Spotlight on English 220: Meredith’s Writing Creative Nonfiction Course

From poetry to personal essays, creative writing is a broad genre, and Meredith students are exposed to that breadth through elective courses such as English 220: Writing Creative Nonfiction. 

In her course this semester, Heather Frese, adjunct professor of English and winner of the Lee Smith Novel Prize, focused on narrative units, which follow a traditional story arc of growth, and on lyric essays. She describes lyric essays as an “exciting genre that blends elements of poetry with nonfiction.” 

“I’ve had students turn in essays using the format of a Reddit thread, an elementary school exam, an autopsy report, and an acrostic, for just a few examples,” Frese says. 

It’s this kind of freedom in the way students can express themselves in assignments that makes Meredith’s creative writing courses, which are offered through Meredith’s English department, often in high demand among students. Frese believes the strong appeal stems from its providing “a space for voice, imagination, expression, and play.”

Students shouldn’t assume that the playful aspect of creative writing means it lacks serious practical applications. “It’s also deeply intellectual work with practical outcomes of clarity and attention to language,” Frese says. 

The skills students develop through their coursework and in-class activities can be applied to a wide variety of careers. 

“Critically analyzing things like tone, sentence structure, rhythm, and organization and then applying those concepts to their own essays develops students’ writing skills on every level; these are all skills that students will use in their careers, whether they’re electrical engineers or teachers or physicians or professional writers,” Frese says.

Frese enjoys helping students develop and elevate their unique voices through the course.

“Creative nonfiction is special in that the author is also the material, which is both fruitful and challenging. You can’t imagine things like plot, character, and setting from scratch; no wizards or dragons or futuristic settings—what you’ve got is yourself and your story,” she says. “My creative nonfiction students this semester have truly brought the story of their voices and their lives.” 

Those voices — and the courage they’ve demonstrated — have both inspired and moved her this semester.

“There have been many days when I’ve sat at my desk reaching for Kleenex after reading their essays. It’s a brave thing to do, to share your story, and it’s been my honor and joy to read their words,” Frese says.

Based on the work she’s seen her students create and the supportive community found in the department, Frese is excited about the future of the creative writing program at Meredith. 

“There’s a wellspring of talent here that we can’t wait to see develop. Community is so important when it comes to creative endeavors, and the creative writing minor at Meredith really excels in nurturing a collaborative, supportive environment where our students thrive,” Frese says.

For more information about Meredith’s creative writing minor, visit www.meredith.edu/english