Reflective Writing for Migrants

Reflective writing for Otago migrants.

The aim of this course is to remind us how to write imaginative prose based on our own life experience. From these experiments, you might discover your love of poetry, your calling for story-telling, script writing or the novel. But first we learn how to let the creative imagination ignite, then figure out ways to harness its raw material in literary styles that have stood the test of time.

The course will focus on crafting memoir, reflective essay and travel writing. We will also examine the literary techniques that underpin these styles of writing, including, reflective and reflexive writing and how these are used as an alternative to journalistic or academic styles of presenting ideas. How to infuse the factual with the perspective of an idea, a premise or a passion.

We will explore the creative process with various reflective writing techniques such as automatic writing, reflective writing (external), reflexive writing (internal) - this will open up the channels of creative inspiration, taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary through the lens of the imagined, the inventive, the poetic and the sensual. We will use writing to create a path back into our own deepest memories and frame them in the language of the literary, ground them in a poetics of universality, and transform them into works of memoir, lyrical essay, travel narrative, cultural commentary, biography, short story or poem.

At the end of the course you are expected to present your final portfolio of work, including up to 3,000 words of creative writing, supported by 1,000 words of reflection on the learning process.

The course delivery:
There will be a weekly face to face meeting in Dunedin, or you can study the course online, with two Saturday workshops.

The fee for online study is $240
The fee for attending the workshops only is $40

Weekly course work: approx 4-6 hours
There will be weekly readings and assignments, including an online discussion forum. There will be tutor input in the form of written feedback, plus a one to one meeting in person or via Skype at the end of the course, to assess your final portfolio of creative writing.

Email: info@thewritersimaginarium.com stating your name and contact email and phone, and which course delivery option you would like to enrol in: face to face evening workshops, or as an online student. You will then receive details for payment options, including a weekly instalment plan as an alternative to a single payment. You will be required to pay $50 to secure a place on the course.

This course is supported by the Creative Communities Scheme, and the Dunedin City Library.

Course tutor: Maari McCluskey
Maari is a poet, writer, critic and qualified adult educator. She has been teaching creative and reflective writing for over ten years in UK and NZ. She published a book of her students writing in 2009, available at Dunedin and Otago University libraries, titled, 'Living Windows: Reflections and Stories from Otago Migrants.'