The Writers’s Studio Summer 2009 Offerings

THE WRITER’S STUDIO
to convey the sound of the soul
- Marguerite Duras

Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry and Prose
Teacher: Elaine Walters McFerron, MFA

A mixed genre of nonfiction and poetry, we will continue to discover what one offers the other. We will also discuss influences and inspirations and examine the creative process. Text: Donald Hall, White Apples and the Taste of Stone. Limited number of participants. Four Sessions: $150. Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm. July 8, July 21, August 11, August 25.

On Keeping A Journal
Teacher: Elaine Walters McFerron, MFA

Poet Muriel Rukeyser writes, “What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? / The world would split open.” This ongoing workshop is designed to encourage using the journal as point of discovery and witness to a life. Limited number of participants. Four Sessions: $130. Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8:00pm. July 14, August 4, August 18, September 1.

Contact : Elaine Walters McFerron
ewmcf@yahoo.com or
thewritersstudio@yahoo.com

The Writer’s Studio located at
2940 N. Lynnhaven Road
Suite 130
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
757-486-6515

www.thewritersstudio.us

Summer Workshops

There will be at least two classes this summer: Creative Writing; Mixed Genre and On Keeping a Journal. Each will use texts as inspiration. They will begin in July. Contact Elaine@ ewmcf@yahoo.com

April is Poetry Month

In the tradition of William Stafford, Robert Bly and David Lehman,

during the month of April, write a poem everyday.

EWM

Journaling Workshop

The Writer’s Studio 613 N. Lynnhaven Road Virginia Beach, Va 23452 thewritersstdio@yahoo.com   New Workshop Beginning Soon   On Keeping A Journal This workshop will provide direction and inspiration in beginning and maintaining a journal while exercising our creative capacities. Some time will be spent on journal writing as a stepping stone to recording life stories and possibly developing themes for a memoir. Limited number of participants. Four sessions: $130. Monday, March 16, March 30, April 6, April 20. Led by Elaine Walters McFerron, MFA   Contact: Elaine Walters McFerron 650-8735 or email thewritersstudio@yahoo.com or ewmcf@yahoo.com

Advanced Creative Writng Workshop

A new workshop will begin February 24, 2009. We will read Mary Oliver’s book of verse, Thirst. Time will be spent on new work and revision. Come if you have a project or not to work in safe sacred space.

The workshop is led by Elaine Walters McFerron, MFA

call 757-486-6515 or email thewritersstudio@yahoo.com

if you have any questions.

A Reading Of Literary Letters

Call and response, landscapes seen and imagined, visions and affirmations. Letters written in pursuit of literary life among  the daily activity of everyday lives. Sacred words almost whispered from one to another. A calling out and forth. A blend of reverent and irreverent. The reading is being planned for the spring 2009, location TBA.

A Course in Letters

We have moved through letters written by James Wright, William Carlos Williams, Denise Levertov, John Keats, and Emily Dickinson. In the past poems were always inspired by reading letters of writers. But not this time, Inspiration had not come for me or anyone else. I felt frustrated and failed as a teacher.

As an aside, I had asked everyone to write letters to each other  sharing literary process and thoughts regarding life. I also asked that we share writing paper each week.

I walked into the room on Tuesday evening feeling unprepared with only one note for discussion: Reflections on writing letters, written and received. Has it influenced your writing and how?

This discussion lasted more than one hour as people shared what they had received from one another: affirmation, joy, beauty, focus on the particular, the singular. One person looked for a message for the day. They all said they considered every detail: paper, ink, handwriting, stamps, added art work. Several said they used special stamps they had been saving: a Sinclair Lewis, a Marianne More. No one felt alone with words. No one felt abandoned by their intermittent despair about doing good work. Everyone felt heard, seen and even understood.

I discovered that the reading of the literary letters by writers was the back story to what was being written in the letters posted in the last few weeks. I learned to trust my own impulses, questions and suggestions. I felt relief and joy in what had been found.

EWM

Mothers Who Write- Free Workshop

Join us for a free introductory workshop

Mothers Who Write

Teacher: Leigh Rastivo

Based on the larger course, this workshop is intended to jump-start mothers who want to chronicle their experiences in a journal, or as a story.

We’ll use journaling prompts, writing exercises, and the stories of other women as springboards to begin exploring the “true nature of creation” and the many faces of motherhood.

Whether you’re seeking to make sense of it all, or you already know what you want to convey but need some direction, bring your journals and notebooks and join in this gratifying conversation. All other materials supplied.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 6:00 – 8:30 pm. This workshop is FREE.

at THE WRITER’S STUDIO in Virginia Beach.

www.thewritersstudio.us email: thewritersstudio@ yahoo.com

Call to reserve a space. 757-486-6515, Option 5, Leigh

Leigh Rastivo holds an MFA in Writing from Bennington College. She writes regular columns on motherhood for Port Folio Weekly and Richmond Parents, and she teaches writing at Old Dominion University. She is also a fiction writer.

Fall Classes

It is the beginning of the season and classes have begun.

Excitement fills the space as writers settle down from the heat and begin.

The task is to create community where writers feel inspired, supported, encouraged in creating a life of letters.

Fall Writing Classes

With the temperatures turning and the air clear we anticipate a great fall.

I personally am committed to completing several projects before the end of the year. The people who participate at The Writer’s Studio offer inspiration, close reading and dedication to the written word.

Next week a series of new classes begin. We are full of anticipation for what will develop.

Elaine Waters McFerron