Every writer has a story that won't leave them alone—a story that insists on being written, yet resists being told. Perhaps the story implicates someone you love or challenges a long-held family narrative. Maybe it asks you to reconsider your own understanding of the past. Whatever the reason, these are often the stories that carry the greatest emotional charge—and the ones we second-guess, resist, stifle or abandon before we've discovered what they're really trying to say. In this three-hour generative workshop, we'll explore the psychological and creative challenges of writing difficult material with honesty, clarity, and compassion. Through discussion, published examples, guided writing exercises, supportive sharing, and craft-focused brainstorming, we'll examine the forces that keep us from the page—from the inner censor to shame, fear, and loyalty—and explore ways to stay in conversation with the work long enough for deeper truths to emerge. We'll also discuss some of the practical questions that arise once the writing is done: what we owe the people in our stories, how to navigate concerns about privacy and publication, and how to honor both the work and ourselves.
This workshop will take place in-person and online.
Saturday, January 30th, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST
Every writer has a story that won't leave them alone—a story that insists on being written, yet resists being told. Perhaps the story implicates someone you love or challenges a long-held family narrative. Maybe it asks you to reconsider your own understanding of the past. Whatever the reason, these are often the stories that carry the greatest emotional charge—and the ones we second-guess, resist, stifle or abandon before we've discovered what they're really trying to say. In this three-hour generative workshop, we'll explore the psychological and creative challenges of writing difficult material with honesty, clarity, and compassion. Through discussion, published examples, guided writing exercises, supportive sharing, and craft-focused brainstorming, we'll examine the forces that keep us from the page—from the inner censor to shame, fear, and loyalty—and explore ways to stay in conversation with the work long enough for deeper truths to emerge. We'll also discuss some of the practical questions that arise once the writing is done: what we owe the people in our stories, how to navigate concerns about privacy and publication, and how to honor both the work and ourselves.
This workshop will take place in-person and online.
Saturday, January 30th, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST