Barbara Abercrombie

Barbara Abercrombie

Writer and Teacher
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Instructor Biography:

Author of 15 books, including Courage and Craft: Writing Your Life into Story, A Year of Writing Dangerously, and Kicking in the Wall.  Ms. Abercrombie is a recipient of the UCLA Extension Distinguished Instructor Award and the UCLA Extension Outstanding Instructor Award in Creative Writing.

Instructor Statement:

I always tell my students: There is nothing until there is something on the page. My job is to create an atmosphere that feels safe so students can get that something down on the page. When students feel nurtured and respected, a lot of positive energy is released. My goal is to get them to use that energy in their work and to take their creative lives very, very seriously. I offer guidelines in craft but encourage risky paths into uncharted territory. I use a lot of examples from books and poems because I think ultimately our best teachers are the writers we love the most.

Our Students Say it Best!

“Barbara was welcoming and took us all seriously. She was personable and open, encouraging and firm—good management of class time and the workshop process. Amazing.”  — Writers’ Program Student

To watch a video of Barbara reading from her work at the 2011 Writers’ Program Publication Party, click here.

Blog: Click here to go to Barbara's blog.

Instructor Website: Click here to go to Barbara's website.

Writing Tip: Learn to Write

Watch Barbara read from her work.

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