"...I was in a Portland Women Writers workshop in 2007, and was in one again in 2008. Since then I've self-published two books - a novel and a poetry compilation for a group...I was home schooled, never went to college, and never would have thought I could write a novel or have a group of poets look up to me as a book editor. When I went to the first PWW workshop I didn't even consider myself a fiction writer, just a poet. The workshop method was instrumental to my growth as a writer and I would recommend it to anyone." ~ Ava Collopy
History
In 2003, Emily Trinkaus began a series of writing workshops based on the Amherst Writers and Artists method developed by Pat Schneider and now used in writing communities around the world. Emily had trained with Pat in Massachusetts, and then led writing workshops through Brooklyn Writers in New York.
The following year, Emily began facilitating her workshops through Portland Women Writers (PWW). In subsequent years, as PWW began to expand its scope and audience, Jenn Lalime, Dawn Thompson, Rhea Wolf, Ali Thacher and Jennifer Sprinsteen began leading workshops as independent facilitators.
A variety of workshops is now offered through PWW, including AWA-style writing practice, Dawn's unique Sacred Story work, Rhea's Inner Fire series, astrological themes, yoga and writing, and more.
In 2010, Jennifer and Ali left PWW to create Portland Writers, a complementary organization more focused on writing itself and offering both women-only and co-ed groups.