Great writers are great readers. In this course, participants explore how writers transform memory, observation, and imagination into compelling stories. Each session combines discussion of published work, a conversation with a guest author about their creative process and reading life, and a generative exercise. This is a course for readers, writers, and anyone curious about how stories are made. Get to the heart of storytelling, memory, history, and perspective with activities that allow participation through conversation, observation, and interpretation. No writing experience required. Writing opportunities are available but never mandatory.

Faculty Bio

Mina Witteman writes in English and Dutch. She is a longtime teacher of creative writing, trained and certified by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.

This is an In-Person Course

• Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 365, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and ends on Tuesday, Nov. 10
• Classes meet for 4 weeks, 2 hours per session (1–3 p.m)
• All course materials will be available in Member Dashboards through Dec. 31

Member Praise for Mina Witteman

Excellent instruction and examples for us to improve our writing and editing of our manuscripts.

Mina is an engaging lecturer with very helpful content for writers. She had enlightening responses during question-and-answer periods in class. 

Everything worked well. The class was very well-paced, and the lessons built on each other.