Additional Information
Workshop details
What do I have to bring?All you’ll need is a pen and some paper. A notebook is preferable since I’m confident you’ll be going back and revising your work later. But that’s all. No computers or tablets are necessary. In fact, I discourage fancy tech at these things. Usually, the best work happens organically—you know, doodles and notes—not after opening a new file (and after getting distracted with email and push notices, of course).
What will happen at this workshop?
The workshop is comprised of four components: 1) freewrites, 2) reading published work, 3) sharing our work with each other, and finally, 4) constructive feedback.
Freewriting sessions can be anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes long, usually. This is when we write non-stop—without self-critique, revision, or evaluation—and get ideas onto the page. The best, most surprising ideas happen this way.
Then to learn to be better writers, we must learn from great writers. We do this by reading “finished” work by professionals. We’ll read, discuss, and then apply some of their writing techniques to our own work.
Finally, every good writer must share their work at some point along the way. The workshop is a safe space do this. Remember, we’re in this together. We will, as the great Samuel Beckett once said, “fail better.” And don’t worry. All feedback will begin positive, and then some suggestions may follow.
Freewriting sessions can be anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes long, usually. This is when we write non-stop—without self-critique, revision, or evaluation—and get ideas onto the page. The best, most surprising ideas happen this way.
Then to learn to be better writers, we must learn from great writers. We do this by reading “finished” work by professionals. We’ll read, discuss, and then apply some of their writing techniques to our own work.
Finally, every good writer must share their work at some point along the way. The workshop is a safe space do this. Remember, we’re in this together. We will, as the great Samuel Beckett once said, “fail better.” And don’t worry. All feedback will begin positive, and then some suggestions may follow.
Why does this workshop thing even exist, anyway?
To be whole and healthy people we must challenge ourselves to engage with each other in profound and honest ways. It has been difficult to be connected recently. This workshop—this mindfulness center—is a way to share ourselves and our stories. We need to engage with our happiness, sadness, discoveries, new ideas, and fears. That what I aim to accomplish in this time and space.
My hope is someday to publish our finest stories online, have community readings, and hold literary events. I want to surprise the community with what we’ll uncover during these workshops.
My hope is someday to publish our finest stories online, have community readings, and hold literary events. I want to surprise the community with what we’ll uncover during these workshops.