What Next? Launching Your Work in the World // with Caits Meissner

About the Class

So you’ve gathered a bunch of writing—now what do you do with it? Over five sessions in the span of three days, the What's Next Weekend Intensive invites participants to answer critical questions related to finding the aligned output for their creative work. Through interactive guided group and individual exercises, participants will explore the steps needed to bring a creative project to full fruition, determine the unique intersections that form their creative voice and create an artist statement. Ultimately, after viewing a series of both innovative and conventional projects by writers, participants will ask themselves, what are the many lives a group of writings can live? What format is the best container for the work at hand? Participants will exit the weekend with a check list of next steps that they can pursue on their own, or bring to the "What's Next" 8 week intensive, to be scheduled in the spring of 2023.

Class Schedule

1) WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BRING A PROJECT TO LIFE?

Friday, January 27, 12 - 1:30PM EST

Welcome; Interactive “jam board” that gathers wisdom and advice from participants through a series of guided prompts; Walking through my own projects to show the various steps taken to bring a major creative project to life. 

2) WHOSE CREATIVE LOVE CHILD AM I? WHAT MAKES UP MY ARTISTIC VOICE?

Saturday, January 28, 12 - 1:30PM, 2 - 3:30PM EST

Through a series of imaginative guided exercises, participants will determine the unique intersections that form their creative voice. These exercises (lists, writing prompts) invite participants to survey their past and present for the “ingredients” that make their writing/art special. These answers inform the creation of an artist statement.

3) MAPPING OPTIONS — BRAINSTORMING FUTURES

Sunday, January 29, 12 - 1:30PM, 2 - 3:30PM EST

After viewing a series of both innovative and conventional projects by writers (books, podcasts, public art, etc.), participants consider their work taking various shapes and forms. What are the many lives a group of writings can live? What format is the best container for the work at hand? Participants exit the weekend with a check list of next steps that they can pursue on their own, or bring to the 8 week intensive.

Who Should Take This Class

Anyone with piles of already created work and/or a seed of an idea for a larger expression, paired with a curiosity about how to bring their creative life into a project-based form!

Format

A few days before class begins, you will receive the class Zoom links to log into the class. There are no browser requirements, and Zoom is mobile-friendly. Please make sure you have the latest version of Zoom, which you can download here. If you have any questions about the technical requirements, please email tlan.coordinator@gmail.com.

From our interactions, we sustain a welcoming and inspiring community together.

About the Facilitator

Caits Meissner is the author of the illustrated hybrid poetry book Let It Die Hungry (The Operating System, 2016), and The Letter All Your Friends Have Written You (Well&Often, 2012), co-written with poet Tishon Woolcock. The recipient of multiple artist residencies and fellowships, including the BOAAT Writers Retreat and The Pan-African Literary Forum, Caits is widely published in literary journals including The Literary Review, Narrative, Adroit, Drunken Boat and The Offing. She has taught, consulted and co-created extensively for over 15 years across a wide spectrum of communities, with a special focus on imprisoned people, women and youth. Caits holds a BFA in Communication Design from Pratt Institute, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the City College of New York. She currently serves as the Prison and Justice Writing Program Manager at PEN America.