YES, YOU'RE A REAL WRITER: WINTER SOLSTICE COMMUNITY RETREAT
YES, YOU'RE A REAL WRITER: WINTER SOLSTICE COMMUNITY RETREAT
ONLINE VIA ZOOM WITH CAROLYN ZAIKOWSKI
WHEN: SUNDAY 12/21, from 11AM-5PM ET
WHERE: Virtual via Zoom
SLIDING SCALE COSTS:
$350: Pay-it-forward price
$250: Regular price
$150: Support price
DESCRIPTION:
Maybe you write all the time or maybe you haven't for years. Maybe your writing mind felt squashed by how you were taught in school or an MFA program. Maybe you seek to publish, or maybe you write in journals for yourself in the middle of the night.
What matters is simply this: Do you have a heart connection, whether manifest or latent, to the alchemical, creative potential of language? A fundamental pull to words? Are you drawn to words as in a kindred spirit, a friend, a guiding light, a mystery to hang out with?
Then you are a "real" writer.
You don't have to be published nor write every day to be whatever a real writer supposedly is. Nor follow the mythological routines of fabled writers outlined in Buzzfeed listicles, nor heed tyrannical advice about inflexible timelines and goals. Writing is not a math problem to solve. Here, we'll explore the ancient wellspring and birthright of creativity--and the purposes of art and writing that go far beyond what modern capitalist culture has taught us about product over process, competition, perfectionism, and supposedly correct approaches.
We'll address our fears; we'll playfully and gently engage with models and mindsets that came far before and go far beyond what we've internalized. Ultimately, we'll see what happens if we receive writing as a gentle friend, while empowering each other to find our personal quirks, visions, voices, intentions, and inner authorities.
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WHO'S IT FOR? Writers in every "level" or genre (short and long nonfiction and fiction, poetry, hybrid and cross-art work, journalling) are welcome, plus those who want some time to re/connect with writing, intentions, and community.
HOW IT WORKS: This is an entirely virtual retreat via Zoom. Time will be broken into:
-Teacher's prompts
-Informal lectures and discussion
-Off-screen sessions (10-45 mins scattered throughout) for solo generative writing and contemplation, with optional and flexible prompts
-Small and large group sharing, reflection
-Intention-setting
-Optional but encouraged breaks, with encouragement to take care of your body through movement, food, hydration, etc.!
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CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, AND OTHER POLICIES:
Zoom link and any related materials will be emailed to registrants by 2 days before the start of class.
Cancellations five days or more before the class begins will receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee. For cancellations after that, there can be no refunds, as time is needed to fill cancelled spots. For similar reasons, there can also be no full or partial refunds for students who miss classes or class periods after the class has begun, or for students who have attended some of class but are dissatisfied. If there is an extenuating circumstance and I have to cancel, students will be fully refunded.
I reserve the right to use my expertise and discretion to remove students from class, without refund, who display behaviors and speech which are racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, ableist, or otherwise disrespectful and non-compliant with class policies (to be discussed on the first day of class) regarding safe spaces and discrimination.
By registering for this class, you are acknowledging that you fully understand and consent to these policies.
