Unapologetically Fearless: Writing at the heart of an issue

On Saturday, March 21, from 1:00-4:00 pm, author Nikki Sambitsky will run Unapologetically Fearless: Writing at the heart of an issue and not around it. The workshop costs $60, and spots can be reserved here: https://www.storytellerscottage.com/bookings-checkout/unapologetically-fearless

This nonfiction workshop will focus on teaching writers how to be fearless when writing the truth, no matter what the truth looks like. So many times, nonfiction writers are afraid to let go and get to the heart of what it is they want to write about an issue, feeling, or experience. Because of this, they tend to write around the issue, rather than fearlessly, unapologetically writing about the issue. It is this kind of writing that makes writers feel uncomfortable because of its bluntness, grit, honesty, and intensity.

Through creative writing prompts and studying essays written by fearless writers, students will learn to put down on paper what they have been too afraid to write about, or what they have been having difficulty approaching within their own creative nonfiction work. They will look closely at essays written by fearless nonfiction writers to discuss what makes both the essays and the writers fearless, ways in which the writers approached difficult subjects, how they wrote about the topics they did, and the literary devices, forms, and structures that enabled them to gain emotional depth and power in their writing. During the second half of the workshop, they will use what they’ve learned from studying these essays to craft fearless work of their own through writing prompts, freewriting time, and/or stream of consciousness writing.

Students are asked to read the essays before coming to class and to print out copies to bring with them for discussion.

The Storyteller’s Cottage is located in a vintage Victorian house in the center of historic Simsbury, CT, and hosts all manner of immersive literary events throughout the year, including Agatha Christie inspired live murder mystery parties, Great Gatsby themed Jazz Supper Clubs, fascinating close-up illusions at Fine Parlor Magic nights, a Literary Dinner Party series on select evenings at midnight, and more.

The Storyteller's Cottage is located at 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Parking for The Storyteller's Cottage is free, and is available on the street in front of the building, and in the Fiddler's Green parking lot on Wilcox Street (behind the house). For more information, please call 860-877-6099 or visit www.StorytellersCottage.com.