Workshops & Developmental Editing

Science corroborates that translating events into language can encourage healing from past trauma as well as increase resilience when facing other negative issues. Writing has been shown to improve overall heart health, brain health and the actual healing of physical wounds. Expressive writing reduces intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events and improves working memory. These improvements, researchers believe, may in turn free up our cognitive resources for other mental activities, including our ability to cope more effectively with stress. Writing has been found to reduce anxiety and depression, improve grades in college, aid people in a variety of things, from increasing the ability to forgive to finding a job. Introductory information and exercises can be discussed in a one-time session. In a 4 or 6-meeting session, we will learn more about the science that proves writing can improve healing, and illustrate it through a series of exercises. “Homework” will encourage students’ continued practice. Each meeting with begin with a warm-up writing exercise and feedback on how their individual healing and writing process is going, then introduction of a new healing-through-writing tool.

Gratitude has been scientifically proven to improve both physical and psychological health. While we all know to say “please” and “thank you,” practicing gratitude in a meaningful way, takes, well, practice! Over time, (and as quickly as three weeks) one can alter his or her own physical brain structures. These changes can enhance empathy and reduce aggression, andimprove sleep, self-esteem and mental strength.

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In a stand-alone session, I will discuss the science behind the claims above in a way everyone can understand. I will teach participants some of the most basic and easy-to-continue gratitudepractices. We will begin together in the session, and I will give tips and tools, as well as recommend websites, podcasts and books.

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In a five or six-week session, I will introduce several different practices each session. This assortment of practices will ensure that every participant will have several options that suit them best for continued life-long practice. A series of sessions will increase the likelihood of this work becoming a daily and rewarding practice. Each session will also include participant and instructor feedback on experiences.

“How do I know what I think until I see what I say?”
― E.M. Forster

In this class, we will learn more about ourselves and make better sense of life events, decisions, and our paths. We will we will discover the lens(es) through we which we will we will discover ourselves as a “character” and therefore, more clearly. We will learn how to write honestly and compassionately. We will draw correlations between repeated/patterned events. We will attempt to more fully understand the actions of others, which will lead us to more fully understand ourselves. Our primary goal will be to get our pasts on the page. For those that are interested, our next step will be to turn our personal revelations into substantive, evocative, and powerful work for outside readers.

Accountability sessions are offered as a class, or to individuals. When taught as a class, students will be given prompts and we will use class time to write together. Writers of all genres and all skill levels are encouraged to join, and each student will be encouraged to create their own goal as to what they hope to accomplish on their current writing project; students are even offered a contract to complete as a motivational tool. Individuals will be given “mandatory” writing time(s) and asked for word or page counts as agreed upon.

In group settings, students will choose whether or not they want to share parts of their writing in each class  (and as time allows), but they’ll be encouraged to at least tell the group how many words or pages they wrote. 

I will provide weekly readings and craft essays as “homework.” Via email, students will receive brief tips on writing and balancing other responsibilities, as well as encouragement in-between sessions. Students will be held accountable by the instructor to meet their goals. I promise to create a nurturing and collaborative culture, even as we work on our individual projects.