Save your darlings

Save Your Darlings: A Generative Approach to Revision with Alissa Hattman

Tuesdays, March 29th-May 3rd, from 6:30PM-8:30PM PST 

10 person max

In The Art of Revision, Peter Ho Davies respectfully suggests a counter to the famous advice for revision, “kill your darlings”—perhaps, he says, we should instead think of the various ways we can “save our darlings.” In this 6-week class, we will take Davies’s advice and consider a less murderous approach to revision. What might we discover if we listened more carefully to our darlings? Are they perhaps misunderstood, misplaced, underrealized? What if we were more patient with the material that our instinct says to cut? What might this approach teach us about who we are as writers? Each week, participants will be given a revision prompt and/or strategy, a reading, and two workshop submissions from their peers. To inform our discussions, we will read early and late drafts of published writing alongside theories and tips on revision from seasoned writers. Feedback and workshop guidelines will be provided, but the class may choose collectively to change these guidelines if necessary. Class time will include workshop as well as discussion of readings and craft. Each participant will receive written feedback from the instructor and the other participants. Writers should have a short piece they consider done (or close to done), which can be an excerpted or self-contained draft of any genre. Class sessions will be held over Zoom. $220. All welcome. 

To register for this class, fill out the form below, and we will follow up with payment information to secure your spot. A $25 deposit will be required to secure your spot, or you can pay the full amount due, or half of the amount due, if you’re able. Otherwise, the balance will due before the first day of class.