Spotlight On: Olga Katsovskiy

Olga Katsovskiy, Writing Instructor

When did you first fall in love with writing, specifically non-fiction? Did you keep diaries and journals as a child?

As a child I used to draw, write, and tape things in my notebooks. Keeping a journal always felt essential. As an undergrad I studied poetry and fiction. Memoir was briefly mentioned, and I grew to appreciate the vast world of creative nonfiction much later. During the early days of the pandemic I joined many virtual events, including a writing workshop that helped me realize creative nonfiction is my realm. The instructor convinced me to submit an essay I wrote to literary magazines leading to my first publication. Since then, I feel like I'm paying it forward.

What does the phrase, and title of your popular creative non-fiction writing workshop, “Writing in Curves” mean to you? How does one build story arcs and compelling narratives out of day-to-day experiences and memories?

Our memories are not linear. They rise and fall, forming peaks and valleys. Writing in Curves is about retracing the path to find what's around the bend. Narrative arcs outline the outer actions while emotional arcs focus on the inner conflict. The narrator's emotional journey is most important in a personal essay, where time can loop, contract, and expand. Every compelling story has a persona: the former, present, or future self, striving towards or against something. A persona should be grappling with a question, not necessarily stated in the text but inferred by the reader. I always ask students, what does your narrator want? That is where the essay begins.

Personal writing can be a solitary and sometimes vulnerable activity - how do you create an open, safe, and collaborative environment in your group classes?

It's very important to create a structure and set expectations from the start. I aim to create a balance between craft discussions, generative writing, and workshop. I've developed a curriculum and adapt it to every group, making sure the material is engaging. I ask questions because I'm genuinely interested in what everyone brings to class and listen to what is shared (and often what isn't said) to get a sense of the stories students are writing. I value sincerity and honesty and create a group dynamic conducive to respectful and constructive discussions.

Our students have shared that your workshops feel like “group therapy” at times. Can you share more about how interpreting memories and experiences into written work can turn into profound personal revelations?

I strive to make my class a safe space to talk openly about hard things. I think students call it "therapy" because it's a third place where they feel heard. Creative nonfiction is largely about mining memories. I teach writers how to look beneath the surface. There's a paradox in essay writing, the more we hone in on our unique experiences the more relatable they become. The personal becomes universal. Writing is a journey we take to learn something about ourselves and the world. A personal essay is never only about ourselves.

You have taught over 30 writing classes since 2022. What keeps bringing you back to teaching at CCAE?

I appreciate the creative freedom I have at CCAE. All the trust and respect from the staff enable me to try new things in the classroom. There is a real sense of community here, where people from all walks of life come together and feel empowered to make art.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-time writing student?

Cultivate your reading habits. Read widely and spend time with the genre you want to write. Practice by imitating the authors whose work resonates with you.