Personal Essay: Finding Transcendence in the Ordinary
"Personal Essay" is full enrolled. Please contact the office if you'd like to be added to the waitlist.
Each day presents moments inspire a personal essay: the kindness you see shown by a store clerk to a senior, the anger you feel at someone tailgating you on the road, the moment when your grandchild asks when you’re going to die. In this introductory essay class, you’ll learn how to identify these pivotal moments, find their epiphanies, and write about them in a way that resonates with readers. You will focus on one personal essay, creating a finished product by the end of the six weeks.
Faculty Bio
Jane Ganahl is a writer, teacher, and co-founder of Litquake. As a Hearst newspaper journalist for many years, she wrote the “Single Minded” column, which led to her memoir, Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife. Her essays have appeared in Spirituality & Health, Huffington Post, Bazaar, and Salon, as well as in four anthologies.
This is an In-Person Course
- Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 300, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
- Limited to 18 members
- You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.
Schedule Highlights
- Course starts on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and ends on Tuesday, Feb. 20
- Classes meet for six weeks, two hours per session (1–3 PM)
- Course materials will remain available to view and enjoy through March 31
Member Praise for Jane Ganahl
Jane showed amazing knowledge and encouragement. She created an amazing space to learn and write.
Jane is wonderful and exceedingly patient and encouraging across all levels of student experience. She is a rare teacher.