"What do I hope to get out of each workshop? Actually I am beyond hope - I am at a near-certainty that I will get wonder, pleasure, surprise, fun, challenge, companionship and inspiration." - D.L., workshop participant
Fundamentally, Portland Women Writers workshops are based on the Amherst Writers and Artists method developed by Pat Schneider and described in Writing Alone and with Others. By offering a safe environment, these workshops support participants to find and express their authentic voice, access their creative power and build community with other women.
The foundation of Schneider's approach is the revolutionary notion that writing is "an art form available for all persons." PWW workshops draw from Schneider's "Five Essential Affirmations:"
1. Everyone has a strong, unique voice. 2. Everyone is born with creative genius. 3. Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational level. 4. The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer's original voice or artistic self-esteem. 5. A writer is someone who writes.
Writing Practice Using the Amherst Writers and Artists method, these workshops offer a safe and supportive environment for writers to create new writing. The facilitator provides writing prompts to inspire the imagination and encourage experimentation with different styles and genres. Writers of all levels of experience and of all genres are welcome. Read more>> Sacred Story Sacred Story work utilizes the powerful tools of guided visualization and writing to help us reclaim our power as authors of our own lives. Once we identify the limiting stories we are telling ourselves about who we are and what we are capable of we can write new stories in alignment with our personal and collective well-being. Read more>>
Astrology and Sacred Story Dawn combines her Sacred Story process with Emily's astrological perspective. We consider the cosmic context of our individual and collective stories, helping us rewrite them with greater awareness. No astrology or writing experience is needed.
Our Stories of Loss & Grief Each of us carries within us profound stories of loss. When we approach these stories as a writer we have the opportunity to enter into a new kind of relationship with them. These stories are also powerful material for our writing because they hold deep truth and authenticity. Read more>>