Learning Objectives

• Develop captivating story ideas rooted in reality
• Craft dynamic characters and settings that leap off the page
• Use narrative techniques to build suspense, evoke emotion, and keep readers hooked
• Conduct thorough research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and credibility
• Structure your narrative for maximum impact and resonance
• Understand how your mind, body, and spirit interrelate in the creative process

Creating an Intentional Writing Practice

Kathryn emphasises ways to cultivate an intentional writing practice. This involves dedicating time, space, and focus to your craft in a deliberate and consistent manner. It means setting aside specific periods in your day or week to write, free from distractions, where your sole focus is on the act of creation. This practice is not just about quantity but about quality, approaching each session with a clear intention—whether it’s to explore a new idea, refine a draft, or simply enjoy the flow of words. By establishing rituals or routines, such as journaling before writing or taking a walk to clear your mind, you can cultivate an environment that nurtures creativity and discipline. Over time, this intentionality builds momentum, deepens your engagement with your work, and enhances your ability to produce meaningful, polished writing.

Learn more about creative nonfiction here.

• 4-6:30 PM BST
• Eight weekly classes on Mondays
• Sept 30-Nov 18, 2024
• Class limited to 16 students
• Live online via Zoom 

• £550 per course per term
• Questions? Click here to book a free 15-minute one-on-one conversation
• Contact kathryn@kathrynaalto.com if you would like to discuss payment options 

The Art of Narrative Nonfiction is a lively and enriching introduction to the personal essay and creative/narrative nonfiction. 

Readings

The course readings are a collection of personal essays, a trio of nature poems, and one book of memoir. We begin with a study of the personal essay and embark on a journey into the personal/humour essay, travel writing, nature writing, poetry, and memoir. The course is well-paced.

Authors include the elegant essayist E.B. White, actor-turned-acclaimed-travel writer Andrew McCarthy, humourist David Sedaris, contemporary nature writers Kimberly Coburn and Nicola Pitchford, and the great memoirists Maya Angelou. We read stirring poems by Camille Dungy, Alberto Rios, and Li Young-Lee.

As the course progresses, you will learn the eight essential pillars of narrative nonfiction: narrative presence, narrative arc, setting, characterisation, dialogue/monologue, language, voice, and dilating/telescoping.  You will learn how to immerse readers in scenes that show rather than tell. 

FAQs

1. Q: Are Kathryn Aalto’s creative writing courses suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, all levels of writers can study with Kathryn. She has created a supportive environment where beginners can develop their skills while more experienced writers can refine their craft and explore new narrative techniques.

• LEVEL 1: Beginning courses for those new to narrative nonfiction who need to gain a foundational understanding.
• LEVELS  2-3: Intermediate courses that require Level 1 course, a similar foundational course in narrative nonfiction, or by application with a writing sample.
• LEVELS 3-4: Intermediate to advanced courses that build upon previous experience (finesse voice, structure, dilation, telescoping, dialogue, and other topics.

2. Q: What kind of feedback can I expect in Kathryn Aalto’s courses?
A: Kathryn provides detailed, personalized, and constructive feedback that focuses on improving technical writing skills while enhancing the emotional and thematic resonance of your work. Students receive handwritten feedback on all their writing via Kathryn’s reMarkable device. From the small (language, sentence, syntax) to the large (structure, theme, voice), suggestions are provided and guidance is given to help students learn and improve. People feel supported, encouraged, and challenged to grow and explore.

3. Q: What types of assignments or exercises are typical?
A: Kathryn’s courses include in-class reflective writing exercises and at-home writing between 2-4 pages for Level 1 and 4-10 pages for Levels 2-4. Students write in response to broad topics and as they progress, they are encouraged to write into their own areas of interest. There is a combination of variety and independence

4. Q: If I take one course, can I expect to be a published writer?
A: Taking a single writing course can be a valuable step toward becoming a published writer, but it’s important to manage expectations. A writing course and individual mentoring can certainly help you develop essential skills, refine your voice, and provide you with the tools needed to craft compelling narratives. However, becoming a published writer requires ongoing practice, persistence, and a willingness to revise and improve your work over time, independently and with others.

Publication is a process that involves more than just learning the craft—which can take years of writing, reading, collaborating, and more to arrive at having a signature writing style. It also includes understanding the publishing industry, submitting your work to the right places, and facing rejection before finding success. That said, many writers have taken significant strides toward publication by starting with a Level 1 course, which can serve as a strong foundation. Most students take between 2-4 courses with Kathryn in what can be likened to an MFA program laser-focused on narrative nonfiction. Ultimately, while Kathryn can’t guarantee that taking one course will lead directly to publication, she can assure you that it will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue your writing goals more effectively.

Narrative nonfiction is an art. While many people have had amazing life experiences and want to tell those stories, learning how to translate those experiences in art takes time to develop. Some people do indeed have innate talent and artistic sensibilities to tell stories; often it comes from years of reading and understanding narrative arc.  Most of Kathryn’s published or award-winning writers have taken multiple courses, participated in workshops, and have spent years honing their craft. In the same way that you can’t expect to perform at Carnegie Hall after a semester of piano lessons, the same applies to the art of narrative nonfiction.

4. Q: Who are my classmates?
A: One of the most exciting developments in education is the way live, long-distance learning has evolved the idea of learning from a local to international learning space. No longer is our learning limited to learning institutions in our locality. Instead, our teachers can be bestselling writers living an ocean e our classmates can be international, thus expanding our growth and perspective with a whole new writing community.  Students from all over the world study with Kathryn including people living in every state in the USA, Canada, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Estonia, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, Ecuador and more.

5. Q: Can I pay my tuition in instalments?
A: Yes, invoices can be billed over 2-4 months. Contact gardens@kathrynaalto.com to suggest arrangements that work best for you.

Kathryn Aalto fosters a warm, inclusive, and inspiring community in her online writing courses, where participants from diverse backgrounds come together to explore their creativity. Her courses are designed to encourage collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and mutual support, cultivating a space where students feel safe to express themselves and share their work.

Kathryn’s teaching style emphasizes empathy and attentiveness, helping students build confidence in their writing while honouring their unique voices. Through guided discussions, personalised feedback, and opportunities for peer interaction, she cultivates a sense of belonging and shared purpose. The community Kathryn creates is one of encouragement, growth, and a shared passion for the written word, where each participant is both a learner and a contributor to the collective experience.

“My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that education is a collaborative and transformative journey, one that empowers students to explore their creative potential, embrace their unique voices, and engage deeply with the world around them. I am committed to creating a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and intellectually stimulating, where students feel encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and challenge themselves.” — Kathryn Aalto

Philosophy

1. Fostering Creative Exploration

I believe that creativity flourishes when students are given the freedom to explore ideas, experiment with language, and push the boundaries of conventional thinking. My role as an educator is to provide the tools, guidance, and encouragement that allow students to embark on this journey of exploration. I strive to create lectures, discussions, and assignments that inspire curiosity and invite students to engage with material in ways that are personally meaningful and artistically daring.

2. Encouraging Critical Thinking and Reflection

I view literature and writing as powerful tools for understanding the human experience, and I encourage my students to engage critically with texts and their own work. By fostering an environment of thoughtful discussion and reflection, I aim to help students develop their analytical skills, deepen their understanding of complex themes, and articulate their ideas with clarity and conviction. I emphasise the importance of considering diverse perspectives and encourage students to question assumptions and explore the ethical dimensions of their writing.

3. Building a Supportive Learning Community

I am deeply committed to cultivating a classroom environment where all students feel respected, valued, and heard. I believe that learning is most effective when it occurs in a community where individuals support and learn from one another. To this end, I prioritise creating a space where students can share their work, offer constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue. I also recognise the importance of addressing each student’s unique needs and learning styles, and I strive to be responsive and adaptable in my teaching approach.

Strongly influenced by the Harkness method founded at the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire where my three children graduated, I actively cultivate a learning space that emphasises the art of conversation with active listening, collaboration, and respect.

4. Empowering Student Voices

One of my primary goals as an educator is to empower emerging writers to find and refine their own voices. I encourage them to write with authenticity and confidence, whether they are crafting a new personal narrative as a long-time academic or exploring creative nonfiction from another genre. I believe that every student has a story worth telling, and I aim to help them discover the best ways to tell it. This involves not only developing their technical skills but also helping them overcome any inhibitions or self-doubt that may hinder their creative expression.

5. Lifelong Learning and Growth

I view teaching as a reciprocal process of learning and growth. Just as I seek to inspire my students, I am continually inspired by their insights, creativity, and courage. I am committed to my own professional development as a member of ASLE (Association for the Study of Literature and Environment) and AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs), which helps me stay engaged with current trends and debates in literature, writing, and pedagogy. By modelling a passion for learning and a commitment to intellectual curiosity, I hope to instil in my students a lifelong love of learning and a desire to continue honing their craft long after they leave my classroom.

Results

My teaching philosophy is centered on the idea that education is a dynamic and collaborative process. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and community, I aim to empower my students to become confident, thoughtful, and innovative writers who are prepared to differently engage with the world in reflective and meaningful ways.

After acquiring key skills in narrative nonfiction, I encourage people to apply for awards, submit to publications, and continue keeping personal writing journals. My pro-active stance helps emerging writers find validation of their insights and writing skills outside our nurturing communities.

My students have won numerous awards including the 2022 £10,000 Nature Chronicles Prize with two long-listed for the same 2024 prize. A student won the 2022 Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year and many have been short-listed for literary awards including the Fish Memoir Prize. My students have been published by general and university presses, book trusts, popular magazines, and literary journals.

However, publication and awards are only one measure of success. Learning to embrace the writing process as just one part of leading a contemplative life cannot be measured nor externally validated. There is different and great fulfilment in both.

“Kathryn Aalto is a world-class teacher. I had 30 years’ experience as a journalist and copywriter, but I was a novice in narrative non fiction. Kathryn taught me how to write, guiding me on a journey of discovery, revealing the secrets of sensory writing, bringing filmic vividness to my descriptions of the world around me and uncovering the inner landscapes of the mind. I will be forever grateful for her inspirational teaching and the support of the remarkable writing communities she curates, from whom I have received invaluable encouragement and among whom I have made enduring friendships.”  —  Gary F., Rutland, England

“Kathryn possesses a rare talent to hold a learning space in such a way each participant is supported while doing the hard work of being vulnerable. She extends an invitation to share space together in a small circle across time and distance as writers gather from around the world in a digital classroom with warmth and grace.  As a new writer, I felt unsure and intimidated. Was I ready? Did I have anything interesting to say?  Kathryn dispelled my fears, welcomed me and never stopped encouraging me to stretch just a little further.  She weaves and layers lectures, writing prompts with workshopping along with insightful feedback (often with sketches!) for every session. Kathryn is attentive to the temperament of each class, pausing a little longer here, waving a brief hello to something over there. I rave about these classes! Not only for how each has helped me to learn the craft of writing but for how she has helped me discover my voice. Quite honestly, growing as a writer has profoundly affected my relationships. Deepening my relationship to self, to loved ones and the world I habit. What a joy!” — Beth Anne, New Jersey

“Margaret Atwood said ‘If you really want to write, and you’re struggling to get started, you’re afraid of something.’ Kathryn fixes those nagging fears by showing writers what we have that is already good, and what we can do better tomorrow. It’s win-win, and she remakes a traditional “class” into such an enjoyable, productive journey. I’ve also been lucky enough to experience the awe-inspiring surroundings and warm community that form the bedrock of the Rural Writing Institute. It’s not often that you can genuinely say that one long weekend shifted the way you look at the world, but the effects are still with me in my reading and writing years later.” — Caroline, Aberdeen, Scotland