Class Description
Pimples, sex, ooze, pain, a dead nail, crooked toes, faulty organs, sweat glands. The physical body expresses its messiness despite our higher-self. But still, sometimes our characters or self-representation can come across formless. Maybe even dishonest, upholding the unrealistic beauty and ability standards of ableism.
This 90-minute, free seminar aims to bring “body honesty” to our prose. As a class, we’ll read honest body examples from Carmen Maria Machado and Jorge Luis Borges, both speaking to their body experience. Together, we will brainstorm embodied terminology that we can apply to our writing, and proceed to write our own body depictions embracing the mess and grotesque.
You can come to class seeking inspiration, ready to write from personal experience, or with a character in need of “physical” development. Be ready to acknowledge your own body and comfortable with an honest and celebratory mindset for disability with an instructor living with disability. Writers of any genre welcome.
Class Format
This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.
Covid-19 Update:
GrubStreet's space will be mask optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in-person.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.
Covid-19 Update:
GrubStreet's space will be mask-optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in person.
Space Accessibility:
Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.