StoryStudio Fall Launch

By Jess D'Amico in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 6, 2007 8:14PM

A love for reading, at least for us, comes with a love of writing. But if you're not still in college or involved in a writing community, how do you find a way to channel and hone your craft?

StoryStudio Chicago is here to help. With a writing cafe every month, and classes ranging from beginning writers to portfolio and novel editing, the program, four years old, is like a mini-college unto itself.

Jill Pollack, the founder of StoryStudio, invited us to attend one of her summer classes, Reading as a Writer, a class strictly based on analyzing published work, with no student writing. Snuggled in a loft on Ravenswood, the space is littered with rocking chairs, couches, and coffee tables. The classroom was much the same, with seven, mostly barefoot, students. The conversations about the work, including Daniel Orozco's "Orientation", was provoking and focused on the work for a writer's sake. Jill moderated, but was never overbearing or condescending.

Jill explains her style of workshopping as non-competitive, focusing on finding a writer's true voice and style. Most of the classes she offers, and most of the program itself, is based on student suggestions.

Jill started StoryStudio four years ago as one class with four students, and this fall will boast 12-15 classes with 8-10 students each, and fifteen faculty members. This semester's offering and registration is available online. Jill has also started Cooler by the Lake StoryStudio's online magazine, as a newsletter, faculty blog, and to publish outstanding student work.

Tomorrow StoryStudio invites everyone to come to their Fall Kick-Off Party, with free food and no pushy convocation speeches. All are welcome but registration is suggested. We'll be in the rocking chair in the corner.