Teaching writing for: 19 years and counting
My areas of expertise: poetry, fiction, chapbook-length manuscripts, creative research, tarot/spiritual practice for generative writing and meditative practice.
My “hot take” on teaching/mentoring: Reading is to inhaling as writing is to exhaling. I’m always going to ask, “What are you reading?” I think learning how to think about your writing is essential to identifying strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
My strengths as a mentor: My passion for writing spans formal academic research, creative writing, and writing as a spiritual/meditative practice. I have the experience and ability to approach my students’ writing from several different perspectives depending on their goals.
Why I should be your writing mentor: In addition to teaching writing, literature, and composition for almost 20 years, I also spent more than 15 years as an editor and publisher. Even if you aren’t interested in publishing, my extensive experience in craft, theme, and narrative helps me to provide both line edits and structural guidance to work at any stage of development.
The best part of this job: I’m always learning from my students. The breadth and depth of knowledge my students bring to their writing (about all different kinds of topics) is food for my curious brain.
My favorite things to read: Currently, anything that will inform my upcoming dissertation, which will focus on trauma and feedback in creative writing workshops. This includes personal essays, craft books like The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felica Chavez, and poets like Marwa Helal, who has a poem called “poem for brad who wants me to write about the pyramids.” For pleasure, I am reading/listening to cozy murder mysteries.
My favorite things to write: I am currently contemplating turning my draft of a fantasy-noir retelling of The Maltese Falcon into a novel in verse. I also love using Tarot cards as journal prompts.
The official writer bio: Teneice Durrant holds an MFA in creative writing and an MA in Literature. She is currently a candidate for a PhD in Psychology and has an affinity for what she likes to call “creative research.” She has 19 years of teaching experience, poetry publications including four chapbooks and the full-length, Glass Corset (2019), and more than 15 years as an editor and publisher of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
"It was…wonderful to learn about [different spiritual practices] in a non-judgmental environment. Teneice seems like such a gentle and kind person in her correspondence and feedback…she is also very empowering in her responses.” –Heidi Massey
“Teneice is a fabulous teacher and I have learned so much from her…As a result, I have built a small meditation practice for myself now that I will continue with as it has helped me feel more focused and centered. I think that this is going to help me in writing life, also.” –Rebecca Scalio
Register for a generative writing session with Teneice.
Books by Teneice Durrant
