Writing the Shadow
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said that before we can find the Mother Teresa within us, we must first acknowledge the Hitler who is there as well. Each of us has a dark self, what Carl Jung called the "shadow" part of our psyche. Sometimes we glimpse it in dreams; sometimes it appears in dark imaginings. In this class we'll experiment with timed writing, dream journals, guided imagery, and Active Imagination. Our goal will be to draw the shadow out, recognize it for what it is, and see what we can learn from it--and what it can bring to our creative writing. This class is not therapy, but it can be very therapeutic.
8 sessions, Sept. 14-November 2
Mondays 7:00-10:00pm
Studio School 2nd floor conference room
Enrollment limit: 10
Going to the Elephant: A Creative Writing Workshop
Someone once said writing is the easiest job in the world: "all you have to do is stare at a blank piece of paper until blood comes out of your forehead." Dispell the myth of writer's block. We will silence the critic within, and write in a safe and comfortable environment. This class is for those who have always wanted to write, but lacked the courage--or who used to write, but have stopped making time to do so. Give me your best, and you will come away a better writer. You'll also find out what the title means.
1 session, October 3Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Studio School 2nd floor conference room
Enrollment limit: 10
The Nuts and Bolts of Playwriting
If a playwright writes plays, why isn't the word spelled "playwrite”? “Wright” comes from Old (via Middle) English, meaning “worker” or “maker.” A playwright doesn't simply write a play: he or she drafts it, crafts it, builds it--and the nuts and bolts that hold it together are scenes and monologues. In this class we'll explore structure, treatment, conflict, character development, setting, and plot. We'll talk about differences between writing for the stage and writing for film or television. We'll look at some scenes and monologues to see how they work, and then we'll write several of our own. No previous experience in playwriting is required.
4 sessions, Sept. 15-October 6
Tuesdays, 7:00-10:00pm
Studio School 2nd floor conference room
Enrollment limit: 10
The Studio School is located at 2911-15 Grove Avenue (across the street from VMFA) at the corner of Shepard Street. For information or to register, call Mary Holland or Frank Saunders at 367-0816--or go to http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/.
The Visual Arts Center (formerly The Hand Workshop)
The Creative Spark
Clarissa Pinkola Estes writes about el duende--“the goblin wind” within us which can breathe our creative spark into creative fire. The ember may be a poem, a story, a confession, a play. It may not even know what it is, or wants to be--but it's there. So we'll experiment. The goal of this creative writing class is to fan your ideas and inspirations into flame. We'll use timed writing, dream journals, guided imagery, Active Imagination, and anything else we can think of to get in touch with the stories you want or need to tell--and those needing or wanting you to tell them. Come with an open mind. Be honest and brave. You will come away from this class not only a better writer, but also a clearer thinker.
Tuition: $175 (members $160)
8 Tuesdays October 20 – December 8
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
The Visual Arts Center is located at 1812 Grove Avenue. For more information or to register for classes, call Aimee Joyaux at 353-0094 or go to http://www.visarts.com/.
