Cleanse: March 2020, Part 2
Hello again. My last newsletter went out on Sunday, March 15, 2020, and since then it feels a year has elapsed. The only thing I know for certain is that we will each navigate this in our own way.
What follows below is an update on my offerings (spoiler: see you online!) and some writing-related content I've been collecting in the last week. If neither of those interest you, skip to the end and read some poems. I never regret reading poems.
I hope you are doing well under the circumstances, able to take care of yourself and others. I am still not writing, but have turned my focus to teaching online in the next few weeks, which I think will be nourishing. Hope to see some of your faces!
Online classes + Art Party
I am very lucky that this work I do can be moved online. It will absolutely not be the same as sitting around a table, but it will be a balm in this time for me, and maybe you. Here are the updates in chronological order.
Art Party: happening online this Saturday at 7:30pm
The Art Party is moving online. This is both weird and exciting, but I think it's going to be a very hopeful event amid a hard time. For those of you have not attended an Art Party, here's what it is: 12 presenters get 5 minutes each to present their work (in any genre). It's a way to be inspired by the work of others, be seen as an artist, and remind us of the power of creating. Very good news for all of you who haven't come: we are doing this through Zoom, so if you've ever been curious, the barrier to entry has never been lower--you click a link to join, and if you feel it's not for you, you can depart. I encourage all of you to consider this. Full details are here, and you MUST register through EventBrite to get the link (we are not circulating publicly). I am not reading, but will be giving opening remarks.
Short Fiction Seminar, 5 Thursdays starting April 2, 5:00-6:30pm
I will be offering a 5 week online short fiction seminar starting Thursday April 2 and running through Thursday April 30. Meetings will be from 5pm-6:30pm, via Zoom (you just click a link for access). This class will center around reading short stories & discussing craft elements. I expect we will do some writing exercises as well. There will be no workshopping. Here is the link to sign up. Please email me with any questions!
Continuing Memoir is now "Writing through Crisis: Using Memoir to Navigate Challenging Times"
The ArtsCenter is closed indefinitely and has laid off all its staff. They are moving what courses they can online; the memoir course I had planned to offer will still go on, but in a different form, aiming to provide a space and some tools to process what is happening. Here's the description: As humans our instinct is to make meaning, especially in times of distress. In this class, we will use writing prompts, readings, and discussion to capture the experiences we are all currently living and understand how the writing process and various techniques can allow us to effectively express the complex emotions caused by crisis. No writing experience is required--only the desire to create some space within this compressed, worried time and express yourself creatively.
I do not have a registration link for this class yet, but here is the planned schedule, which is partly based on the ArtsCenter's request for shorter, more frequent meetings.
Tuesday March 31, 5:00-6:00pm
Saturday April 4, 10:30-11:30am
Tuesday April 7, 5:00-6:00pm
Saturday April 11, 10:30-11:30am
Tuesday April 14, 5:00-6:00pm
Saturday April 18, 10:30-11:30am
I will send out the registration link as soon as I have it--which means there will be a 3rd newsletter in March! Better, I suppose, than an email from a corporation saying they are here for in you in these rough times...
One day Retreat (April 19)
This is still too far off to know much about. At this point, I think it still will not be safe to have an in person meeting of 8 or 10 people, but I have (it feels like) light years to figure this out. I'll let you know when I do, and continue to welcome feedback on the topic.