Writing Tucson: Intersecting Place, Prose and Poetry with Estella González

In this 3-week class we’ll pay close attention to Tucson, its sounds, sights, tastes, textures, and scents. We will bring our current and past neighborhoods to life through a combination of generative writing prompts, readings and discussion. We’ll capture memories connecting us to the Old Pueblo and translate these experiences through poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. Readings will include work by writers who have written about Tucson and its environs such as poets Ofelia Zepeda, Mari Herreras and Mark Doty. Nonfiction examples will include excerpts by Melanie Martinez, Lydia Otero, and Linda Ronstadt (yes, that Linda Ronstadt). Fiction will be sourced from former Tucson residents Jamie Quatro, Mark Jude Poirier and Chicano literary pioneer Mario Suarez.