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The intensives are designed to be like a retreat in beautiful places, where we meet and write and eat and meet and write and eat again. Those who like to cook (like me) can cook, which is a way to clear the mind for writing/creating. The tuition for the weekend intensives is usually in the ballpark of $300 for the three-days, including wonderful food. Sometimes it’s a bit more, if we’re also providing a place for you to stay. Less, if you don’t need one. Tuition for the one-day workshop is generally about $125.

Below is a typical schedule for the weekend intensive, so that you have a sense of what we are doing when, what to bring, and what to expect. The times are approximate: We'll go a shorter or longer, depending on the size of the group and how much time we need for response. 

FIRST: THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF WHAT'S THE STORY?

confidentiality

For purposes of both privacy and propriety, I request that those involved in the workshop hold to a commitment to confidentiality about the stories they hear within the group process and not share either the content or spirit of that material outside the group until the writer chooses to share her work with the public.

content 1- let it be rough

There are phases in this work. It's like archaeology: You need to dig up a bunch of dirt in order to find treasures. I call the digging "raw material." Let it be whatever it is. Don't censor, don't necessarily refine, and don't worry. The group process is designed to help you sort through the raw material for gemstones and fossils and stuff that shines. In this short weekend, you may find yourself digging the whole time, but I promise you glints in the sand, signposts as to where you might be headed. And there's always the internet, so we can continue the conversation.

content 2 - don't be afraid to go somewhere you don't want to go

You are under no obligation to touch upon, much less dig into any material you don't want to deal with. If things get dicey, tell me or us to back off. You are totally in charge of boundaries. This process may be thera-peutic for some people, but it is not thera-py and I am not a thera-pist. I'm an artist and a teacher. This process is about finding voice, about culling from the morass of our experience something that speaks to others. It's about not being alone. It's about finding where our story intersects with the story of the other. It's about shining light. 

commitment to constructive response

The response structure I have created for this work is designed to be constructive, empathic and deeply personal, and to give writers information that I believe to be useful to you, as you plumb personal experience for what story there is that might be of use and interest to others. If it does not feel constructive, please say so, so we can have a conversation.

A SAMPLE WEEKEND

Friday evening: 7 to 9:30pm

BRING one to two pages of brand new writing. We'll have tea and snacks. You are welcome to bring something to share, as well.

an introduction to the rhythm of response

Saturday: 9am to 6pm

BRING writing* and something to write with (laptop, paper, pen). Again, we'll have tea and snacks. You are welcome to bring something to share, as well. If you're free to stay around for an early dinner, please bring a dish.

9 to 12:30 - group work

12:30 - 2:30pm - lunch and writing

2:30 to about 5:30 - group work

6 to about 8:00 - dinner

Sunday morning

10:00 to 2:00 - brunch and a final round of response (you are invited to bring something to share); OR we sometimes do a reading of new works for a friendly, invited audience. It all depends on the nature of the work, and the preference of the group.

downtown LA

Bucks County, PA

outside Seattle, WA