SPRING DISCOUNT: Use code SPRING16 at registration checkout to get 10% off tuition for this course.

Romantic love. Marriage. Heartbreak. Family. Friendship. Conflict. Loss. Pain. Death. Yes! In Ethan Gilsdorf’s essay class, you will learn how to write a short personal essay about a significant and complex relationship in your life–an essay that hopefully will see the light of day published in a magazine, newspaper, literary journal or website. You’ll model your essays after work published in such places as the New York Times ”Modern Love” column, The Boston Globe Magazine’s “Connections” column, Salon’s “Life Stories,” “Love & Sex” and “Parenting” columns, and Psychology Today’s “Two Minute Memoir,” with an aim to publish your work there. Via daily exercises, you will learn the building blocks for writing these relationship essays, a toolbox of craft tools which include: brainstorming a compelling topic and considering ways to narrow the focus and angle of your personal story; honing in on the main theme, plot, and character arc; characterizing yourself and others; writing compelling scenes and seamless passages of reflection/musing/making sense; and moving your narrative through time (aka “time travel”). By the end of this intense workshop, you will have completed a draft of at least one essay in the 1,000 to 3,000 word range, as well as written several passages (inspired by the exercises) which may be used for your final relationship essay, or future essays. These exercises, as well as a draft of an entire essay, will be shared with the class for feedback. Ethan will also have one email conversation with you in which he will offer suggestions for revision on the final essay. He will also offer advice on submitting these essays to publications.