Amherst Way: Making the Changes that Make a Difference

INSTRUCTOR: Jessica Cole

TIME: Six Tuesdays, January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 6:00–7:30 p.m. CST/CDT

PRICE: Early bird price: $210 for members, $240 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Wednesday, January 11. After Wednesday, January 11: $240 for members, $270 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here.

LOCATION: Online via Zoom and Wet Ink

LEVEL: All Levels

CAP: 15

Whether you’ve never taken a writing class before and want a safe and engaging space to begin, or you’re hoping to jumpstart a stalled project, this class is for you. Too often, we try to make full 180° changes. But even the smallest change in direction results in an entirely new destination. That is why the Amherst Writers and Artists Method is so effective; it helps us make a habit of showing up for ourselves in small, sustainable ways that will result in big payoffs.

Once a week, we’ll gather over Zoom. The class revolves around timed writing prompts as kick starts. We only offer feedback to each other about what’s working or strong in a piece. The point here is to get out of our own ways, sidestep our perfectionist tendencies, get a quick shot of positive feedback, and keep going. The doing is the thing, and the doing of things is easier together. Weekly craft lessons will be posted on Wet Ink for students to engage with on their own time.

Bio: I’m Jessica Cole. In addition to being a mom to a ten-year-old, I have an MA from UC Davis where I wrote a poetic thesis and a PhD from the University of Tennessee where I wrote a novel for my dissertation. I’m glad I did those degrees. I now run an independent press, Bloomsday Literary, with my best friend from UT. But none of that was helping me when I wanted to sit down and write about my day, or even revise my novel. Then, in February, I was trained in the Amherst Writers and Artists Method, and my writing blossomed: prompts + short time periods of in-person/over-Zoom writing was the key, and a focus on what’s strong and working in the piece was like opening a magic door. Now that I’m certified I can teach anywhere, and I’m thrilled to be sharing this method with you all at Writespace.