Writing Through the Lens of Experience: Non-Fiction Masterclass with Caelainn Hogan

Course Summary

This masterclass will explore writing through the lens of experience, whether placing ourselves within the narrative or not, so that the work is made tangible through our perspective. As both a journalist and a writer of immersive nonfiction, I will speak about developing an eye as a reporter while also learning how to flesh out my own insights, deciding when to put myself within the story and how to write about the experiences of others. I will share an overview of what I have learned throughout my time as a writer, starting with longform narrative journalism and essays for literary journals to publishing my book Republic of Shame.

This masterclass is lecture-style with an opportunity for Q&A. Workshopping, feedback or writing sessions are not included.

Course Outline

We will focus on how to develop your work and your eye as a nonfiction writer, although this could also be of interest for writers working across different forms. The day will start with an introduction to my own experience as a nonfiction writer and then explore the ways we can flesh out our writing by writing through the ‘lens of experience’. I will also discuss the practicalities of pitching, editing, funding work and publishing, as well as my experience of exploring new forms of writing and collaboration. We will discuss the ethics and questions that arise when writing nonfiction, sharing challenges as well as lessons learned, with time to discuss questions of subjectivity, transparency and complicating authoritative narratives through lived experience.

Recommended readings will be shared through the masterclass but reading will not be required beforehand.

Course Outcomes

Through speaking about my own experiences as a writer, working with international newspapers and literary journals for more than a decade, I hope that sharing the skills and insights I have gathered over the years will be useful to other writers who want to write challenging and immersive nonfiction. There will be time for questions throughout the day and I am happy to speak about the practicalities of pitching, publishing, and making ends meet as a writer.

Caelainn Hogan is a writer and journalist with work published in The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, VICE, The Guardian, The Dublin Review and others. Her book Republic of Shame, published in September 2019 by Penguin Ireland, investigates the ongoing legacy of the religious-run institutions in Ireland that incarcerated thousands of women and children.