Let’s Write Some Creative Nonfiction! Join me on Friday, March 20, 2026 for a Special Workshop!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Writers! I don’t know about you, but my webinar for Women on Writing, “Writing is for the Birds,” on February 17 sure made me ready for spring! We had a great session with students from all across the United States, and even 2 from the United Kingdom! I was so honored to be among such talented people — the fact that they loved birds as much as I did was the icing on the cake. (Make that the “suet” in the cake). 🙂

On March 20, I’m leading an encore presentation of my popular workshop, “Shaping Creative Nonfiction with a Narrative Arc,” where we’ll discuss my tried-and-true method of how to write a compelling nonfiction piece that readers simply can’t put down. And for all the bird lovers out there, at least one of our sample readings will feature some of our favorite avian friends — the ruby-throated hummingbird.

SHAPING CREATIVE NONFICTION WITH A NARRATIVE ARC with Ashley Harris

WEBINAR DATE: Friday, March 20, 2026

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. Students can also send questions ahead of time, to be addressed during the lecture.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: So, you’re fascinated with backyard birds. Or breadmaking. Or growing figs. How do you write an essay that weaves your obsessions with larger questions such as joy, friendship, or even grief? It’s easy—employ the power of the narrative arc, a secret weapon that most writing courses never cover. In this class, we’ll use short writing prompts to help you identify your most urgent passion and then we’ll cover an easy technique that will bring your essay to life with narration. Finally, we’ll discuss tips for completing, polishing, and submitting your work for publication.

What other writers have said: “Ashley, I thought your class (Shaping Nonfiction) was fabulous! I’m thrilled I did sign up and look forward to working with you more. So exciting!” —Mary Anne Trause

“Thanks so much, Ashley!! This was super helpful and enjoyable, and I can’t wait to get started using your ideas and tips. I’ve read a number of books on writing technique and have taken quite a few writing courses. I am also a professional content editor. I love “nuts and bolts” material, and your workshop did not disappoint!” —Marlene Martzke

“Ashley, thanks so much for a wonderful learning experience. Your prompts have given me ideas for multiple essays. I’m hoping to take your humor workshop, too.”—Diane Judge

“Thanks for the recording of Shaping Creative Nonfiction with a Narrative Arc. I listen and then I watch and listen again. I’m revising a memoir. Your suggestions are very helpful. Hoping I’m on the right track! I’ve done many workshops on Zoom. Yours by far has been the most helpful to me!” –Robin Allen

“Thanks so much for this seminar and for the readings you shared. I hugely enjoyed both essays, and not only was the class chock-full of practicable lessons, but your writing prompts ended up generating two full pages of really interesting material I had no idea was in me!” – Râna Campbell

“Shaping Creative Nonfiction with a Narrative Arc,” a live Zoom webinar. starts and ends on Friday, March 20, 2026.

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 instructor will record the class and have it available for anyone who would prefer to view the class at a different time and date.

Format
This course is offered via Zoom webinar. Webinars are workshops given online, where you can view the instructor and websites/materials she shares on her screen, making it an interactive experience. Webinars make learning from your home or office convenient.

The class features special readings (optional advance readings and in-class excerpts), 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. 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 also critique your work provide a targeted submission recommendation within two weeks of the class.

Topics include:

  • Short writing prompts to identify your obsession
  • How to tease out the deeper meaning of your obsession—the main question of your essay
  • EXPOSED! The secret to a successful narrative arc that keeps the reader engaged, followed by sample arcs from published essays
  • How to develop an arc that weaves your obsession with your main question
  • How to supplement your essay with authority
  • Bringing it all together – elements of a satisfying ending that echo with the reader
  • Overview of the current market for essays, literary and commercial
  • Q & A

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:  Ashley Harris is a freelance writer and editor with countless obsessions, from cherries and gardening to cooking and fine art. With a career that includes more than 100 bylines, she has written on these topics and more for NBC News, Poets & Writers, Real Simple, Healthline and Food and Gardening Network, among many others. Twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize, most recently for The Summer of My Shoe Obsession (N.C. Literary Review, Summer 2024 Print edition), she is also a two-time recipient of the Doris Betts Fiction Prize. 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.

To register, please click here and scroll to the bottom of the page. Hope to see you there!

Wishing you a great week ahead of warmer temperatures and loads of writing inspiration!

Ashley

Happy Independence Day – Liberate Yourself from Writer’s Block!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

All writers suffer from the occasional bout of writer’s block. It’s our common demon, our scourge, and sometimes it even feels like a curse. But I’m here to help! In honor of our nation’s birthday, I challenge you to push through that impasse into the blue sky of freedom. Ahh!

In addition to providing 5 block-busting tips in the July column that I write for Women on Writing, I also interview my writing teacher and New York Times bestselling author Susan Shapiro, about her new memoir, The Forgiveness Tour: How to Find the Perfect Apology. Susan epitomizes talent and persistence, and you’ll be inspired by her humor and words of wisdom.

Liberate yourself from writer’s block by trying one (or more) of these handy tips:

1. Stop! An empty page is where all good stories start. But if you find yourself paralyzed by writer’s block, just stop. Don’t force yourself to write. You won’t like the result, and you may even, ahem, start to hate the work and beat yourself up. Before this happens, walk away. In fact, forbid yourself from writing for the next 12 hours. When I take a forced break, I end up missing it so badly that I often sneak back before my self-imposed suspension is over! The late Toni Morrison offered these wise words: “I tell my students there is such a thing as ‘writer’s block,’ and they should respect it. It’s blocked because it ought to be blocked, because you haven’t got it right now.”

2. Regress. Try to recover that same state of mind that sparked your imagination at the outset. When I struggled with a recent essay, I found myself flipping through a 1859 beekeeping treatise that inspired me in the beginning. The author and his charming prose reminded me of why I wanted to write this essay. If you reach an impasse, think back to the original inspiration for your idea—whether it was written by someone else or words from your journal. Stepping back into the past may actually help you go forward.

3. Read. If you’re working on a novel, pick up a nonfiction book. If you’re working on a nonfiction book, try reading a poem or short story. I actually have a shelf of reference books on everything from sailing to sewing that I’ll thumb through when I reach a concrete wall. It’s very liberating to read Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs when I’m working on something very different. Transporting myself mentally to a lavender field soothes my spirit and rejuvenates my writing mind.

4. Impose a Deadline. This sounds harsh I know, but nothing concentrates your mind like a looming deadline. If you’re floundering on a loose-ended project, get out the calendar and give yourself an official “due date.” Writer Jodi Picoult puts it more bluntly. “I don’t believe in writer’s block. Think about it – when you were blocked in college and had to write a paper, didn’t it always manage to fix itself the night before the paper was due? Writer’s block is having too much time on your hands.”

5. Say Adios to the Perfectionist! Quash that inner critic who tells you that every word must be flawless. Let your writing flow without interruption. If necessary, start with the main idea and express it in baby words. This is what I do. There’s plenty of time to come back later and smooth it out. Jennifer Egan says it better. “I haven’t had writer’s block. I think it’s because my process involves writing very badly.”

Another way to conquer writer’s block is to read through the vast list of markets actively seeking your work. In fact, without your contributions, these magazines, websites and other publications would face a “publishing block”! Help them out—and crush your own deadlock—by using one of these dynamic listings as a springboard for your imagination.

Good luck with your writing this month, and here’s hoping that your July simply sparkles, with both inspiration and productivity.

Learn How to Move from the “Slush” Pile to the “Rush” Pile on February 23!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Technology makes submitting for publication easier than ever. At the same time, as more and more writers offer their work, competition for space has never been fiercer. But take heart. In this class, we’ll cover the art behind successful submissions and how to move from the “slush” pile to the pile editors rush to accept. We’ll discuss how to find the best fit for your writing, tips on putting your best foot forward, and a little secret to boost the number of marketable pieces in your portfolio. We’ll also discuss the nuts and bolts of submission: cover letters, biographies, tracking and more, such as how to stay motivated as you cast those precious pearls out into the world.

Interested? Join me on Tuesday, February 23 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. for a special online 90-minute Zoom workshop hosted by our friends at Charlotte Lit.

Cost: $30 members ($25 early bird rate); $35 non-members

For more and to register, click here.

Biscuits Help Each Other Rise!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

biscuit1On Saturday, I had the pleasure of spending my morning with an enthusiastic and especially curious group of women writers at Charlotte Lit. What a vibrant organization! I can’t say enough about the leadership and students at Charlotte Lit. They have built an enviable powerhouse of writing, and are truly dedicated to helping each other succeed.

The topic of our discussion was how to share your writing with the world. While self-publishing continues to be a vital force in the writing world, no question, I believe it’s still worthwhile to submit your writing for publication by others–whether to contests, commercial or literary magazines.

Why? First, you’ll get to know so many other wonderful people, whether at public readings or just by getting to know them by reading their work. You’ll also meet talented editors, who will happily help your shape your work and promote your writing. And among all your new writing friends (at Charlotte Lit and beyond), you can help each other. As Martha Stewart once said, quoting another baker whose name escapes me, the reason we put biscuits together in a pan is because they help each other rise.

Second, and equally important, is that when you write for publications and contests, you also grow as a writer. Yes, you have to be brave enough to stand the occasional rejection, but you can learn so much about yourself and the wider world of writing, that it’s well worth it. The motivation to improve will invariably result in acceptances, I promise, and by sharing your words and experiences with the world, you’ll expand your community that much more. And, ahem, at the risk of repeating myself too much, we know that biscuits help each other rise, right? 🙂

Have you submitted yet? If you haven’t, give yourself a New Year’s goal of submitting one piece of writing at least once every month in 2020. And remember, in the words of Harriet Beecher Stowe: “Never give up. Because that is just the place and time where the tide will turn.”

In the meantime, I encourage you to lean on each other for help and accountability. Choose a “submission buddy” and check in with that person regularly just to make sure you’re meeting your goals, if nothing else. Share your writing with each other and ask for suggestions on where you might submit your work. Most importantly, celebrate each other’s successes.

And if you missed Saturday’s workshop, no fear, I’ll be offering an extended version of the same one (with even more writing time and new markets for publications!) at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro on April 25.

Remember, I am rooting for you. Because, okay, last time, I promise. Biscuits help each other rise. 😊

 

Share Your Writing with the World!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

cup-3488805_1280Submission is an exciting step in a writer’s life, and for some of us, it can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be! If one of your writing resolutions for 2020 is to delve into the exciting waters of submission, why not get an early start? Join us on Saturday, January 4, 2020 from 9:30 – Noon at the Charlotte Center for Literary Arts, Inc., 1817 Central Avenue, #302, in Charlotte to learn how simple (and fun) writing for publication can be!

Bring a polished piece of original work (poetry, short fiction, or nonfiction) and leave with all the tools you need to submit your writing and become a published author. You may even win a prize along the way. We’ll tackle market research for journals, newspapers, magazines and contests, submission systems, cover letters and short biographies.

Register here: https://www.charlottelit.org/event/submissions-and-contests/

I can’t think of a better way to start the New Year! I look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Creative Writing Events Near You!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Are you wriwritingting short stories? How about creative nonfiction or true-life essays? And let’s not forget about the third leg of this literary stool — poetry! Are you ready to submit your work?

No matter what you’re writing, revising or preparing to submit, you’re bound to find a local special event that may help you in your creative endeavors, from readings to classes, talks, and more! And some events are free! By attending, you’ll also meet other like-minded writers who can help you in your journey. Writing is by nature a solitary act, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

As a special note, in addition to teaching a class at Central Carolina Community College this fall, I’m also honored to be presenting two workshops at Charlotte Center for Literary Arts, Inc. later this fall and in January. I look forward to working with and meeting writers in the Charlotte metro area.

Hope to see you at one of these events. In the meantime, keep writing and delighting!

Click here to view the latest list of Upcoming Events.