Saturday and Sunday, November 11th and 12th, 12 - 3pm Central, Virtual
why metaphors of our lives?
When combing through the raw material of our lives, metaphors can become our best friends, helping us to organize and orient our story. They can also be a doorway into places of darkness and tenderness, helping us to bring the reader along for the journey. Imagine a story about grief that draws strength from writing about octopuses, or a story about displacement that uses mangoes as the central image. The most magical part is that your strongest metaphors are the ones that are most deeply embedded in your own life. We don't have to go hunting for them, or make them up out of thin air. We just have to learn how to find them, and then how to crack open their fullest possibilities, allowing them to lead us somewhere we never could have gone alone.
what kind of writer should take this course?
Writers of all genres who are looking for a new way into writing about their lives, how to find a coherent structure for material they already have, or who have been feeling stuck.
what are the requirements?
A strong dose of curiosity, whimsy, and an openness to magic.
Comfort navigating an online learning platform and a computer with a camera and mic and a good internet connection.
how does this remote class work?
This course takes place on Elephant Rock’s course platform Mighty Networks. Our course has a designated course page with course materials, a private group chat, and an events tab where the workshop itself runs as a Zoom meeting.
The class will be generative, with lots of time for sharing and break-out rooms. You’ll receive live “on the spot” feedback from Arya and the rest of the group to help you locate the moments of resonance and opportunities for expanding your story beyond class.
what will writers take away?
-A rich and dynamic understanding of the "core metaphors" that make up your life
-Concrete ideas for integrating these "core metaphors" into new, or existing, stories
-Refreshed inspiration about your creative process, or ways to organize existing memoir material into cohesive and compelling forms
-Portals and processes to access new wellsprings of narrative
-A supportive community of fellow writers with whom you will co-create
-Brief individualized discussion of your work -Guidance from a seasoned instructor and reflections on your writing
who is the teacher?
This course is led Arya Samuelson, the winner of the CutBank’s Montana Prize in Non-Fiction awarded by Cheryl Strayed. Her work has also been published in Bellevue Literary Review, Columbia Journal, New Delta Review, Entropy, The Millions, The Manifest-Station, and elsewhere. She is a proud graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing Program from Mills College and has been studying at Lidia Yuknavitch’s school of Corporeal Writing since 2017. She teaches with LitReactor, Pioneer Valley Writers Workshop, Writers in Progress, and through her own teaching series, Writing as Ritual. Arya writes across all genres and is currently working on a novel and linked collection of essays. Her website is www.aryasamuelson.com.
what is the cost?
Elephant Rock tuition for this two part workshop is $179**. Under normal circumstances, full payment is due at least 15 days before the workshop begins. Extended payment plans may be available in cases of severe economic hardship. Please send an email to Elephant Rock to inquire.
**Elephant Rock tuition is nonrefundable but may be transferrable upon request.
what have other writers had to say about Arya?
“I’ve taken classes with Arya in the past and every single time I’ve worked with her I’ve been amazed by the insights I draw about my writing and myself. Arya creates a space where you feel safe and empowered to share your truth and your art. It’s really rare and special and consistently stimulates thought-provoking, memorable, constructive conversations”.
“Her portals (prompts) and feedback created a magical space for our writing”.
“I’m super excited about the stuff that emerged for me and I hope to continue using such brilliant techniques.”
“The writing is raw which helps me get down to discover that a particular ‘truth’ is often braids of conflicting sub-truths. My perspective shifts from feeling like a victim to feeling like a badass. I recognize how strong, or at least, how clear, I am.”
how do I sign up?
Please click below to complete course registration: