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Ever wondered how your favorite writers are able to stitch together an unputdownable essay? I did, too. So I studied my favorite essays for years, literally took them apart, line by line, scene by scene, until I discovered just what made them tick.

The good news is that I’ve discovered a secret (or two) that I’d like to share with you. This will save you from much of the guess work and revision headaches that come with drafting a successful longform essay.

“Shaping Creative Nonfiction with a Narrative Arc,” a two-hour webinar hosted by Women on Writing, features special readings, writing prompts, and the revelation of the secret behind a successful narrative arc, the glue that magically hooks the reader, followed by an exercise to help you develop your own. During our time together, I’ll also offer an overview of current markets publishing creative nonfiction, and by the end of class, you’ll have all the tools you need to finish your essay and a schedule of submission deadlines so you can share your words with the world. For an extra fee, I’ll critique up to 3 pages of your work-in-progress and give you a targeted submission recommendation within two weeks of the class.

As with all my webinars, I promise it won’t be all work. We’ll also laugh and have our share of fun! I’d love to see you there, so if you’re interested, please register here.

Special note: Thank you to everyone who kindly signed up for “The Poetry Express” webinar earlier this month. We had a blast, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the terrific poems generated during this event. In fact, it was so successful that we’re planning “The Poetry Express II,” in the fall, complete with all-new prompts and even more inspiration poems! Stay tuned for the details.

In the meantime, take care, and I wish you a productive summer of writing!

Ashley

POETRY EXPRESS: FIVE POEMS IN TWO HOURS with Ashley Harris

WEBINAR DATE: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

WEBINAR TIME: 2pm – 4pm ET

DURATION: 2 Hours

LOCATION: Live webinar via Zoom

FEEDBACK: The last 15 minutes of the lecture will be open to Q&A.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Do you long to write poetry but have always been intimidated? Or maybe you’re an experienced poet who just needs a little extra zoom. Either way, you’re invited to hop aboard the “Poetry Express” (exclusively offered through Women on Writing) where you’ll learn a nifty technique for writing an engaging free verse poem on the spot, followed by four additional prompts to generate even more. Your “ticket” will also include editing tips to sharpen your poems, along with an overview of markets and contests and best practice poetry submission tips that will significantly increase your odds of publication.

This live Zoom webinar starts and ends on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Time: 11 AM – 1 PM PT | 12-2 PM MT | 1-3 PM CT | 2-4 PM ET

The webinar can be viewed on a tablet, phone, or computer (both Mac and PC). The class will be recorded available for anyone who would prefer to view it at a different time and date.

CLASS AT A GLANCE:

Live Webinar: Poetry Express: Five Poems in Two Hours

Duration: 2 Hours

All aboard! In this express two-hour class, I’ll share excerpts from notable published poems that will inspire you to write your own. I’ll introduce you to the 3-step “Poetry Express” prompt guaranteed to bust through inhibition and help you generate an instant poem, followed by four equally inspirational prompts to write even more. I’ll then offer tips and tricks to help you polish your poems with an aim toward publication, along with an overview of current markets. By the end of class, you’ll have five draft poems and a schedule of submission deadlines, plus take-away wisdom to help you establish a lifelong poetry habit. For an extra fee, you can have your work critiqued me and receive targeted submission recommendations within two weeks of the class.

Topics covered include:

Overview – why you should write poetry
A review of published poetry to inspire you
3-Step “Poetry Express” Prompt (board a train, grab a window seat, and enjoy the ride!)
Four additional prompts to generate more instant poems
Tips to edit your poems for publication on matters of sound, turn, punctuation, line breaks, and titles
Overview of contests and markets, including best practice submission tips just for poetry
Tips and a list of recommended books to keep your poetry train going
Q & A

Materials Needed: Your favorite writing implement (pen, pencil, writing pad or keyboard) and your imagination.

ABOUT ME: Ashley Harris is a poet and teacher whose first poetry collection, Waiting for the Wood Thrush, described by acclaimed poet Ruth Moose as “witty, wise and overflowing with life and color” debuted in 2019 (Finishing Line Press). She has won the Mary Ruffin Poole Heritage Award from the North Carolina Poetry Society for her poem “A Widow on Chester Street,” and has written poetry for O. Henry Magazine, The Phoenix, Naugatuck River Review, Broad River Review, Kakalak, among many others. Since 2021, she’s served as a critique editor and judge for WOW’s quarterly fiction and nonfiction contests, and her favorite hobby, by far, is helping other writers achieve their publication dreams.

POETRY EXPRESS with Ashley Harris (Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 2pm – 4pm ET) Limit: 25 students. Early registration is recommended.

COST: $40, which includes one two-hour webinar with a 15-minute Q&A with me.

OPTIONAL CRITIQUE ADD-ON: A personal critique from me of two poems (one-page limit each) plus submission recommendations for $40 ($80 total).

I’d love to see you there! Interested? Register here.

Let’s Talk Creative Nonfiction on Friday, June 20, 2025, 2 – 4 pm ET!

You’re Invited to Hop Aboard the WOW Poetry Express on May 14, from 2 – 4 pm ET!