CREATIVE WRITING
The student will plan, write weekly in several genres of creative writing and revise fiction and nonfiction, including short stories, poetry, articles, and novels. Readings in every genre will be assigned as examples, and students will discuss the craft elements that are important in each genre. There will be a strong emphasis on revision as well as class critiques of student work. Students will discuss the audience and possibilities of publication. The goal of the class is for each student to create a portfolio of original works in the best form they can achieve.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Sarah Van Clef
Prose & Poetry/Creative Writing
Sarah Van Clef is a poet and memoirist from South Amboy, New Jersey. Her lyrical essays and poems have been featured in the Local Gems NJ Bards Literary Anthology, SoupCan Magazine, Philadelphia Stories, The Monmouth Review, and others. She holds both an M.A in English Writing Studies and an M.F.A in Creative Writing with a concentration in creative nonfiction from Monmouth University. She is currently the Reviews Editor for Philadelphia Stories, a literary magazine that celebrates artists and writers within the Philly area and surrounding communities. Sarah's other passion is community. Because of this, she created The Social Writerly, an online creative community that supports writers and artists. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of English at Monmouth University, Brookdale Community College, and Middlesex College. When Sarah is not teaching or writing, you can most likely find her walking along the beaches of the Jersey Shore, watching the NY Rangers, or singing in her band, The Cellar Dwellers.