Wednesdays from 1-2pm EST, for 6 sessions, October 18 to November 22

*No class Friday, October 6

8 students max, online

Inspired by the popular class Writing for Women on the Verge, this course will have readings and writing prompts that are specific to mothers. I know how hard it can be to stay in touch with your creative self when it feels like all your energy is being eaten by parenting duties. But I also know that writers have to write — even if you’re in a moment of you life when writing can only happen a little bit at a time.

Thus, this generative writing class for mothers (or caregivers) who feel like they miiiiiight be losing it. Instead of devouring your young... try this class first? Whether you're overwhelmed or stretched thin; wound up or worn out; blocked, stuck, or just feel like making some time to write each week, this class is a way to reconnect with your creative core. You can write in any genre you like—nonfiction, fiction, poetry, stream-of-consciousness, journaling, fragments, rants, letters, lists—whatever feels right each day. This class is about process, creativity, and making some space for your own voice. It's just an hour, and there's no homework. Sneak it in on your lunch break (or while the kids are watching a movie; they'll live). It'll be encouraging, regenerative, nourishing, and fun.

Each week we'll look at a very small piece of writing on a theme, discuss it a bit, and then do some writing.

The object of this class is to come away with 6 new pieces of writing, 6 starts, or 6 sections of something larger. There won't be any workshopping each other's work, or outside "homework." You don't have to have anything polished ready, and you won't have to share your work with your classmates unless you want to. Mostly, this is a space to get inspired, give ourselves permission to get unstuck and be raw and honest in our work, and to establish a good writing practice you can carry on with you after our 6 weeks are up.

About the Instructor

Amy Shearn is the award-winning author of the novels Unseen City, The Mermaid of Brooklyn, and How Far Is the Ocean From Here. She has worked as an editor at Medium, JSTOR, Conde Nast, and other organizations, and has taught creative writing at NYU, Sackett Street Writers Workshop, Gotham Writers Workshops, Catapult, Story Studio Chicago, The Resort LIC, and the Yale Writers' Workshop. Amy's work has appeared in many publications including the New York Times Modern Love column, Slate, Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Coastal Living. Amy has an MFA from the University of Minnesota, and lives in Brooklyn with her two children. You can find her at amyshearnwrites.com or @amyshearn.

Writing for Mothers on the Verge, 6 sessions with Amy Shearn