Writing Effective Nonfiction with Donald McNutt

This workshop focuses on composing clear and vigorous nonfiction. The only requirements are to write in the first person and to tell a true story about a specific subject. Creative nonfiction draws upon conventions we can find in essays, memoirs, autobiographies, as well as fiction, poetry, drama, or musical lyrics—any form of narrative that tells a story. We’ll incorporate strategies from these expressions. We’ll also work on the best ways to develop specific details, represent memories, and sustain an effective voice or tone.     

Participants will need to produce a first draft by March 18 (one week before the night of the workshop). Please send this to Donald over email: mcnuttdj@potsdam.edu. When meeting, first drafts will have been reviewed. He’ll provide written suggestions on each of them and use everyone’s work for further planning the workshop. The goal is to compose four polished double-spaced pages.

Please choose to write on any of these subjects: 1) Home—as a place or concept or an activity, 2) a specific location in the natural world and what it means to you, or 3) your personal response to any work of art. For instance, tell a story about how a novel, movie, song, painting, or performance has clarified or changed how you see the world. Be as creative as you like in drafting your work. Models for each approach are available upon request.