Writing about Illness: Creating Art and Wisdom from the Night-Side of Life

Considering how common illness is, how tremendous the spiritual change that it brings . . . it becomes strange indeed that illness has not taken its place with love, battle, and jealousy among the prime themes of literature.  

- Virginia Woolf

“Since Woolf wrote these words there has been a burgeoning of illness literature,” says instructor Gila Lyons, “literature that chronicles the experience of the body and mind in sickness, and sometimes the journey back to health, other times the adjustment to a new normal.”

In this online class, we’ll read and discuss some of the most evocative illness and healing writing of our time, including work from Porochista Khakpour, Esmé Weijun Wang, and Semezdin Mehmedinović. We’ll explore the sub-themes of illness, including disability, mental health, chronic pain, and disparities of health outcomes and access to treatment across various populations. Guided by readings, discussions, and in-class exercises, we’ll write our own journeys through “the night-side of life,” as Susan Sontag describes illness, while we consider craft elements such as tone, pacing, dramatic structure, and point of view. There will be opportunities to share writing and receive feedback from the class and instructor, if desired.

“Because of the sensitive and personal nature of this nonfiction content, extra care will be taken to ensure a safe, supportive, and confidential class environment,” Gila says. “Writers will develop an appreciation for and understanding of illness writing in the literary canon, and create art and wisdom from their own often chaotic and overwhelming experiences of illness.”

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.