Writing Wild!

WRITE WILD: A FREE WRITING EVENT

Join fellow writers to experience the ancient ruins of Walnut Canyon, respond to writing prompts, and share your writing if desired.

June 27, 2024

9:30-10:00 Rim Walk (Optional)

10 a.m.-11:30 Writing Together

11:30 Brown Bag Lunch and Exploration of history of peoples who lived in the canyon from C. E. 600-1400. (Optional)

RSVP: Barbara@WisdomSeekersAZ.com

Walnut Canyon National Monument

3 Walnut Canyon Rd., Flagstaff

Meet at Picnic Area

$20 Park Entrance Fee per vehicle, Senior Pass, or Car Pooling Available

Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and laptop or pen & paper.

Awakening the Creative Spirit

 

Learn and practice strategies to jumpstart your creative process, whether you are just starting out with artistic expression, experiencing art block, or want to rejuvenate your journey of self-development.

In CCC’s art studio, we will create mandalas, journey circles, and ensos as methods of calming, reflection, creative meditation, and self-definition. You will also learn techniques for centering and focusing to find and harness the flow in your creative process.

Register for $55

Every Wed from Jul 12 - 26th, 2023 

3:45 - 5:45 pm

@ Lone Tree Campus

Dr. Michelle Gray has over 40 years of experience in Expressive Arts and Coaching. She has used Depth Psychology and Mindful Living practices, both professionally and personally in her adult life. She has recently retired from her Psychology and Marriage and Family practices and is now focusing on bringing health and well-being coaching practices to those making transitions (retirement, kids launching, divorce, new career, new environs). Michelle is a member of the International Coaching Federation, which is the Gold Standard for Coaches.

Announcing:

Write Night!   

@ 

Bookman's Cafe

Compelling Openings Course

Hook Your Reader 

on 

the First Page

A Uniquely Formatted Online Course to Create a Compelling Opening 

What to Expect:

• Starting 9/14, participants have 12 days to watch instructional videos and do exercises via a private webpage. Participants spruce up or create a dynamic opening for a book, memoir, or short story of up to 300 words. 
• By 9/25, opening pages are submitted to C@CAlexSmith.com who will anonymously distribute them to participants via a link.
• By 10/4, participants review other writers’ openings and answer three questions: 
• Does it make you want to turn the page and keep reading? 
• What hooked you? 
• What would have been an even stronger hook? 
• Instructor emails summary of participant feedback to each writer prior to 10/9. 
• On 10/9, group meets on Zoom from 1-3 p.m. to review and discuss feedback received.

FREE!

Registration Due by 9/14

Limited to 15 participants

Register Here 

Questions: 

C@CAlexSmith.com

(928)779-6368

C. Alex Smith started her writing career as a political blogger on the Daily Kos in 2008. She was invited to be one of three editors on a well-researched weekly blog concerning economics, politics, environmental concerns, medicine, and science.  There, she cultivated far left celebrities to guest post on the blog including Robin Upton (host of  Unwelcome Guests), Gar Alperovitz (author of Beyond Capitalism), Roger Rothenberger (author of Beyond Plutocracy), and Prof. Richard D. Wolff (Economic Update, The New School in NY). She was also instrumental in getting the blog reposted on several political news sites and maintained the blogs social media presence. 

She moved on in 2014 to being the host of Spec Fix Pix, a podcast for fans of Sci Fi, Fantasy and Horror. 

After moving back to Arizona in 2018, she became a co-founder of Flagstaff Writers Connection. She continues to work for FWC to maintain their internet presence, host the local Critique Circle and Publishing Club, and to provide occasional workshops and courses on writing and the publishing industry.

Since 2008 she has been writing science fiction and alternate history. She has five complete manuscripts and three partial manuscripts. Two of her manuscripts took second place at the Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest.

Polish Your Poems with Brian Evans-Jones

 Flagstaff Writers Connection 

is pleased to present a 

Poetry Workshop 

with 

Brian Evan-Jones.

April 30th

12-3 pm

on 

Zoom

The hardest part of poetry isn’t writing the first version: it’s knowing how you can redraft to make your idea fulfill its potential. Even experienced poets can find themselves scared to push a poem as far as it will go, while beginners may not know what to do beyond changing a word here or there. In this workshop, poet and teacher Brian Evans-Jones will show you how you can radically rework your poems in three vital areas: structure and overall ideas, form and approach, and power of language. Through practical writing exercises, you’ll learn key things you can do to take a poem from OK to good, or good to great! 

$50

Suitable for all levels. 

Please bring 2-3 unfinished poem drafts of your own to work on.

Register Here

Comments from Other Participants in Brian’s Workshops 

“Great workshop, really enjoyable and well executed!”

“Brilliant, will definitely help in the future.”

 “Very inspirational.”

“Really great workshop. I feel much less scared about attempting poetry. I am pleased with my progress today and the constructive feedback.”

“Brian’s enthusiasm was infectious.”

“A valuable experience that I'm sure will help me to improve my writing.”

“It was wonderful to get exposure to a fine teacher. A different view, many wonderful points and observations and you were so generous in your instruction.”

“I loved all the tips/methods you recommended we try to use in our poems.”

“I liked your participation with our work, including suggestions.”

“Enjoyed selection of poems; liked having aspects of craft pointed out.”

“Thank you so much for a great workshop; it was wonderful to work with you again.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop.”

Brian Evans-Jones is a former Poet Laureate of Hampshire, England. He won the 2017 Maureen Egen Award from Poets & Writers and his poems have appeared in competitions, magazines, and art events in America and the UK. He has also taught hundreds of poets in workshops, courses, and online in both countries. Through his monthly poetry club Poetry Parlor, he specializes in helping poets of all levels learn how to improve their individual poems and their knowledge of the craft. He publishes free resources on poetry and creativity at his website The Poetry Place.

PERSONAL WRITING WORKSHOP: STYLE, STRUCTURE, AND PURPOSE

 

No Fooling!

With the exception of science writing and technical manuals, isn’t all writing personal? Even academic writing has a personal bias; it’s built around a thesis meant to persuade. 

In this workshop, we’ll examine personal expressions in Micro-memoir, Commentary (spoken for radio or written on the page), Blog, and Personal Essay.

Notice that I’ve left out fiction. As personal as fiction can be, for this workshop, we’ll focus on creative nonfiction. We’ll explore the style, structure, and purpose of nonfiction that makes a point, and supports its premise with the writer’s personal experience.

I look forward to helping you turn your personal writing into a powerful and satisfying practice.

Friday, April 1st: 5:30-7:30 pm

Saturday, April 2nd: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

(Brown Bag Lunch)

$100

REGISTER HERE

Masks optional.

CONTINENTAL COUNTRY CLUB

2380 N. Oakmont Dr., Flagstaff, AZ

Margaret Erhart 

earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She is the author of five novels and many essays and articles. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and most recently in Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine. Her commentaries have aired on NPR. Her fourth novel, Crossing Bully Creek, won the Milkweed National Fiction Prize. Her fifth, The Butterflies of Grand Canyon, was a finalist for an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. She has taught poetry to first-graders in Tuba City, and fiction to college students. She lives and works in Flagstaff, Arizona. Find her at www.margareterhart.com

Call Barbara Shovers for more information: 480-612-2461.

Flagstaff Writers Connection is a big fan of NaNoWriMo. We host multiple write-ins in the month of November and encourage everyone to write their novel in the 30 days of November.

Now Flagstaff Writers Connection wants to introduce a new October tradition: 

Ready, Set, Write

Everyday in the month of October we will host a Zoom with 1-3 writing exercises to get you ready to write a whole novel in November. You do NOT have to be a contestant in NaNoWriMo to join the fun. Exercises will be geared to all kinds of story development at all speeds.

We will cover:

• Brainstorming an Idea
• Filling in the Plot Points
• Character Development
• Setting and Worldbuilding
• Terrible Endings
• Twists and Reversals
• Important Scenes
• Problem Solving/Getting Stuck

Sessions will be everyday at 12:15-12:55 on this Zoom Link. 

Meeting ID: 975 7936 9345

Passcode: 5WS8M3

Bring paper and pen or a computer for writing. If you miss a session the sessions will be posted HERE.

Companion Workbook

Get ready to smoke the competition!

Playwriting Workshop: Bringing Your Story to Life

Ever wondered what it would be like to see your story on the stage? 

Afflicted: Daughters of Salem by Laurie Brooks,
commissioned and premiered by the Coterie Theatre, Kansas City, MO

Flagstaff Writers Connection presents three workshops with 
Laurie Brooks.

Award-winning playwright Laurie Brooks has graciously offered to donate her time to give three workshops. Playwriting develops skills that enhance all types of writing. Participants will discover the art of playwriting through instruction, writing exercises, discussion and laughter. 

Triangle by Laurie Brooks,
commissioned and premiered by Arizona State University.

Each participant will have the opportunity to write a ten-minute play worthy of entry into Northern Arizona Playwriting Showcase (NAPS). 

Workshop #1	Workshop #2	Workshop #3
7/10/20	7/18/20	8/8/20
10 am-2 pm	10 am-3:30 pm	10 am-3:30 pm
Play Structure	Dialogue	Dramaturgy Tutorial
Character Development	Theatricality	Informal Readings of 10 min Plays
Dramatic Premise & Theme	Formatting	Thoughtful Feedback
Review and Renewal	Stage Direction

The first workshop is $25 and the other two Workshops costs $50. 

Or register for all three at once for $125. 

If you already attended the first workshop, it is FREE to attend the refresher on 7/10/20.

Register Now using a Credit Card

Registration by Mail

The Third Workshop will be held at Nancy Brehm's house on her outside patio.

Schedule:

9:30 am-10:00 Registration and Social
10:00-12:00 Instruction
12:00-1:30 Lunch (Brown Bag it, or eat downstairs at the Oakmount Restaurant)
1:30-3:30 Instruction

Laurie Brooks is an award-winning playwright and young adult fiction author. Her eighteen published plays have been commissioned and premiered at equity theaters across the country, including The John F. Kennedy Center. Her young adult novel is Selkie Girl, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Random House Children’s Books. The recipient of three Distinguished Play Awards and the Chorpenning Cup from The American Alliance for Theatre in Education, AT&T FirstStage Grant, New York Foundation for the Arts grants and multiple new plays supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Laurie has been Professor at New York University, where she graduated with an MA in Educational Theatre, and Artist in Residence at University of Texas Austin, Arizona State University and The Coterie Theater, Kansas City, MO. Four of her plays were commissioned and premiered in Cork, Ireland.                                                        She has presented writing strategies on theatre, playwriting and fiction writing across the country, including at Theatre Communications Group (TCG) National Conference at the Guthrie Theatre, the HYPE Institute at Alley Theatre in Houston, the ASU Piper Writing Center and the National Conference of Teachers of English, (NCTE) ALAN Conference. Above all, Laurie loves the collaborative nature of theatre and sharing the craft of writing with others.

                                

Nature Writing Retreat: Eco Poetry & Prose

with 

poet, author, and writing instructor

Pam Davenport

“Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

~Mary Oliver, The Summer Day

Spend the day remembering you are part of Nature. This all day retreat in a Garden Setting will break down the barriers between you and the natural world. See things differently and discover how to use your Poetry and Prose to live and breathe and even to facilitate change.

Saturday, September 14

Check-In at 9:30 am

Instruction 10 am-4 pm

at

Flagstaff Arboretum

Fee $50 before Sept 1 

and $60 in Sept.

(Includes entrance to Arboretum)

Participants limited to 25

Register by mailing Registration Form and Check payable to  Nancy Brehm

925 N. Sinagua Heights Dr.

Flagstaff, AZ 86004

For more info call or email Nancy at: 

928-527-3188

nbrehm@aol.com

Arrive early and stay until 5 pm to enjoy the gardens. The Arboretum has lots of paths, a butterfly garden, a mushroom garden, art, a pond, and a climate change center. Maps and tours will be available after 9 am.

Participants should bring a brown bag lunch. Coolers will be available. Coffee, tea and muffins will be furnished in the morning. Healthy snacks and desserts will be available during the day. Participants are asked to bring a water bottle for refilling.

Pam Davenport's writing is inspired by the mountains and deserts of Arizona. After decades of teaching college writing and literature classes, Pam earned a Masters of Fine Arts in writing from Pacific University in Oregon. Her chapbook, A Midwest Girl Thanks Patti Smith won the Slipstream Chapbook Competition and will be published this summer. She has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and recipient of Arizona Authors' Assc. Annual Award for Poetry. Her poems have been published in Nimrod, Tinderbox, Slippery Elm, Poetry of the American Southwest, Chiron, New Verse News, and Pittsburgh Poetry Review.

After the Workshop

We had a great group on Sat for this workshop. The facilities were beautiful and the weather was perfect for our outside writing. Thanks to all who participated for making the workshop and the readings extraordinary.

Mark James, Flagstaff Arboretum Docent, gave a wonderful talk prior to our workshop on Sat. Plants discussed included columbine, yarrow, larkspur and puke weed. Thank you Mark for all the interesting info.

Point of View & Voice Workshop

by Margaret Erhart

This all day workshop will help you with effective use of Point of View and Voice.

June 1st

9am to 4pm

The day includes:

• Presentation
• Discussion
• Writing Activities

The workshop will be held at the Flagstaff Senior Meadows Clubhouse.

1351 N. Pine Cliff Dr. in Flagstaff.

Parking is limited but you can park in the Basis School parking lot across the street.

Fee $40

(Includes Lunch)

Participants limited to 20

Register by mailing Registration Form and Check payable to  Nancy Brehm

925 N. Sinagua Heights Dr.

Flagstaff, AZ 86004

For more info call or email Nancy at: 

928-527-3188

nbrehm@aol.com

Margaret Erhart earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She is the author of five novels and many essays and articles. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and most recently in Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine. Her commentaries have aired on NPR. Her fourth novel, Crossing Bully Creek, won the Milkweed National Fiction Prize. Her fifth, The Butterflies of Grand Canyon, was a finalist for an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. She has taught poetry to first-graders in Tuba City, and fiction to college students. She lives and works in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Find her at www.margareterhart.com