Libra
01-07-2010, 09:23 PM
We have openings in this group, meeting Wednesday evenings from 7:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. (or earlier if less than eight people show up). If you're interested, email me at [email protected].
The group will be based on the methods of Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind) and/or Pat Schneider (Writing Alone and With Others). I wrote years ago in Berkeley with Cecile Moochnek, and would love to be part of a weekly group again.
Here's roughly how the group would work: We start with a warm-up, something to get the pen moving and our minds in the present. I like lists, so it could be something like, List 10 items you had in your childhood room, or, List 10 rivers you've crossed, or, List 10 of your favorite words. Then we read them.
Usually a writing group is two hours, and, after the warm-up, is divided pretty much into two writing exercises. I like themes, and/or lines of poetry, so that a focus is provided if one needs it, and also, with poetry, one learns at the same time and hears the work of great poets, someone who's masterful with words and reveals truths. So often a poem will be read, and a line chosen to write from, to spring off of. Or not, depending on where your imagination takes you.
Using Natalie Goldberg's methods, the rules are to keep your hand moving, lose control, be specific, don't think, don't worry about spelling/punctuation/grammar, be free to write the worst junk in America, and go for the jugular. In other words, write to surprise yourself, and say what you really want to say. Amazing things come out. It's a wonderful way to find your voice.
The first writing may be five minutes or so, or 7 minutes. Then, we read (which is always optional, but I've found if you do read, you emerge stronger). This isn't a critical group, so feedback, per Goldberg's method, involves citing strong phrases or sentences that strike you for beauty, power, image, whatever. Those phrases/words/sentences are generally the nugget of your work and, if you choose, a good base for a cleaned-up piece of writing.
The second writing is longer, perhaps 7 to 10 minutes, or longer, depending on time. And afterwards, again, time to share.
Eight people is the perfect number, because you can get the writing and sharing done in the two-hour time frame.
This is not a place to criticize and tear down. It's a place to get the creative juices flowing, find your voice, find your material, be heard. It's a writing practice. Many good things come of it.
As far as a meeting place -- my living room is not quite optimum, so if anyone has a quiet space to meet that would comfortably hold eight people, that would be wonderful and much appreciated.
The group will be based on the methods of Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind) and/or Pat Schneider (Writing Alone and With Others). I wrote years ago in Berkeley with Cecile Moochnek, and would love to be part of a weekly group again.
Here's roughly how the group would work: We start with a warm-up, something to get the pen moving and our minds in the present. I like lists, so it could be something like, List 10 items you had in your childhood room, or, List 10 rivers you've crossed, or, List 10 of your favorite words. Then we read them.
Usually a writing group is two hours, and, after the warm-up, is divided pretty much into two writing exercises. I like themes, and/or lines of poetry, so that a focus is provided if one needs it, and also, with poetry, one learns at the same time and hears the work of great poets, someone who's masterful with words and reveals truths. So often a poem will be read, and a line chosen to write from, to spring off of. Or not, depending on where your imagination takes you.
Using Natalie Goldberg's methods, the rules are to keep your hand moving, lose control, be specific, don't think, don't worry about spelling/punctuation/grammar, be free to write the worst junk in America, and go for the jugular. In other words, write to surprise yourself, and say what you really want to say. Amazing things come out. It's a wonderful way to find your voice.
The first writing may be five minutes or so, or 7 minutes. Then, we read (which is always optional, but I've found if you do read, you emerge stronger). This isn't a critical group, so feedback, per Goldberg's method, involves citing strong phrases or sentences that strike you for beauty, power, image, whatever. Those phrases/words/sentences are generally the nugget of your work and, if you choose, a good base for a cleaned-up piece of writing.
The second writing is longer, perhaps 7 to 10 minutes, or longer, depending on time. And afterwards, again, time to share.
Eight people is the perfect number, because you can get the writing and sharing done in the two-hour time frame.
This is not a place to criticize and tear down. It's a place to get the creative juices flowing, find your voice, find your material, be heard. It's a writing practice. Many good things come of it.
As far as a meeting place -- my living room is not quite optimum, so if anyone has a quiet space to meet that would comfortably hold eight people, that would be wonderful and much appreciated.