writerly news & other tidbits
mid-December 2023
In this issue: writing prompts, golden lines & group poems; new workshop sessions; writer memberships; nonprofit partnerships; LGBTQIA+ youth; gratitudes & solstice blessings.
illuminations
Seven women have joined my 3-week December series, Illuminations: Writing Toward Winter Solstice, showing up to write and listen to one another’s insightful creations each Tuesday. In last week’s workshop I offered the following poem by the 14th-century Persian poet, Hafiz, as one of several prompts to spark our writing:
I once asked a bird,
How is it that you fly
In this gravity of darkness?
She responded, “love lifts me.”
I asked each writer to search for a “golden line”—something that shimmers—then type it into the Zoom chat for a randomly assembled yet interconnected group poem:
Go outside, take walks, observe the world
Your lifelines quench their thirst
I can see in the dark when my inner headlamp is on.
One soars to grab — to reach to a sky of darkness.
I am weightless
Alive, grounded, On Strike
By opening to the presence of light that I cannot see
So we spread the light for silent survivors
january workshops
Searching for a writing community? Do you write letters or diaries, or dabble with poetry, but hesitate to call yourself a writer? Is it difficult to find the time to dedicate to creativity? Does your inner critic disrupt your writing process or instill doubt in your capabilities? If you answered “yes” to any, then workshops may be the antidote!
“Nicole is a great listener and talented responder, the teaching balanced and nuanced. I feel measurably more confident about my writing as a result.”
My Thursday group filled with ongoing participants and there’s only 1 spot left on Wednesdays! So far, just two people have signed up for the Tuesday 8-week series (Jan. 2–Feb. 20, 10am–noon PST) of Writing From Memory or Imagination, with 7 spots available. The registration deadline is next Friday, December 22. Spread the word!
“Nicole created a clear, structured, informal and safe environment that supported my hopes to write without inhibition, (ie. to get out of my own way) so I could go back into the raw material and glean the best from it. The writing prompts were skillfully chosen and paced.”
In addition to the 18 registrants, I’ve sent individual email outreach to 85 potential participants, almost all of whom attended my prior workshops. Of those, about 35 responded, many of them expressing a desire to join a future series. If you’re on my workshops list but didn’t receive email, please check your spam folder or contact me.
awa writer memberships
Can’t yet set aside the time (or funds) to dedicate to a longer series? Amherst Writers & Artists offers an AWA Writer membership, which connects you with the AWA community and introduces you to a variety of workshop facilitators. For $5/month or $50/year, AWA Writer Members are invited to attend eight complimentary online writing sessions per year (with additional writing sessions at a sliding scale, $10-20 USD). Check out the AWA calendar of events for other offerings.
nonprofit partnerships
Last month I co-facilitated a writing workshop with Mary Simmerling for staff & volunteers of RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). The organization provides free, confidential support, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline. These writing sessions are offered in conjunction with the AWA Caregiver Project — designed to reduce isolation, stress and overwhelm for those who provide care on a personal or professional level. Our next workshop session is December 28. [Note: This session is offered separately from another one at the same time for general caregivers.]
“It was truly wonderful to share the facilitator space with you today. I learned from you and benefited so much from your lovely prompt and gentle, soothing ways.” — Mary Simmerling
power of community
In addition, starting in mid-January I’ll be teaching a workshop series on Zoom for LGBTQIA+ Youth (8th–12th grades) via The Intuitive Writing Project (TIWP), a writing-based empowerment program for girls and gender-expansive youth.
The Power of Queer Community: Creative Writing for LGBTQIA+ Youth:
Dates: January 24 + 31, Feb 7 + 14
Times: 4:30–6 p.m. PST
This 4-week introductory workshop provides a brave space for LGBTQIA+ teens — including anyone questioning their identity — to explore alternative forms of writing without the pressure to get it right. Each week we’ll practice writing from a variety of prompts designed to spark imagination and experimentation on the page. Whether they identify as queer, asexual, transgender or nonbinary, young writers in this class are supported to take creative risks. They'll find refuge in an affirming community that values the diversity of self-expression. Class size is limited to 4-6.
If you’re a parent or teacher of middle schoolers or high schoolers (I’ll be contacting you separately!), please spread the word about TIWP’s wonderful offerings. My AWA colleague, Kimberly Lee, teaches Intro to Creative Connection for middle schoolers and journalist Victoria Clayton leads Intro to Literary Journalism (7th-12th grades).
"If your child doesn't absolutely love the first class, let us know before the second class and we will issue a full refund. We want kids to choose to write with us—purely for the joy of it!"
Check out all TIWP’s full schedule of programs, from grade school to college essays!
gratitude
Thanks, I Guess, didn’t happen. However, I’ve had productive writing sessions solo by using gratitudes as prompts. Rather than simply journaling a list of thanks, I use words like “health,” “safety,” “sleep,” or “sunshine” to spark what have become mini-essays with layered reflections on my own fortunate life in light of world events. Try it!
new year planning
Last week I joined Pajama Planning Day, an annual offering from Hello Business, run by the wonderfully upbeat Michelle Ward. In addition, I signed up for her Show Up Squad, described as “a year-long program/accountability group/community that helps small business owners and entrepreneurs set, work through, and complete their business goals.” Loving it so far! One of my business goals for 2024 is to create a new website for my writing and workshops business, Paper-Pencil-Pen. What are yours?
Last year I participated in Janna Marlise Maron’s Personal Plan 30-Day Challenge, which included listing the prior year’s accomplishments. So I spent part of my PJ planning looking back on 2023 and taking stock. Look for my list in the next issue!
winter solstice blessings
Thanks to Winnie Ganshaw who shared this poem with me (unattributed):
May the longest night and the shortest day,
bring rest to your mind and souls, I pray.
May you find guidance and may you find peace,
as the cycle of light will slowly increase.
Embrace the magic that the darkness bears,
breathe deep in the chill and shift in the air.
May you always be blessed with the light from within.
And may well -being be yours as the new cycle begins.
I am watching a neon-glow pink sunset from my window as I send this your way!