Online Classes
Fragment by Fragment - offered through The International Association for Journal Writing (IAJW)
These six-week workshops, each limited to six participants, are for seasoned as well as emerging writers who are considering a creative nonfiction venture worthy of development and commitment, whether for publication, performance or personal legacy. Begin with a journal fragment you wish to focus on. Through conversation and literary example, we will find a personal voice, and the ingredients of a personal narrative. The developed piece will establish a clearing, drawing other fragments to it and informing new ones.
The class will be a combination of one-on-one conversations and group calls. Writers will post work weekly to a group area for all to read. Postings should be no longer than 1,000 words. I will respond to each student’s work every other week in a phone chat and lead a group phone discussion of the most recent submissions in the alternating weeks. Together, we will create the beginnings of unique, compelling stories by learning to delve deeply and reach what is most heartfelt and most interesting. In all cases, expect to get to the heart of the material—what is it you’re trying to say and who’s saying it.
Testimonials
"Where to begin? Ask Kate. Fragment by fragment she’s listened to my story, my voice, with a profound respect, not only for me, the writer, but also for the story itself. With an editor’s eye, a listener’s ear and a writer’s heart, she shines the light on the stories within the story and the places your own voice can take you if you’ll follow it. I can’t thank her enough.”
Penelope Mayer, DeLand, FL
"Kate Lardner is an exceptional coach—gifted with the ability to know when to push a student, and when to be patient and let them explore and discover what they have to say. Kate has inspired me to delve deep and bring forth the truest words I've ever written. I was on the verge of giving up writing when I met Kate, now I'm excited and feel confident that I do indeed have a story worth telling and the ability to do so.”
Cara Landwehr, Enumclaw, WA
"You can count on things like this (a partial list) happening when you work with Kate Lardner: your writing transforms almost without you realising it, you find your voice, you learn strategies for when you’re stuck, she’ll know (before you) if you need to slow down, speed up, write more, write less, play more, relax more, push forward more. You’ll see moving, exciting, fun, profound stories emerge from her questions about things you’re convinced are insignificant. When Kate looks at and listens to words, she sees things that we don’t. She also sees what’s not there. Her intuition will bring your pieces to breath-taking places. Her mastery will help you with yours. But you will need to trust her and trust her process. Those of us that did, (and put aside what we thought should be the process) have found ourselves on a thrilling journey—one we could not have conceived on our own.”
Marianne Vincent, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Six-Week Online Class Fee: $350