I believe in approaching all works as literature for two main reasons:

first, to avoid undermining the creative merit of any work,

 and secondly, to indirectly teach the elements of literary craft.

-CoCo

Writing for the Life of It!^TM University

Courses, Retreats and Workshops

in Creative Journal Writing

and Literary Studies

Provided by CoCo Harris, MFA

~Creative Journal Writing Courses~

Writing for the Life of It!Ô  The Basic Course

This is a course teaching 9 techniques of creative journal writing including Freeverse, The List, Unsent Letters, and more. It also encompasses instruction on the many facets of the journal and how it can be used for enhancing creativity, personal discovery, generating memoir, life management, and health and therapeutic purposes.  Experience how personal writing can be as reflective as it is forward thinking. Experience the power of journaling as a Life tool.

Writing for the Life of It!Ô for Teens

This course covers The Basic Course

with exercises tailored particularly for teens. 

Writing for the Life of It!Ô for Couples

This course covers The Basic Course with additional exercises for increasing constructive communication between partners. Participants will learn how to keep a mutual journal, and thereby fostering creativity and intimacy by way of personal writings.

Writing for the Life of It!Ô for Seniors

This course covers The Basic Course with additional exercises for generating reflective entries and memoir material for recording your personal story.

~Literary Studies~

Literature of Letters

The reading and discussion of epistolary literature, as well as collections of letters, to examine the fiction and nonfiction forms of letter writing and examining this landscape of our collective literature.

Literature of Essays

A survey of literary essays and how they provide a distinct voice of nonfiction writing chronicling the human experience and perspective. This course covers writing exercises for generating personal essays.

Literature of the Diary

A study of the diary as works of literature.  This includes the reading and discussions of published journals of historical and contemporary figures. This course is an examination of the diary and how it has been used as a source of history, activism, change and personal discovery.

Literary Adaptations

A course studying literary fiction (short story and novels) adapted into screenplays and movies. These may include various classics of different genres as well as contemporary works and a study of the manner in which they were adapted for the screen. This includes a study of the works as well as viewing of the films with discussions.

The Art of the Memoir

An examination of story and character through the memoirs of various authors; and studying memoir as a way to explore literary craft of autobiographical writing. This course covers writing exercises for generating your personal story, your memoir.

Excellent for Schools, Organizations, Teen Groups, Book clubs and other Discussion groups,

Church Groups, Garden Clubs, Senior Groups, Craft Clubs

 Retreats, and

Individual Contemplation

For more information contact CoCoHarris@gmail.com