Andrea A. Firth

Writer, Editor, Educator

Co-Founder, Diablo Writers' Workshop

Editor at the Brevity Blog
Contact: andrea@andreaafirth.com

NEW CLASS
Meaning Making and the Personal Essay
starting 2/7/22
Details Below

Bio

Andrea A. Firth is a writer, editor, and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is cofounder of Diablo Writers’ Workshop where she teaches creative writing, provides editorial consulting, and supports a vibrant writing community. She is also an Editor for the Brevity Blog. Andrea received her MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Saint Mary’s College of California where she also teaches design thinking and life design. Her focus is personal essay, and in 2021 she was a finalist for the Missouri Review's Perkoff Prize. She was a longtime contributor to Oakland Magazine and has published hundreds of articles in news outlets and magazines. Inspired by a handful of old family photos, Andrea is working on a collection of essays, Examples of her recently published work are listed with links below.

Meaning Making and the Personal Essay

Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:30 am PST
February 7 thru March 14

6 weeks/$350/on Zoom

The art and craft of the personal essay pivots on the question--What does it mean? Essay, as a genre, opens the door to exploration, investigation and questioning. What does my personal experience mean in the context of the rest of the wide world? Probing for answers and making connections is what brings meaning to essay making. Each week we'll read and discuss thought-provoking essays by writers such as Kiese Laymon. Marilynne Robinson, Jesmyn Ward, Beth Nguyen, Hilton Als and others. Through freewrites and facilitated workshops, we'll see how our personal experiences intersect with society and the environment and discover what that means. You will receive supportive feedback from your peers and written feedback from me. Open to creative nonfiction writers of all levels--some workshop experience is ideal.

Enroll Here

Co-Writing Time

Wednesdays, 9:00 am -10:30 am PST
Inspiration. Motivation. Community
FREE on Zoom

Zoom Link

I co-host Wednesday morning (PST) co-writing sessions with my colleague Janine deBoisblanc. After a brief check in, we get down to writing (audio muted, camera on or off). Generate new work or Revise a work-in- progress. We provide a prompt each week for those looking for a start, but this time and space is for you to write about whatever you choose. Sixty minutes later, I'll "ring the bell," we'll do a quick check back, and off you go. No need to register in advance. Same Zoom link each week