Class Description
The best travel writing takes readers on a journey that is not only geographic but narrative. This intensive course in literary travel writing will introduce writers to key ways to transform their travel experiences into compelling narratives in the forms of short essays or memoirs. Exercises will explore approaches to chronology, identifying the narrative thread, creating sensory description, recreating dialogue, and how language can be used to create a sense of place. Excerpts from travel essays by writers such as Pico Iyer and Elizabeth Gilbert will be discussed. Bring a notebook and pen (or a laptop if you prefer) and expect to read some of your in-class writing aloud. You will leave the class with a strong outline and some early drafting of a travel essay.
Part of GrubStreet's Special Topics in Nonfiction, a group of classes dedicated to exploring different craft elements of creative nonfiction. For more class offerings, click here.
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 using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!