6/19 Using Narrative Structure to Tell Your Personal Story
6/19 Using Narrative Structure to Tell Your Personal Story
You have a story to tell, but how best to get the scenes and memories on the page so that readers feel as if your lived experience is also theirs? In this class, we’ll explore the following three narrative structures in creative nonfiction that reveal personal and universal wisdoms: narrative, flash, and braid.
Class time will be used to examine these three different approaches to structure a narrative, the benefits of each, and then we will use this discussion to try our hand at the multiple possibilities structure affords in our own writing. You will leave this class with the start of three new essays or one essay with three different approaches and endless possibilities.
By the end of this workshop, writers will…
Apply a deeper understanding of the how structure can be used to access personal stories
Understand how to write essays in three different forms: narrative, flash, and braided
Examine how form adds to the meaning of your piece
Develop the start of several essays that access your subconscious mind and offer insight into the stories you want and need to tell
Utilize a variety of prompts, strategies and practical tips to increase your confidence and skills
Who is the Instructor? Melissa Fraterrigo’s forthcoming memoir-in-essays is The Perils of Girlhood (University of Nebraska Press, September 1, 2025). She is also the author of the novel, Glory Days (University of Nebraska Press), which was named one of "The Best Fiction of 2017" by Chicago Review of Books. Melissa is also the author of the short story collection, The Longest Pregnancy (Livingston Press). Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in a variety of journals including Puerto del Sol, Massachusetts Review, Fifth Wednesday Journal, Sou’wester and Shenandoah. She has twice been nominated for Pushcart Prizes.In addition to her publications, she has taught creative writing at Bowling Green State University, Southern Utah University, Penn State-Altoona, the Indiana Writers’ Center and IUPUI. Melissa currently teaching creative writing at Purdue University and is the founder of Lafayette Writers’ Studio.
To learn more or read her work visit melissafraterrigo.com.
When is this class offered?
This class is offered Thursday, June 19 from 7-9 p.m. EST. This workshop is open to writers of all levels.
Interested in the class but the date does not work for you? Don’t despair. All registrants will receive a recording of the class within three business days of the course.