Hi! So, I teach creative writing. I’m neurodivergent. My approach to teaching centers people like me. The reason for this is that neurotypical ways of teaching & learning have been centered since… well, forever. So, I’m doing my part to make a little space for all those who think and feel differently.
My next class, held in conjunction with The Loft Literary Center, is called WRITING AS A NEURODIVERGENT TEEN. It’s happening on Saturday, September 23rd in person at The Loft in Minneapolis. It’s for teen writers (under 18). You can sing up for it here: https://loft.org/classes/writing-neurodivergent-teen
If you’re not a teen, don’t worry, we have options for you, too. But first, about the Teen Class:
Have you struggled with traditional writing advice? Do you hate feedback and revision of any kind? Do you find it difficult to call yourself a writer because of these things? Good news: there’s nothing wrong with you, and you’re more of a writer than you’ve been led to believe. There is no single approach that works for everyone, no “normal” way of approaching writing craft.
Neurodivergent people communicate differently because our minds work differently. This can make life difficult, but it also makes writing easy (it’s easy if you write how your brain wants you to write).
In this class, we’ll learn to trust our instincts and embrace our differences, and in the process, the world of writing will open in miraculous ways as we explore and build a generative writing practice. We’ll affirm that the traditional critique/feedback method isn’t the only way to grow as a writer—that it may be what’s holding you back—and discover why our approach to writing needs to mirror our approach to life. There will be plenty of writing time during class and no negative critique whatsoever. This class is well suited to those who feel excluded by traditional approaches to learning creative writing.
Class Description for Writing As A Neurodivergent Teen (Said Shaiye // The Loft Literary Center)
As for the adult version of that class, I’m currently wrapping up the design of it. I’m using a platform called WET INK (https://wet.ink/). It’ll be an 8 week, self-paced, completely asynchronous class — meaning you can do it at your own pace, whenever you want. The basic principles of the Teen Class will be expanded on. This is very important work to me, so I’ll keep you updated on the process as it unfolds.
BE SURE to subscribe (so cliche, I know) to this website’s newsletter to get updated on when the class goes live!