Writing Workshops with Beth Johnson
THE LANGUAGE OF GRIEF—WRITING THROUGH LOSS AND CHANGE
Are you going through a life change? Have you lost a job, a home, a loved one? Is your health declining? Is your relationship in transition? Are you letting go of a dream?
In this 8-week writing workshop we will explore and express the grief and joy of being human in a changing world.
MONDAY NIGHTS, 7-9PM:
Feb 27-April 23 (8 weeks) (no class on 4/2)
FRIDAY MORNINGS, 10am -12pm:
Feb 24-April 20 (8 weeks) (no class on 4/6)
$160 (sliding scale available)
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In all writing workshops, we use the AWA writing method, developed by Pat Schneider. It affirms that:
1/ Everyone has a strong, unique voice
2/ Everyone is born with creative genius
3/ Writing as an art form belongs to all people
4/ The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer’s self-esteem
5/ A writer is someone who writes
6/ All writing is considered to be fiction unless the author tells us otherwise
I Provide the Jump Start
In a typical, 2-hour writing workshop, my job is to help everyone feel safe, welcome and inspired. I provide exercises or prompts that free us up, stir memories, and invite us to create characters, settings, dialogue, and description.
Everyone Writes
We write for 15-20 minutes several times during the workshop, and then if you’d like, you can read your writing out loud. Reading is optional. You may pass at anytime.
Compassionate Listening
We learn to listen attentively and offer only positive feedback. Remember, this is fresh, new, first-draft writing that we haven’t even read ourselves yet so when we respond to work, we offer only praise, telling the writer —what was strong, what we liked, what stayed with us. In this way, we build trust and self confidence, and nurture the courage to look deeply and write about difficult life experiences.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or are putting pen to paper for the very first time, please join us on the path to happiness. For more information about the AWA method, visit www.amherstwriters.com.
Interested? Questions? Want to know more? Email beth@riversongmeditation.com or call 916/212-0062
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Writing as a Path to Happiness
Although happiness can be elusive, research points to expressive writing as an effective remedy to depression, anxiety, mood disorders and illness.
Please join us as we explore the power of language to affirm our experience. Playing with words and imagination through creative writing activities we can witness our truths and be transformed through the ceremony of creating and sharing story.
Thursdays, 10am-12pm (join at any time)
Cost: $80 for four-week session. Sliding scale available.
Interested? Questions? Want to know more? Email beth@riversongmeditation.com or call 916/212-0062
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