When? 5 Mondays: January 29-March 5 (no class on President’s Day) from 7-9pm

Where? EDCJCC Library and Classroom space

Class Description

Narrative non-fiction is writing based on fact but built with the traditional elements of story.  It’s a popular genre, allowing writers to observe the world, explore what they’re curious about, and then transform it into a compelling narrative to engage and challenge the reader.

In five two-hour sessions, participants will learn and practice the craft of writing narrative non-fiction through forms such as personal narrative, memoir, and persuasive essay. The class will learn and practice interviewing techniques as well as the skills of editing and revision. In addition to producing one or more narrative pieces for this class, students are invited to bring in one work in progress for discussion and evaluation.

We welcome both new and returning students to this class. For those who took the fall session, you will have an opportunity to explore a new piece of writing, and the extended format will allow for a session on the art and execution of the interview.

This class will be conducted as a small-group seminar and will be limited to a maximum of 12 students.

Instructor Biography

Peter Lovenheim is the author of seven books for the general reader from publishers including Random House and Penguin Books.  His most recent work of narrative non-fiction, In the Neighborhood:  The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Book Award Winner. His articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Parade, Moment, and other publications.  He lives in Washington, DC, and also teaches at the Writers Center in Bethesda, Maryland.