Every family has stories we inherit, stories we remember differently, and stories we're afraid to tell. How do we transform those experiences into compelling fiction or nonfiction while honoring both the art and the people behind it? In this generative workshop, we'll explore the creative and ethical challenges of writing family. Through excerpts by Michelle Zauner and Michael Cunningham, we'll examine how writers shape memory, emotion, and imagination into powerful narratives. Whether you're writing memoir, personal essays, short stories, or novels, you'll leave with practical strategies for turning lived experience into work that is both honest and artful.
Jarred Johnson, AKA JJ, grew up in the karst landscape of south-central Kentucky. He got his MFA in fiction from UNC Wilmington. He writes about rural people and forgotten places. His writing has been in the Oxford American and Bat City Review. He’s working on a sometimes-steamy novel about the metaverse and the end of coal mining, and he's excited to think about romance with you.
"Jarred (JJ) was incredible at synthesizing mindfulness into tangible, powerful writing prompts. He was attentive, direct and kind to his students. I walked away with a stronger ability to pay better attention to my surroundings; and, in turn, I look forward to seeing how that’ll transform my writing - for the better! Highly recommend!"
"JJ was a delight and shared a wealth of knowledge with us as students. I was so grateful not only for the material of the workshop itself but for the community he fostered as an instructor."
"Jarred was exceptional, and I left feeling ready to write."
