I didn’t realize that her teaching would lead me to fall in love with writing all over again after two more classes with her (one workshop, one studio), I’ve gained the confidence to “finish” a novel first draft for the NaNoWriMo competition, and to submit my first creative nonfiction piece for publication. I was working full time, but trying to figure out a way to stay at home and include writing as a significant part of my life. ![]() When I first signed up for a short class with Amy, I thought it was to continue my lifelong flirtation with creative writing. As someone working on a memoir with writing time stolen from the corners of my life, Amy’s workshops have been invaluable in keeping me focused and taking my craft to the next level. What I liked best about the workshops is that they combine the best of a great college English class, in the form of inspiration from published authors, a practical discussion of creative writing tools and techniques, and the input on your own writing from both Amy and classmates. I’ve been fortunate to take two workshops with Amy, and have learned so much about writing from her. The writers in the Champaign-Urbana area are so lucky to have a teacher like Amy Hassinger, who runs small writing workshops that are thoughtfully structured, moderately priced, and filled with other enthusiastic writers. It was very effectively designed, and because enrollment was kept at eight there was ample time for a good discussion of each student's work. The course was basically three-pronged: we discussed imagery in selected prose and poetry readings, we wrote, and we discussed our writing. I found the format of Amy Hassinger's creative writing workshop, "Writing the Image," powerful both in improving my awareness and use of imagery in my writing and my sensitivity to it in my reading. Shari Fox, Senior Vice President, University of Illinois Foundation I am always interested in the next class! Finally, these classes help me build my own community of writers for consultation and support. Through examples on the page, discussion, and exercises that push me to try techniques that are new to me, she helps me develop skill as a writer, and I can see the results in future drafts. ![]() Amy Penne, Ph.D., Professor of EnglishĪs a novice writer, I find Amy's classes helpful in a few important ways. I'm grateful for her wisdom and fully intend to take another class with her when she's offering them. By hosting these classes in her home, she invites a more intimate sense of community among writers and facilitates powerful discussions about the art and craft of writing. She brings her own insights as a writer to the class but opens it up with great mentor texts from other professional writers. ![]() Amy is a skillful teacher in the way Eastern sages are skillful.
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