard into larger stories. This is a nonfiction class and its principles are equally applicable to fiction, poetry, journalism, essay. Each day we will generate fresh work through writing sessions, lectures, prompts, and getting out of our seats to pick up signals from the real world. I recommend bringing two journals or notebooks, one for scribbling thoughts, observations, notes, and one for more careful writing. If a laptop is your tool of choice, feel free, but please still bring pen and paper. They’ll come in handy.
Craig Childs is a hopeless tracker of wonder, a writer and wanderer living in Colorado near the Utah border. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Outside, The New York Times, and he’s been featured on Radiolab and NPR’s Morning Edition. He has published more than a dozen books and is a contributing editor at Adventure Journal magazine.
