Plot in the Personal Narrative

Plot is not simply a tool used in fictional writing. All stories, fiction and true, need a plot. The plot provides structure and cohesion and helps the writer convey to the reader a specific message.

In this 90 minute workshop we’ll examine multiple personal essays and discuss the ways the author has used plot to move their story forward and create emotional resonance with the reader (that’s us!). Then we will look at our own works in progress and identify our plot (or lack thereof).

Through readings, writing prompts, and generative conversation, participants will leave this workshop with clear understanding of what plot looks like in the personal essay and how to create it out of our own personal experiences.

About Julia

Julia Nusbaum is the Founder and Editor in Chief of HerStry. She is a Pushcart nominated writer with nonfiction and fiction appearing in Oranges Journal, Mutha Magazine, Peach Velvet Magazine, Reliving History Magazine and elsewhere. She is an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at Columbia College Chicago where she also teaches undergraduate English. She currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her partner and son. To read her work go to julianusbaum.com.