Spring 2008 Workshops at Writers & Books

Creative Writing

Nature Journaling: Reflecting on the World around Us

SA8-C01
1 Saturday,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 7 at Gell
$35 W&B members / $39 general public
Instructor: Angela Cannon-Crothers

Naturalists like Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman wrote on nature as inspiration for meaning in life. Modern day biologists and writers like Barbara Kingslover, Steven Jay Gould, and Annie Dillard enlighten our understanding of the natural world.  Whether you are a scientist or nature appreciator, this workshop will give you the opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region while offering the opportunity to reflect on your unique sense of place.  How do we build on our relationship with the earth in the face of environmental issues?  What roles do we play collectively and individually as a part of global ecological change?  We will visit a Timber-frame tree house and a model of Thoreau’s Walden Pond cabin to share readings from inspired naturalists.  We’ll also hike the trails around the Gell Center with plenty of time for our own writing or sketching to occur.  Wear hiking shoes and be prepared to spend some time outdoors, rain or shine. Open to anyone, teens through adult. Bring a bag lunch and/or a dish to pass.

Register Online

The 2000 Word Club

SA8-C02
8 Mondays, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
June 2 through July 21
$159 W&B members / $165 general public
Instructor: Len Messineo

This class allows students to write and share short fiction and/or creative non-fiction with an enthusiastic audience. The focus will be to study the techniques of fiction and non-fiction side-by-side in order to help students write timely, high-impact, publishable narratives in 2000 words or less. The instructor will also focus on marketing your short pieces.

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The Energies of the Four Seasons: Nature Writing and the Inner Landscape—Spring (The first in a four-part series)

SA8-C03
1 Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 17
$35 W&B members / $39 general public
Instructor: Anais Salibian

The Gell Center is the perfect place to get inside nature and let it get inside us. At this meeting we will do writing exercises grounded in the outdoor world. Perhaps you will write in the Tree House, by the stream, on the deck, or even looking out at a beautiful view from the lodge’s windows. Nature can speak to you, informing you about how to make transitions, deal with gains and losses in our lives, let go of one season and welcome another.

We’ll do seasonal Qi Gong exercises, used in traditional Chinese meditation to help align people with the energies of the season. Together, these healing and writing exercises will launch us into writing about the cycles in our lives. We’ll draw inspiration from authors who use nature as grounding and metaphor. We’ll write and read to each other from our own stories and poems about the relationship between the inner and outer landscape.

Course Canceled

Writing the Labyrinth

SA8-C04
1 Saturday, 10:30am-12:30pm    [ONE DAY]
May 31
$25 W&B members / $29 general public
Instructor: Karen vanMeenen

A leading labyrinth researcher writes, "A walker leaving the labyrinth is not the same person who entered it, but has been born again into a new phase or level of existence." Join us for a brief introduction to the labyrinth as an ancient tool for healing and creativity and a walk (or two) on a canvas six-circuit Cretan labyrinth. After the walk, participants will have the opportunity to respond to writing prompts about this experience and to share their reactions and writings with the group.

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Creative Journaling

SA8-C05
6 Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m.
May 20 through June 24
$159 W&B members / $165 general public
Instructor: Maria Gillard

A wide open creative writing experience for self-exploration and personal growth, this workshop is designed to get in touch with the core of who you are. It will help you define your emotions, dreams, and patterns and see them more clearly. We will use a variety of exercises that allow thoughts and feelings to emerge in an atmosphere of fun and trust. Creative journaling is an extremely useful tool for self discovery and a good way to find deeper meaning in your life. Come with an adventurous spirit. Open to all levels of writers. No previous experience with journaling is necessary.

Course Canceled