SDSU Extension creative writing workshops continue in April

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension’s online creative writing workshops will continue in April, with a focus on obituary writing.

The Heirlooms workshop is from noon to 2 p.m. CDT/11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT on April 22, 2025, via Zoom. It is free but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page. Technical support will be available before the workshop if needed.

On April 22, participants will learn how to write obituaries. They will explore how to honor loved ones with memorable, thoughtful tributes and learn the elements that make for a meaningful obituary.

Leacey E. Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist, said that obituaries are an important part of preserving family histories for future generations, but can be difficult to complete when families are grieving. This workshop can help people prepare, whether to write their own or someone else’s.

“We all want to be remembered in some way. If you write your own, you’re able to highlight the pieces of your life you want known,” Brown said. “It’s kind of a gift you can give to your family.” 

Led by South Dakota Humanities Scholar Molly Barari, this series is perfect for anyone looking to explore various facets of writing about life and family. Barari and Brown began collaborating on this initiative in 2021, and have since expanded access to South Dakotans beyond the Black Hills region.

Participants will be inspired to write pieces of South Dakota history that can be cherished as family heirlooms. Barari, who holds a master of fine arts in creative writing and a doctor of education in adult education, will provide writing prompts to help participants uncover important details about their lives and family histories. For more information about Barari, visit www.mollybarari.com.

The final workshop, on ancestor writing, is from noon to 2 p.m. CDT/11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT on Oct. 16 and will teach participants how to research and write about their ancestors’ stories.

This program is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

For more information, contact Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist.