826 Seattle is a place where kids learn to dig language, and the place has style. It's a writing center in Greenwood, with a store attached where you can buy outer space travel supplies.

I'm going to teach an adult class at 826 this coming Tuesday, and I really want you to consider coming out, because the class I'm teaching is entirely a fundraiser for 826—which, being a nonprofit in a comatose economy, struggles for every last buck even though last year Michelle Obama herself gave 826 Seattle a smacking kiss.

826 calls this summer class series "How to Write Like Me," which obviously you don't want to do, so I'll double-back-flip-teach you how not to. I'm a ninja unteacher like that.

Seriously (mostly): I'll start by sharing a little about my embarrassing and humbling career in being called an Expert (critic) when I actually feel I can only write or think well when in doubt (which is often). Doubt, curiosity, and making the best possible fool of yourself—that's where we'll begin. Each of us will do a little writing (which I like to call "foolmaking"), based on pushing past what you know in a subject of your choosing, and then we'll point and laugh at each other.

Ready? The time is 7 to 8:30/9 pm next Tuesday, July 17, and tickets are $35, all of which goes to 826. Join me. Heckle me.