Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Stories, Poems & Prosecco

A few of my favorite writers.




















My adult students recently gathered for a party.

What were we celebrating? The fact that each of them had written a story or poem or memoir in their own voice...and that they were willing to share it with us.

Each piece welcomed us into another world. A world where a woman wears red boots while pretending to dance with Robert Redford. Where another woman meets Elie Wiesel in a refugee camp. Where a Ukrainian man is on a plane full of Crimean Tatars returning home after being expelled by Stalin more than four decades before.

When I was a kid I felt special because I was a writer. I loved sitting cross-legged on my bed and pouring out ideas onto paper, then shaping them into a form that made me happy. I also loved the way my English teachers beamed approval at me.

Our party on March 16 was a celebration of both things - the private joy of expressing ourselves and the public pleasure of appreciation and applause. Writing is an act of power that can grow tenfold and more when we're heard by others. Truly a cause for celebration!

Friday, March 8, 2019

Lyric Fiction by Mona Stewart-Gettmann

"Snow White" has always been a rich story, thick with beauty and dread. In her new tale about the huntsman who was sent to murder Snow White, Mona Stewart-Gettmann creates a chilling and moving portrait of this unnamed character.








































About the artist/author:  Mona Stewart-Gettmann cannot remember NOT drawing. She took art classes in college, and then writing came later. From reading lots of children's picture books, she's seen first-hand which ones children like.



Tuesday, March 5, 2019

A New Editing Class!


I'm excited to offer a new class for women this spring.

Here are the details:


Creative  * Editing * for Women

Explore ways of shaping your creative work into polished pieces through craft talks and honest, supportive feedback.


4 Tuesdays – April 9 & 23, May 14 & 28
10 a.m. – noon
All experience levels & genres welcome
Meets at Taborspace – 5541 SE Belmont


Over the course of 4 meetings, each participant will have the chance to

~ share at least 2 separate pieces with the group
    up to 5 pages of prose (double-spaced) or poetry (single-spaced)

~ receive written instructor feedback on one piece (up to 5 pages)


$80 for 4 meetings

Limit 8 participants
Preregistration required