Many of your presenter’s favorite essays (to read or write) are those in which “nothing happens.” But there’s plenty happening beneath the surface in these contemplative pieces. Not every essay involves life’s big drama-trauma events. Quiet or “small” stories can be just as powerful and engaging. This kind of meditative writing elevates the ordinary and explores what Virginia Woolf called “moments of being.” Some of our most celebrated CNF writers (Annie Dillard, Scott Russell Sanders, Terry Tempest Williams) write essays that are quiet yet vibrant. We’ll explore published examples and craft techniques that can bring our quiet stories to life.
View Slides (PDF)