Flash: An Intro to Brief Literary Essay Forms

Essayist Brenda Miller writes that paying attention to form in creative nonfiction can invite the writer to make “inadvertent revelations where the writer no longer seems in complete control.” She says, “Form essentially becomes the writer’s inky courage.”

In this two-day remote workshop we’ll investigate three forms of flash creative nonfiction: the lyric essay, the braided essay, and the hermit-crab essay. Through a series of writing exercises, students will generate a list of potential essay ideas and identify key details and imagery to help them dig into the heart of those stories. Instructor Rob Williams says, “We’ll then play around with various flash forms, to see which form best fits the story you want to tell.”

Through writing exercises, opportunities for optional sharing, and brief but detailed instructor feedback in a warm and friendly community of writers, participants will leave class with a greater understanding of some brief literary essay forms and at least two “seeds” or starts of your own essays.

About The Writing Salon's Remote Classes

Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, The Writing Salon is running all classes in a remote learning format. You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.