Writing Workshops

The art of expressive writing lies not in thinking your material into being, but in allowing it through. In all of Joan's writing workshops you learn how to position yourself in relationship to your material so that your writing feels effortless and true. You learn techniques for finding the voice out of which to speak, writing "into the heat" and following self-prompts to story and meaning. See Calendar for details on specific workshops.

In general, workshops consist of short free-writing sessions combined with planned exercises and individualized directives. Participants read aloud and give and receive feedback in a relaxed and supportive setting. Workshops are small (8-10 people), intensive and suitable for all levels of writers. Unless otherwise specified, all workshops focus on the writing process itself rather than on participants’ past or current work. As such, there are no prerequisites, nor is there an application process.

I was keenly aware of my progress over the weekend as I went to deeper and deeper places in my writing. I felt as if I were tapping into a stream of writing I had not been able to access before...   Sara Cope, Orlando, FL          

Your writing process...has given me access to a part of my consciousness that not only is helping me live my life more fully, but is reconnecting me with my identity as a writer in a way I had, I think, lost sight of...  Betsy Barnum, Minneapolis, MN