Sarah Selecky Writing School

An online creative writing school that approaches writing as an art, and also as a contemplative practice. We believe that skill comes from study, that inspiration comes from love, and that both are necessary.

  • Home
  • About
    • The School
    • Staff & Associates
    • Faculty
    • Guest Contributors
    • Our Alumni
  • Core Programs
    • The Story Course
    • The Story Intensive
    • Course Calendar
  • Offerings
    • All Offerings
    • Daily Prompts
    • Writing Contest
    • Little Bird Stories
    • Writing Practice Sessions
    • Special Programs
    • Consultations with Sarah
    • Free Resources
  • Blog
  • Connect
  • Student Login

NEWS: What we’ve been up to lately.

May 30, 2020 by Sarah Selecky Leave a Comment

The lilacs are here, and Prince Edward County smells like heaven. And yet, as I write this, tragedy surrounds us. My thoughts are with those who are grieving.

I thought it was high time for a check in.

Unlearning

I’ve been looking more deeply at what I’ve internalized about literature from my own education.

In particular, I’m looking at the way “tight, muscular prose” was celebrated, while cyclical, elliptical, non-linear prose style was often seen as ineffectual or unskilled.

My unlearning continues. Lately, I’ve been focusing more on writing that has been underserved. I’m exploring underrepresented models of story structure. I started updating the readings, reading debriefs, and curriculum accordingly in the Story Course last fall.

The Great Reordering

We were supposed to film new videos for the Story Course and release a new version this summer, but we were hit by Covid-19.

As we were all reeling from shock and grief, we postponed the Little Bird contest and opened Writing Through Uncertainty.

Writers wanted to gather together for the long term, so we made a membership site for peer-to-peer learning. (It’s not ready for the public yet, but I hope to open the doors this summer.)

We’re also extending the registration deadline for the Story Intensive, to allow writers a little more time among all the uncertainty of the past few months. Regular registration will now close on July 1.

Tiny but mighty… and still tiny

Because we’re a tiny team, we’re able to pivot like this. Our size also means that sometimes we have to reset our deadlines, because we aren’t big enough to do everything at once.

I wanted to announce the updated Story Course today. But that release has been pushed back a little.

The new course materials have been installed in the Intensive classroom, so if you’re in the Story Intensive this year, you will be working with the updates.

It is my wish that with the voices added to the updated version of the Story Course, more writers will feel seen, welcomed and excited to learn their craft with us.

Talk to me

In the meantime, is there anything else that you think we are missing? Are there specific questions you have about our school, and how it might work for you?

And if you do want to take the Intensive, is there anything I can do to make it feel more welcoming for you this year?

My Story Intensive office hours are open — feel free to schedule a call.

Wherever you are, I hope you feel cared for this week.

Love,

ps — We’re also considering offering a weekly memoir writing class for seniors. This will be a little different than our other live classes — instead of an online discussion forum, conversations will happen “in-person” on weekly calls. If you’re a senior interested in finding out more, please email [email protected] and let us know.


You Might Also Like:

  • Are you a Grounded Fantasist?Are you a Grounded Fantasist?
  • Organize your story drafts: a 3-step tutorialOrganize your story drafts: a 3-step tutorial
  • Stop everything. Back up.Stop everything. Back up.
  • My secret writing device: escapism.My secret writing device: escapism.

Category: News & Announcements

Love what you just read? Subscribe, get updates, keep in touch.

Newsletter/Bloom Replacement

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The School

  • About The School
  • Staff & Associates
  • Faculty
  • Guest Contributors
  • Our Alumni
  • Daily Prompts
  • Writing Contest
  • Little Bird Stories
  • Writing Practice Sessions
  • Special Programs
  • Consultations with Sarah
  • Free Resources
  • Letters
  • Connect
  • Student Login

Core Programs

  • The Story Course
  • The Story Intensive
  • The Story Workshop
  • Course Calendar

Connect

Email: [email protected]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Photography by Michelle Yee

Terms & Conditions

Our school welcomes people of all identities, races, abilities, and interests. We share an inclusive, generous, and heart-centered point of view, and are committed to cultivating a culture of empathy and insight.

Our headquarters are on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee Peoples, adjacent to Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) territory. We invite you to search your own address and acknowledge the territories you are on.

Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved