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Writing & Literature
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Haiku: Short Form Poetry
Writing & Literature

Celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary with the most popular poetry form in the world. Haiku connect us more deeply to the natural world and can provide solace in difficult times. This supportive writing workshop is designed for folks who have taken haiku classes or have written haiku previously. We will wade further into the haiku pond and also study other related Japanese forms of poetry. Using writing prompts, both in-class exercises and ones that are designed as opportunities to enjoy being outside between classes, we will write haiku and other forms and workshop them together, if people so desire.
Spring 2022

Haiku in Nature Walks
Writing & Literature

Haiku, the most popular form of poetry in the world, can help us connect more deeply to the natural world. What a great reason to get outside! Join us for three haiku walks in inspiring green spaces, one in Arlington, one in Lexington, and one in Concord. At each spot, we’ll first learn how one of three Japanese aesthetic concepts, wabi sabi (appreciating beauty that is imperfect and impermanent ), yugen (quiet grace and mystery), and ma (an emptiness full of possibilities) influence the writing of haiku. Afterwards we’ll walk around, gather observations and insights, and try our hand at writing some haiku. All are welcome. Directions will be included in the confirmation email. April 30: Wabi Sabi and Haiku at the Arlington Reservoir May 14: Yugen and Haiku at Willard’s Woods, Lexington June 4: Ma and Haiku at October Farm Riverfront, Concord
Spring 2022

Flash Fiction: Bold. Brief. Beautiful.
Writing & Literature

Flash fiction isn’t just the short story’s kid sibling. From 6-word stories to drabbles to 1000-word genre questioners, these mini-masterpieces are a diverse family of sub-genres to read and write. Whether you’re a seasoned flash writer or a newbie looking to stretch your creative muscles, this class is a great opportunity to read, write, and learn about this blossoming genre. This class will include friendly group discussion of student work.
Spring 2022

The Writer's Workshop
Writing & Literature

Share your work with other writers and receive the benefits of a collaborative, supportive, and fun workshop. We’ll address craft elements and do in-class exercises designed to get you thinking about your work in new ways. We will shape our course around the work and ideas that students bring, focusing primarily on the workshop process: feedback and discussion of student work in order to help you reach your writing goals. This workshop welcomes poets and prose writers of all genres, all experience levels, and those at varying stages of the writing process. Both returning writers and new faces are welcome. Please come prepared to share a portion of a current project.
Spring 2022

Reading Novels for Greater Pleasure
Writing & Literature

The “other” Elizabeth Taylor is at last being acknowledged as belonging to the first rank of British novelists. Many consider the book Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont to be her masterpiece, a work of tremendous subtlety, wit, and tenderness about the elderly inhabitants of a London residential hotel. Book club members and other readers who want to get under the hood and see how great fiction works, join us to examine this late bloom in Taylor’s oeuvre as you deepen your appreciation and understanding of the novelist’s art. We’ll look closely at character, narrative voice and structure, detail, gesture, and dialogue. Note: Please read the first three chapters and bring the paperback Virago Modern Classics edition to our first class.
Spring 2022
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