Winter 2004 Workshops at Writers & Books

A Woman’s Voice

Paradoxically, the most constructive thing women can do… is to write, for in the act of writing we deny our mutedness and begin to eliminate some of the difficulties that have been put upon us.—Dale Spender

A Woman’s Voice is a 12-session project for women of all ages and backgrounds to come together to share their life experiences through writing in an open, non-critical workshop setting.

The goal of “A Woman's Voice” is to teach women to write regularly, to keep a journal of their thoughts, observations and personal stories. Women will learn the ground rules of how a writing group is structured and receive guidance in constructive ways of giving feedback.

In a larger context, this project offers an opportunity for women to explore their own lives within the context of their community and culture and to be supported by a group of women with similar expressive goals.

The project consists of five groups of women distinguished by age and life situation meeting once a week for 12 weeks. Two of the groups, women ages 35–55 and women ages 50+, will meet at Writers & Books (see course descriptions below). Three other groups, including teens and seniors, will meet at organizations around the city.

The 11th session of the series of 12 workshops will bring all five groups together for a day of sharing and learning about continuing the group process with guest artist Diane Gallo, an award-winning poet and teaching artist. Gallo will lead us in sharing “moments of change” from our lives.

The project will culminate in an anthology of writings from all five of the groups. In the early Summer there will be a public reading and publication party.

This project is partially supported by a grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

A Woman’s Voice

• For women ages 35-55
• Twelve Wednesdays, January 14 – May 5, 7–9 pm,
• (No class March 3, March 17, March 24, April 7, April 14)
• $216 W&B members / $240 general public
• Instructor: Karen vanMeenen [ bio ]

or

• For women over 50
• Twelve Thursdays, January 15 – April 1, Noon–2 pm
• $216 W&B members / $240 general public
• Instructor: Anaïs Salibian [ bio ]

In this continuation of our highly successful Spring 2003 series, a safe, open forum will allow women to write stories, poems, essays and diatribes about what is important to them, what changes have taken place in their lives over time and space, and what remains the same.

Participants will be particularly encouraged to keep personal journals, and the class will explore various means of doing so while maintaining interest in the process.. Women will share these writings—which will take many forms, according to individual interests—as well as read passages from some of the great women diarists and other writers working in a personal style.

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