Posts Tagged ‘writing workshops’
Cindy on April 30th, 2010
One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something.” — Henry David Thoreau
It’s that time of year. Everyone is gearing up to run marathons and raise funds for a favorite cause or organization, whether it’s breast cancer or juvenile diabetes or the local Boys & Girls Club. I used to feel guilty for not joining Detroit’s annual Race for the Cure, but my bionic hip replacements weren’t designed to meet the long-distance challenge.
Several years ago I came up with another way to honor my paternal grandmother, Ruby Gullion, who had breast cancer. At least once a year, I volunteer to lead writing workshops for William Beaumont Hospital’s Sharing & Caring, an educational support group for breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families. My workshops always focus on the healing aspects of writing and sharing our stories. Since many of the women who attend are new to journal-keeping and personal writing, my job is to talk up the benefits and give them the tools to begin.
For starters, I ask the participants to list a few of the lessons they’ve learned from breast cancer. Or to write about the strengths they didn’t know they had until they were diagnosed and treated.
Giving them 20 minutes of free-writing time, I tell them not to worry about editing their work or even completing the exercise. The goal is to get pens moving and thoughts flowing. Those who are comfortable reading aloud are invited to share what they’ve written with the group. Invariably, every lesson, every story shared, touches another woman in the group who needed to hear it. Most of the women are amazed at what they’ve put into words — and the evenings typically end with tears and hugs and promises to keep on writing.
As many teachers will tell you, I always end up learning more from my “students” than they learn from me. Sharing their struggles, fears, triumphs, and courage, the breast cancer patients and survivors I meet at Beaumont always remind me to treasure every single moment I’m given in this life.
I may have donated my time, but I walk away richer for the experience.
I share this information for two reasons. First, I want to underscore the therapeutic, connective powers of writing — and to remind everyone that “getting published” isn’t necessarily the goal of a writing practice. Secondly, you don’t have to run a marathon or walk miles to support a cause or organization you believe in. You have gifts and talents that you can volunteer to share with others who need your expertise. So get out there and do something. — Cindy La Ferle
Cindy on January 20th, 2010
And there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own.” — Mary Oliver
Part Two of “Poems to inspire,” a new weekly series ….
I admire the way Mary Oliver, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, talks about “voices” in this poem. In writing workshops, we often discuss the voice we hear in every writer’s work. And we listen hard to find our own voice, which isn’t so easy. There’s always a cacophony of inner critics and advisers inside our heads — former teachers, co-workers, spiritual directors, family members, and friends. “The Journey” brings shivers of recognition each time I read it aloud in class. It urges us to make our own path; to listen to the one true voice inside. –CL
THE JOURNEY
By Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.
– Reprinted from New and Selected Poems, by Mary Oliver (Beacon Press); 1992
– Top photo “Journey” by Cindy La Ferle –
Cindy on April 11th, 2009
“Curiosity is the very basis of education, and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I’ll say the cat died nobly.” — Arnold Edinborough
The students in my essay workshops never fail to inspire me with their courage — and their curiosity. They’re employed in every field imaginable, from carpentry to medicine, and they want to expand their creativity through writing and sharing personal stories. As one writer told me in class last week, “I’m pushing way beyond my comfort zone, but I want to see where this will take me.” I so admire that!
I’ve been teaching writing and creativity workshops for several years — and loving every minute. But it’s been way too long since I’ve taken a taken a class myself. It’s time to push past my own comfort zone. I’m always refueled by the creative energy that sparks when people gather in a classroom to explore a new craft or topic. And I love being a student.
Spring is the ideal time for personal renewal and creative jump-starts, so I’m super-excited about the two classes I’m taking this week. On Thursday I begin “The Artist’s Way,” a seven-week program based on the landmark book by Julia Cameron. (I read it a while ago, but never made time to do all the exercises.) The second class, taught by book arts instructor Donna Engstrom, is a two-weekend workshop focusing on mixed-media assemblage. It’s titled “Honor the Inner Voice” — so how could I resist? Both classes are offered at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.
I hope these new classes will inspire me to look at my world in new ways — and satisfy some of my creative curiosity. What dreams do you hope to refuel and renew this spring? — CL
–Photo of Jack B. Nimble by Cindy La Ferle —
Cindy on November 17th, 2008
By learning you will teach. By teaching you will learn.” — Latin proverb
Last week I started leading one of my favorite personal essay series, aptly titled “Writing Your Heart Out.” I should admit upfront that I don’t believe anyone can “teach” another person how to write — but I do think we can help each other give birth to the stories inside us.
Though I’ve been hosting variations of this particular workshop for several years, I’m always touched, inspired, and re-energized by the students taking it.
New writing students never fail to surprise me with their fresh enthusiasm and insight. I’m awed by the beauty of what they write — and I know it takes courage to share their work with strangers in a classroom. Many are stuggling to find time to write, and a few would give anything to quit their day jobs in exchange for full-time writing careers. They remind me that having time for personal expression is truly a gift. –CL
– For a schedule of my workshops, please visit the “Workshops” section. –
Cindy on October 3rd, 2008
Fall is the perfect time to explore your creative side — and to polish those unfinished novels or poems in your desk drawer. There’s still time to register for the Rochester Writers Conference on Saturday, October 11, at Rochester College, Rochester Hills, MI.
Authors and professional speakers will present lectures, workshops, and panel discussions for writers of all levels. (I’m offering a talk on crafting inspirational essays for a variety of markets.) Registration for this affordable one-day program includes two morning sessions, lunch, and two afternoon sessions. Don’t miss the chance to re-energize your writing goals this fall — and to meet and network with fellow novelists, journalists, children’s authors, poets, and dreamers. For more information on presenters, location, and advanced registration, please visit the Rochester Conference Web site.
And I hope you’ll join me at the Royal Oak Public Library on October 14, 7pm, when David Crumm, veteran journalist and editor of the interfaith Web site Read the Spirit discusses the craft of spiritual writing. For more information and to pre-register for these programs, visit the ROPL Web site. –CL
–Photo of author Sandra Chimenti (left) and Cindy La Ferle at “The Writer’s Life” forum (Writer in Residence series) at the Royal Oak Public Library in September. –
It’s that time of year. Everyone is gearing up to run marathons and raise funds for a favorite cause or organization, whether it’s breast cancer or juvenile diabetes or the local Boys & Girls Club. I used to feel guilty for not joining Detroit’s annual Race for the Cure, but my bionic hip replacements weren’t designed to meet the long-distance challenge.
Giving them 20 minutes of free-writing time, I tell them not to worry about editing their work or even completing the exercise. The goal is to get pens moving and thoughts flowing. Those who are comfortable reading aloud are invited to share what they’ve written with the group. Invariably, every lesson, every story shared, touches another woman in the group who needed to hear it. Most of the women are amazed at what they’ve put into words — and the evenings typically end with tears and hugs and promises to keep on writing.
