As queer writers, we are often writing against the narratives forced upon us. No wonder so many of us are drawn to hybridity, non-linear structures, and experimentations in our work. But what does it mean to stop writing against and start writing toward?
In this two-hour craft seminar, we’ll learn to identify the self-limiting beliefs, tropes, and narratives we’re afraid of replicating in our own work, and find ways to deepen our stories to reflect the holy messiness of the queer lived experience. Come ready to explore strategies and techniques to show up authentically on the page and resist the over-simplified story. Together, we’ll discuss practices for fighting feelings of shame and writing toward our desires, our contradictions, and our deepest hopes.
Participants will develop craft tools for writing compelling personal narrative and read other non-fiction authors writing against or toward narratives. Together, we’ll deepen our writing practice, and generate new material through writing prompts meant to explore the messy, vulnerable, sexy, and complex aspects of queer identity.
This craft seminar is part of the 2026 Queer Creatives Fest. Queer Creatives Fest is open to writers of all genres and creatives of all types who identify as members of LGBTQIA+ communities. We also welcome folks who are questioning their gender or sexual orientation and those who are in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities. Our intention is to center LGBTQIA+ people at the Fest.
