Write What You Don’t Know: Incorporating Research into Prose

One of the greatest things about writing is that one only needs a pen, paper, and their imagination to do it. But sometimes, looking only within can be a limiting factor in what we can express. This course encourages writers to turn their gaze outward, into the wide world of research, be it through trips to the library, time spent online, interviewing, traveling, and more. Over six weeks, we will read and discuss prose works that incorporate research in unique ways. Through generative writing and research prompts, participants will begin (or continue) to follow their questions and passions in order to enrich their written work. We’ll conclude with a show-and-tell, in which writers will be able to share some of what they’ve learned, and how they might end up using it. This course is designed for prose writers—stories, novels, essays, and hybrid work—who are ready to descend the rabbit hole, as well as those who are seeking the just-right factoid to drive their point home and make an impact on readers. We will focus on generating new material or incorporating research into works-in-progress, rather than revising or workshopping finished pieces. Open to writers of all experience levels. Class goals: • Read both fiction and narrative non-fiction pieces that employ research, with an eye for how the authors blend personal or creative content with research • Discuss the infinite forms that research might take in our creative work, and how to incorporate what we learn into our own writing • Casually share new writing and ideas in a supportive community environment Access Program We want our writing classes and seminars to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers writing class and seminar tuitions at a reduced rate. Most writing classes have at least one access spot available. Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at [email protected] if you have questions. Liaison position Every in-person class and seminar at Literary Arts has one liaison position. Liaisons perform specific duties for each class meeting. If you are a liaison for a class or seminar, the full amount of your tuition is covered by Literary Arts. Apply here for the liaison position.