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Writing Stories About Ourselves

Said Sayrafiezadeh

4.2

Based on 93 ratings

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Said Sayrafiezadeh

In this course, creative nonfiction writers will explore traditional storytelling methods, especially those which overlap between fiction and memoir. By looking at examples from a wide range of genres, including film, song, painting—even the theme music for Jaws!—we’ll practice exercising the creative muscle that sees ourselves as characters and the experiences we’ve had as tales. We’ll focus on critical elements, like how to begin a story, what makes for worthy content, the essential use of detail, the strengths and limits of dialogue, the power of the white space. The ultimate goal is for us to become aware of an “audience” when we write, so that the documentation of our lives will begin to resemble a “performance” crafted onto paper rather than a private entry in a journal.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What Can We Learn From Fiction?

In this week, we’ll learn what sorts of techniques we can borrow from fiction and how to overlay them onto our personal stories.

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Develops creative storytelling abilities by examining narrative structures and techniques

Teaches how to craft compelling stories by using literary devices and elements from various artistic mediums

Provides insights into the art of storytelling by analyzing works from a range of genres

Suitable for creative nonfiction writers who want to enhance their craft

Prerequisites may be required, as the course assumes a level of writing experience

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Reviews summary

Crafting personal stories into compelling narratives

According to learners, this course offers a unique and insightful approach to writing memoir and personal stories. Students particularly appreciate the instructor's guidance and the focus on viewing one's life as a narrative performance rather than just a journal entry. The course successfully teaches techniques borrowed from fiction and film to build vivid scenes and compelling narratives. While many find it highly engaging and transformative for their writing, some reviewers note that it might be better suited for beginners or those new to creative nonfiction, and a recurring point is the limited feedback provided, which some felt hindered deeper learning.

More suitable for those new to creative nonfiction.

"As someone who has written memoir before, parts of this felt a bit basic."

"I'd recommend this highly for someone just starting out in personal essay or memoir."

"Felt like a great introduction, but I was hoping for slightly more advanced techniques."

"A solid foundation, especially if you haven't thought about structure or audience before."

Assignments encourage practical application and skill building.

"The writing exercises were challenging in a good way and pushed me to actually write."

"Each week's assignment built well on the previous one, helping me practice the techniques."

"I feel like I have practical tools now for opening a story and using dialogue effectively."

"The assignments forced me to look closely at my own writing habits and improve them."

Instructor is praised for insights and teaching style.

"The instructor is fantastic, his lectures are filled with wonderful insights and examples."

"I found the professor's approach very inspiring and his passion for the subject is evident."

"The weekly lessons felt very personal and direct, like having a great writing mentor."

"His use of examples from film and music really made the concepts stick with me."

Offers a fresh take on writing personal stories.

"I loved the idea of seeing my life as a character's journey, it totally shifted my perspective."

"Using fiction techniques on memoir felt revolutionary and helped me structure my writing."

"The course helped me look at my own stories through a different lens, like training my eye like a filmmaker."

"Learning to approach my life stories as a performance for an audience changed how I drafted."

Lack of instructor or peer feedback noted by students.

"My main disappointment was the lack of feedback on assignments, which is crucial for writing."

"I wished there was more interaction or peer review opportunities to get other perspectives."

"It's hard to know if I'm applying the concepts correctly without any comments on my work."

"Could use more guidance on how to improve my writing based on the exercises."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing Stories About Ourselves with these activities:

Review Basic Grammar and Punctuation

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Strengthen your foundational writing skills by reviewing key grammar and punctuation rules.

Browse courses on Grammar

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Go over grammar and punctuation lessons from previous courses or materials.
Complete practice exercises to test your understanding.

Write Daily Journal Entries

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Cultivate your observational skills and generate raw material for your creative writing.

Browse courses on Journaling

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Set aside 15-20 minutes each day for freewriting.
Write without judgment, capturing your thoughts, experiences, and observations.

Explore Online Resources on Creative Nonfiction

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Supplement your learning by exploring reputable online resources dedicated to creative nonfiction.

Browse courses on Online Learning

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Search for online courses, workshops, or articles on creative nonfiction.
Identify credible sources and allocate time for reviewing their content.
Take notes and apply the insights gained to your own writing.

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Study a Classic Novel's Narrative Structure

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Analyze a classic novel's narrative structure to gain insights applicable to creative nonfiction.

View The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel on Amazon

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Choose a well-respected novel known for its narrative excellence.
Read the novel attentively, paying attention to the plot, characters, and setting.
Identify and analyze the narrative techniques employed by the author.

Read a Landmark Book on Creative Nonfiction

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Familiarize yourself with the nuances of fiction writing for creative nonfiction.

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Select a well-regarded text on creative nonfiction.
Allocate 3 hours per week for the next 2 months to attentively read the book.
Take notes, underline, and reflect on the strategies employed by the author.

Write a Personal Memoir Essay

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Apply your understanding of narrative structure to craft a compelling personal memoir.

Browse courses on Personal Narrative

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Identify a compelling personal event or experience.
Outline the narrative arc using the techniques discussed in the course.
Write the first draft, paying attention to vivid imagery and sensory details.
Revise and edit your work, seeking feedback if possible.

Join a Writing Critique Group

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Enhance your writing skills by receiving constructive feedback from peers.

Browse courses on Peer Feedback

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Identify a writing group that aligns with your interests.
Attend regular meetings and participate actively.
Provide thoughtful feedback to other members.

Offer Feedback to Aspiring Creative Nonfiction Writers

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Enhance your writing skills by providing valuable feedback to other aspiring writers.

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Join online or offline writing communities.
Offer to read and provide constructive feedback on the work of others.
Be specific and provide actionable suggestions to help writers improve their craft.

Career center

Learners who complete Writing Stories About Ourselves will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Memoirist

Memoirists write about their own lives and experiences. This course can equip you with the skills necessary to craft compelling personal narratives that resonate with readers by teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales. You will learn to develop captivating stories, effectively communicate your ideas, and engage your audience.

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Journalist

Journalists are responsible for gathering, analyzing, and reporting information to the public. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to craft compelling narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you develop the skills needed to captivate audiences and deliver impactful stories.

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Screenwriter

Screenwriters are responsible for creating the stories and dialogue for films and television shows. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you develop the skills needed to create compelling stories that resonate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Novelist

Novelists create fictional stories that entertain and engage readers. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you develop the skills needed to create compelling stories that resonate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Content Writer

Content writers create written content for websites, blogs, articles, and other forms of media. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Copywriter

Copywriters create written content for marketing and advertising purposes. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create written content that explains complex technical information. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Grant Writer

Grant writers create written proposals to secure funding for various projects and organizations. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Speechwriter

Speechwriters create written speeches for public figures. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in various academic subjects. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Freelance Writer

Freelance writers craft compelling narratives that captivate readers. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating stories and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Therapist

Therapists help people with mental health issues. This course may prove useful in the pursuit of this career by honing your ability to develop captivating narratives and effectively communicate your ideas. By teaching you to see yourself as a character and your experiences as tales, this course can help you create compelling personal narratives that resonate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Therapist

Reading list

We've selected 17 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Writing Stories About Ourselves.

Creative Nonfiction

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Covers the basics of writing creative nonfiction, including finding your voice, telling your story, and using language effectively. It great starting point for writers who are new to the genre.

Writing Stories About Ourselves

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Crafting personal stories into compelling narratives

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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