Blog
Meet the Teaching Artist: Personal Essays for Non-Writers and Newbies with Natalie Serianni
by Writing Workshops Staff
10 hours ago
There’s something extraordinary about the personal essay—it’s where vulnerability meets craft and where everyday experiences transform into universal truths. For Natalie Serianni, acclaimed writer and instructor whose work has been published by The New York Times, HuffPost, and Insider, among others, this transformation isn’t just an art form—it’s a calling. Her essays cover the complexities of midlife parenting, nostalgia, and grief, and she brings that same depth and care to her teaching.
In her upcoming course at WritingWorkshops.com, Personal Essays for Non-Writers and Newbies, Natalie invites students—whether seasoned writers or self-described "non-writers"—to explore their stories and transform them into polished, publishable work. Over four thoughtfully designed weeks, participants will move from the spark of an idea to the satisfaction of a completed essay, with guidance, peer feedback, and a nurturing writing community every step of the way.
The class isn’t just about writing—it’s about discovery. You’ll learn how to open your essays with impact, structure them with precision, and end with resonance. With a reading list featuring powerful voices like Putsata Reang and Michelle Zauner, and discussions that demystify the submission process, you’ll leave the course with more than just a draft—you’ll gain the confidence to share your story with the world.
We sat down with Natalie to discuss her journey, why personal essays matter now more than ever, and what students can expect from this transformative experience. Whether you’ve never written a word or have notebooks full of drafts, Natalie’s warmth and expertise promise to guide you to the heart of your story—and to remind you that, yes, you are a writer.
(And if you can’t make the live sessions? No worries. Each class is recorded, so you can learn at your own pace.)
Hi, Natalie. Please introduce yourself to our audience.
Hi, I'm Natalie. I'm a Seattle-based writer, instructor, and mother of two.
What made you want to teach this specific class? Is it something you are focusing on in your own writing practice? Have you noticed a need to focus on this element of craft?
This class came about as a result of my own writing path: I really wanted a class like this when I was getting started! And, through many years of teaching: supporting new writers as they emerge, watching students find their words, helping them to launch. It's my favorite space to share with would-be writers.
Give us a breakdown of how the course is going to go. What can the students expect? What is your favorite part about this class you've dreamed up?
First: my mission is to welcome new writers into the writing space, and help them feel like they belong. They do! Our first week together we'll dive into foundational elements of the personal essay, with an eye towards openings. Our second and third week will focus on form, shape, and finding our essay's beating heart, what we've come to say. We'll also look at endings, and different kinds of essays. Our last class will focus on finding homes for our work: pitching and publishing editors, writing for a specific audience, and submissions. Each class is a mixture of information sharing, short generative writing, and reading discussions. We'll read many sample essays, and students will leave with one complete essay, and loads of confidence in their writing.
What was your first literary crush?
Madeline L'Engle, "A Wrinkle in Time." She made my 2nd grade head explode. I think about that book a lot.
What are you currently reading?
"The Mighty Red," Louise Erdrich.
How do you choose what you're working on? When do you know it is the next thing you want to write all the way to THE END?
I feel like it chooses me, and won't let go. The last essay I wrote came to me in the morning, and I told myself, "Don't lose this idea!" So, I wrote down a few notes on my phone, threw open my laptop when I got to the office, and wrote the whole thing down. Sometimes it feels feverish, other times the ideas marinate. I have an essay I've been working on for two years, and it's still not there. My ideas haunt me, all the way to the end.
Where do you find inspiration?
Daily dog walks.
What is the best piece of writing wisdom you've received that you can pass along to our readers? How did it impact your work? Why has this advice stuck with you?
I had a teacher say to our class once, "Don't be too precious about your writing" and that stuck. It helps me cut from my essay when I have too much, and gets me to the heart of what needs to be said.
What is your favorite book to recommend on the craft of writing? Why this book?
"Tell it Slant," Brenda Miller. It offers creative ways to crack our writing open.
Bonus question: What’s your teaching vibe?
I'm pretty chill, but get especially hyped about personal essays, and welcoming students into the writing world.
Learn More About Working with Natalie:
You can learn more about Natalie's upcoming classes, Personal Essays for Non-Writers and Newbies and sign up now.
Join Natalie in this journey to explore new dimensions in writing and enhance your craft!
Natalie Serianni is a Seattle-based writer, instructor, and mother of two with work at The New York Times, Huffpost, Insider, Scary Mommy, ParentMap, Jenny Mag, Motherwell, The Keepthings, The Manifest Station, and other publications. Her essay "Subtle Shifts," was in the recent anthology, The Pandemic Midlife Crisis: Gen X Women on the Brink. Her writing focuses on midlife parenting, nostalgia, and long-held grief.
