CREATIVE WRITING 

Therapen: Writing the poetry of witness
John Caddy
Life is a mixed bag for everyone. Whatever our circumstance, life gets hard at times. What we learn from hard times, though, are survival skills, often cause for celebration. In this class students will explore through poetry their life experience toward the goal of healing. The focus of the class will be, "Shared pain shrinks, shared joy grows." No prior writing experience is required. The class will learn, by doing, the basic skills of poetry and methods of gentle response to others' writings. Privacy will be respected throughout.
Class ID: G501
Date/Time: 6 Tuesdays, April 1-May 6, 6:30-8:30 PM
Age/Level: Adults, no experience necessary
Tuition: $125 Member/$145 Non-Member
Location: Tamarack Nature Center

Traditional or Self-Publishing: Putting yourself in print
J. Michael Blumer
This seminar presents a realistic scenario about different paths to getting published. Students will receive practical advice about turning their writing into print, the marketing and distribution of self-published books, and resources available to help them in the process. Students will learn: the realities of becoming published, and ways to help increase their odds; how to get closer to your goal; the pros, cons, frustrations and advantages of agents; print on demand, self-publishing, how to get help editing, marketing and more! Biographical note: Mike is author of the young adult fantasy series The Secret Books of Gabendoor.
Class ID: G502
Date/Time: Sunday, April 6, 1:30-4:30 PM
Age/Level: Adults, Teens, Beginners and Beyond
Tuition: $25 Member/$30 Non-Member
Location: WBCA

Writing for Absolute Beginners
Jorie Miller
Learning to write begins with a longing to bring something that is inside you out into the world. This class will give you the skills to get started. You’ll learn ways of generating a first draft and how to
keep a writer’s notebook. You’ll learn basics of writing memoir, short story, and poetry. Class topics include writing family stories, creating characters and plot, and using poetry to strengthen your
attention to language. This class emphasizes how techniques from one kind of writing can be used in another. You’ll also learn to give and receive feedback in a way that always seeks to help the writer. We’ll use work by writers such as Natalie Goldberg, Mary Oliver, Patricia Hampl, and William Stafford as sources of inspiration and example. We’ll do many in-class writing exercises followed by the opportunity for you to share your work. Optional weekly assignments will always be given.
Class ID: H502
Date/Time: 6 Tuesdays, June 17-July 29, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM ( No class July 1)
Age/Level: Adult
Tuition: $125 Member/$145 Non-member
Material fee: $5.00 copy fee
Location: Masonic Lodge

Bio: Jorie Miller teaches creating writing to adults at The Loft. She especially understands beginning writers and how to encourage first steps into the writing process. Her students have gone on to publish, win writing awards, and pursue further studies. Her work has been published in journals such as ArtWord Quarterly, California Quarterly, and Fifth Column. She is also a contributor to the anthology Healing with Words: Our Stories of Miscarriage.