The week of July 14-18, I’ll be teaching a class at The Loft in Minneapolis titled “Will I Always Be Sad? Writing Through Grief and Loss.” This class is aimed for teens ages 15-17. It runs from 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. each day that week.

Here’s the description:

“Essays hinge on a transformative moment—the point in which the author changes and gains a new perspective on life. The death of a loved one is a dramatic example of a transformative moment, and can provide rich, emotional material for an essay. In this class, we will examine how essayists have written about death in a way that’s both personal and universal. We will also explore ways of writing through grief and loss in our own lives.”

Why take this class? I’ll give you three reasons:

1) Get out of the house! By mid-July, the parental units and/or siblings might be driving you crazy. The Loft is a supremely cool place, located on Washington Avenue on the north side of downtown Minneapolis. It has a coffee shop, cafe, and plenty of areas in which to just hang out and write or read a book. It’s easy to get to, just a couple of blocks off I-35. Do something just for you.

2) Develop your writing skills. I wish I had had focused writing instruction while I was still in high school. My growth as an author has been slow and steady; I really didn’t learn how to write creatively until I was in my mid-20s (after taking a class at The Loft!). Give yourself a head start. The literary world is always looking for talented, young writers.

3) Do something out of the ordinary. I admit the topic of my class isn’t a traditional writing class topic. But it’s what I know, and I want to pass that knowledge on to others. I guarantee you will leave this class with an “a-ha!” moment about your writing and perhaps even your life.

I’d love to see you in my class! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.