The Bloomington chapter of Women Writing for a Change announced its fall 2015 workshops, which include “Core Writing Circles,” “Writing From the Senses,” “Connected Through Loss,” “Object Lessons” and “Calling Out the Critic.” The workshops begin September 1 and continue through December 3.
“Our circles offer writing prompts and exercise to stretch their writer muscles, whether these be in areas of deepening self-awareness and thinking, or to test the waters of various genre-specific skill sets,” Creative Director Beth Lodge-Rigal said. “We encourage deep listening and feedback practices to help participants tap the truths of their experience and translate them in meaningful ways.”
Lodge-Rigal said women learn in “Calling Out the Critic” to recognize the unhelpful voices that obstruct the writing process and some constructive ways of engaging with those voices to move through blocks and experience more flow with writing.
“The processes we use not only support creativity and stronger writing skills, but offer deeply connective possibilities for people in transition or seeking creative ways of tending to their own healing,” Lodge-Rigal said.
Laura Lasuertmer said she took her first WWf(a)C class in January 2010. She said the classes create a safe space for telling whatever story participants may have, and to gain confidence.
“I’ve learned that writing is a process that has a beginning but not always a clear ending,” she said. “I’ve learned that I need a community to help me write the stories I want to tell.”
Denise Breeden-Ost said her mom invited her to a read-around 10 years ago, and she has participated in classes since. She said as the mother of a young child, she struggled to make time to write, but WWf(a)C gave her a reason to make time.
“Being at WWf(a)C has helped me stay committed to my writing in the face of family needs, scheduling, stress and self-doubt,” she said.
Breeden-Ost said she would be a different person and writer without her decade of classes with the organization. She said the space allowed her to complete the first draft of her first novel.
“The structure of WWf(a)C held the door open to my writing life for me through many years when I had trouble holding it open for myself,” she said. “This kept me sane and helped me grow as a person, as well as providing a home where my writing could flourish.”
Lodge-Rigal said classes are as much about the transformative nature of community listening and learning as they are about the joy of words and story as healing forces in participants’ lives.
“I think the most important thing I’ve learned from our community is that women’s authentic voices matter in a culture that says they don’t,” Breeden-Ost said.
