What other participants say
Thank you for nurturing my creative self.
What I appreciate most is that I feel I belong
and my talents are valued here.
I have been touched deeply by the words and
hearts shared so courageously.
How much better I feel every time I come to
class.
The age difference in the group feels like a
real blessing.
I love hearing personal life stories shared in
the safety of this space together.
The small group always leaves me with a sense of
possibility.
It's always good to reconnect with my writing
self.
I feel like part of a wonderful web.
I feel a little guilty for receiving so much
from this group.
Each week I feel fuller and fuller and look
forward to the day I can give back! |
Some of our fall classes:
Mastery Class
Aug 31 - Dec 7
Discovering your Act III with Julie Shifman
Sept 23
Women only
Core classes
Sept 27-Dec 8
A Taste of Writing in Community
Sept 8-22
Words and Watercolors
Sept 16 - Nov 11
Taming the Hurried Life - Yoga and Writing
Sept 14-Oct 12
REadUNION
Sept 18
True Body Project
Sept 26 - Oct 24
Girls' Fall Semester
Oct 17 - Nov 21
Click here to register
Questions?
Call us! 513-272-1171
or
EMAIL Bron
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Fall Programming
It's hard to believe, but our first fall program begins next week. We have introduced a new menu of offerings to meet a variety of needs. From exciting new topics to sessions that last anywhere from one day to ten weeks, you are sure to find a class that meets your needs. The entire schedule can be found HERE, but here are a few examples.
 Three Wednesdays in September: A Taste of WWFC
Are you curious about WWFC writing
classes but experiencing barriers to signing up? Maybe you don't have
time to commit to a whole semester. Or like many of us, maybe your
budget only has room for short-term pleasures. We hear you! WWFC has
created a special course to fit your needs - A TASTE OF WWFC - three
consecutive Wednesday evenings in September (Sept. 8, 15, 22) from 7 -
9:30 PM.
Words and Watercolors
Want to enhance your self expression? Using more than one media will increase your access to creativity. Of
course you will have two different ways to explore your inner world.
You will also most likely find that playing with colors will improve
your writing. No experience in writing or visual art is needed. We will use new
prompts each week to bring out new words and new colors that reflect
you. We will meet every other Thursday evening to allow you sufficient
time to create on your own in between classes.
Miss Us?
The feeling is mutual! All
former members of our community are welcome to join us Saturday,
September 18 from 10 - 12:30. Bring some writing to share, update us on
your life and reconnect with your writing sisters. We'll have a potluck too, so bring a favorite dish to share.
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Starfire Students Spend
Tuesday Mornings at WWFC
A
very special group of writers has been gathering at Women Writing for a Change
over the summer. On Tuesday mornings, a
group of sophomores at Starfire U, an organization for developmentally disabled
adults - have been meeting with WWFC teacher-facilitator, Mary Ann Jansen. "We encourage these young adults to use
writing to express themselves and to reflect on their lives," says Mary Ann. "Through deep listening, and giving and
receiving support and encouragement, they have begun to see themselves as
writers."
 
The
one-hour sessions begin like most WWFC circles, with a lit candle to set
intentions, a poem to spark creativity, and time for each person to check-in
with the community. Participants share
what's on their minds, and what they envision for the class. Then, Mary Ann invites participants to write,
offering writing prompts which elicit a life story, a memory, or perhaps a
"secret" each person might like to write about. Quiet writing time is followed by sharing aloud. While writing can be a physical challenge for
may of the participants, they often express surprise and delight at what came
out on the page during their writing.
 
Overcoming
shyness or gaining self-confidence in the hearing of their own voices are among
the successes and milestones. "This kind
of inner work and group participation has long-term effects," adds Kathy Wade,
Executive Director of WWFC. "We are
grateful to our partner, Starfire U, for bringing these new writers to our
community." Funding for the project was
supported by the Fine Arts Fund and the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile
Foundation. To learn more about WWFC
visit www.womenwriting.org; about
Starfire U - www.starfireu.org.
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Prompt
The Faces of Children
~Elizabeth Spires
Meeting old friends after a long time, we see
with surprise how they have changed, and must imagine,
despite the mirror's lies, that change is upon us, too.
Once, in our twenties, we thought we would never die.
Now, as one thoughtlessly shuffles a deck of cards,
we have run through half our lives.
The afternoon has vanished, the evening changing
us into four shadows mildly talking on a porch.
And as we talk, we listen to the children play
the games that we played once. In joy and terror,
they cry out in surprise as the seeker finds the one in hiding,
or, in fairytale tableau, each one is tapped and turned
to stone. The lawn is full of breathing statues who wait
to be changed back again, and we can do nothing but stand
to one side of our children's games, our children's lives.
We are the conjurors who take away all pain,
and we are the ones who cannot take away the pain at all.
They do not ask, as lately we have asked ourselves
Who was I then? And what must I become?
Like newly minted coins, their faces catch what light
there is. They are so sure of us, more sure
than we are of ourselves. Our children: who gently
push us toward the end of our own lives. The future
beckons brightly. They trust us to lead them there.
Try writing a letter or two. You can send them, file them away or burn them when you are finished. Here are some ideas.
1.
Write to friends you have not seen in a long time. What is keeping you
apart? Explain why you would like to see them again. Or why you
wouldn't.
2. Write a letter to the children you have, you had,
you will have or you imagine. What are three things you want them to
know as you lead them to the future?
3. What do you miss about being a child? Write a letter to yourself - in grief or celebration.
4. Answer Spires' question - what must I become? Write a letter of instruction.
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