SUMMER
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Revising and Re-Seeing
Advanced Creative Writing Workshop
Teacher: Elaine Walters McFerron
This workshop focuses on work currently in progress. A mixed genre of nonfiction and poetry, we will continue to discover what one offers the other. We will also discuss influences and inspirations. Text: Marie Howe- The Kingdom of Ordinary Time
Limited number of participants.
Four Sessions: $150. Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm. July 8-August 19 (Every other week)
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Finding Story – Intention Meets Inspiration
Fiction Workshop
Teacher: Leigh Rastivo
You want to write, yet you can’t seem to begin. This get-to-it weekend workshop will introduce intention to inspiration, providing direction to writers of all levels who want to rouse the muse and focus on the fundamentals of craft. We’ll examine the impact of some of the most effective beginnings in fiction and experiment with a variety of writing exercises and prompts, and we’ll each start writing a new story. We’ll also discuss a plan to maintain the creative impulse. Could be used as a lead in to Leigh’s fall course on plot. Reading materials provided. Limited number of participants.
Weekend $200. July 25, 6pm-8pm; July 26, 10am-3:30pm (Break for lunch); July 27, 10am-12pm
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The Life and Letters of Vincent Van Gogh
Writing as Spiritual Guide
Teacher: Melanie C. Reuter
Through the study of Van Gogh’s letters to his brother, we’ll examine how writing our personal stories serves as a spiritual guide. Participants will write essays based on Van Gogh’s life, then move to writing themes on their personal experiences. Ultimately, we could move into writing a piece of fiction based on what we’ve learned through the examination of our personal experiences.
Text: Van Gogh and God: A Creative Spiritual Quest by Cliff Edwards
DVDs: Lust for Life, starring Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh, and Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius, from A&E’s Biography series.
Four Sessions: $150. Mondays from 6:30pm-8:30 pm beginning July 7 (Every other week)
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Midrash: Risking a Creative Journey as a Means of Spiritual Insight
Teacher: Melanie C. Reuter
Midrash seeks to uncover hidden meanings in Biblical texts, meanings that do not lend themselves to analytical probing. Using particular texts from scripture, this course could focus on either (re-)writing the text or on creating visual art (or both) whereby the familiar can be seen in a new way.
Text: [if we go the visual art route] Handmade Midrash: Workshops in Visual Theology by Jo Milgrom.
Four Sessions: $150. Every Tuesday beginning July 8, 8:30pm-6:30pm
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Praying in Color
Teacher: Melanie C. Reuter
Using sketchbooks and colored pencils or Sharpies, participants will engage in new ways of conversing with God.
Text: Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God by Sybil MacBeth.
One Session: $35 Monday, July 14, 6:30pm-8:30pm
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Private Tutorials
All teachers at THE WRITER’S STUDIO offer private consultations in person or on-line at an hourly rate.
For more information, contact THE WRITERS STUDIO 757.486.6515
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SUMMER INSTRUCTORS
Elaine Walters McFerron is founder of THE WRITER’S STUDIO. She leads workshops in poetry, prose and mixed genre. She holds an MFA in Writing with a concentration in Poetry from The Bennington Writing Seminars of Bennington College, where she is the Alumni Liason and the graduating class facilitator for the academic lectures. She blogs at elainewaltersmcferron.wordpress.com
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Leigh Rastivo holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing with a concentration in Fiction from the Bennington Writing Seminars of Bennington College. She teaches writing at local colleges. and is on staff at PortFolio Weekly, where she writes book reviews, arts articles and “Mother Tongue,” a regular print column on modern motherhood. She has just finished a novel. She blogs at leighrastivo.com.
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The Rev. Dr. Melanie C Reuter holds the Doctor of Ministry in Arts & Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary and a Master of Religious Education degree from Duke University. She has over thirty years of experience in ministry and is passionate about creativity and spirituality. She and her husband Mark reside in Virginia Beach. She blogs at handstosoul.wordpress.com
TO REGISTER:
Call Elaine Walters McFerron at
THE WRITER’S STUDIO Phone 757.486.6515
613 N. Lynnhaven Road, Suite B
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
http://thewritersstudio.us
