Writing Classes

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Welcome to the World of Writing Classes Here at the JCC!

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced writer, our courses cater to all skill levels, with classes focused on poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and more. In partnership with The New School and the New York Writers Workshop, our intimate class sizes make it possible for all participants to receive constructive feedback and connect with a community of like-minded writers both in-person and virtually.

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The New School Spring 2024 In Person Writing Classes

 

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Playwriting from Personal Experience
In Person. In this workshop, students will use personal experience as a springboard for generating original characters, stories, and imagery for the stage. Instructor Alice Eve Cohen will help you explore playwriting through writing exercises and readings. Students will read each other's work aloud, followed by guided feedback. Open to all levels. 3 Wednesdays, Mar 27–
Apr 10, 3:30–6:30 pm, $250.

 

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From Past to Page: Crafting Personal Narratives
In Person. This immersive nonfiction workshop welcomes writers of all levels, offering a comprehensive exploration from idea generation to crafting, drafting, and revising a polished personal narrative. Instructor Aly Tadros will lead weekly readings, craft lessons, and hands-on workshops to help enrich your understanding of nonfiction writing. By the end, you will walk away with at least one polished piece and an understanding of the next steps toward publication. 10 Mondays, Apr 1–Jun 17, 6–9 pm, $650.

 

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Picture Perfect Poetry: Create Poetry Inspired by Art
In Person. Learn about ekphrasis, the art of deciphering visual art through literary devices, in this five-week course led by award-winning poet Jason B. Crawford. Participants will unlock the literary possibilities of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and movie reels while creating their own ekphrasis poems. 5 Tuesdays, Apr 2–May 14, 6–9 pm, $325.

 

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New York Writers Workshop Spring 2024 Virtual Classes

The Magic of Images: A Free Poetry Workshop
Virtual. Engage in playful exercises designed to help you discover images from your life that sustain you. From these, you will write a poem guided by instructor Hermine Meinhard. The magic of images is their capacity to hold feelings and to connect us to individual moments. No experience in poetry is needed, only a desire to be in company, experiment, and learn. Sun, Mar 10, 7–9 pm, FREE.

Surprise Yourself, Surprise Your Reader: A Free Poetry Intensive
Virtual. Both Robert Frost and Flannery O’Connor made famous the statement: “no surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader." This generative two-hour workshop open to prose writers and poets is led by instructor Ruth Danon and provides ways to access that which is present in the mind but not yet on the page or even in conscious intention. Participants will leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of what's at stake for them as writers and with a rough draft that can lead to more finished material. Mon, Mar 11, 7–9 pm, FREE.

Poetry Heat: Writing and Craft
Virtual. Write a new poem every week and connect to language and experience in unexpected ways with instructor Hermine Meinhard. Through playful exercises, drawing on memory, dream, art, and objects, you will link to the vital, unconscious sources of your writing. Experiments with elements of craft, such as line, image and rhythm, will build your understanding of form. The class includes a one-hour private conference with the instructor. Beginners and experienced writers are welcome, please note that class size is limited to 10 students. 8 Wednesdays, Mar 13–May 8, 7–9 pm, $344 members/$384 public.

Breaking into Lines: A Poetry Workshop
Virtual. Lines are not merely prose texts broken into lines. In this workshop with instructor Ruth Danon, you will first generate language and then explore how the break into lines generates meaning. By the end of the workshop, participants will understand the deep connection between form and meaning embodied in the practice of writing in lines. Students will have one private conference and are invited to conduct a public reading curated by the instructor. Class size is limited to 8 students6 Mondays, Mar 18–Apr 29, 7–9 pm, $252 members/$288 public.

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