Snow Kidding ???

News of Our Writers

• It is always gratifying when our workshop participants are so inspired that they go on to pursue degree program in creative writing.  Last month two of our writers, Jody Foote and Christine Shaffer, received Master of Fine Arts degrees from Fairfield University's Creative Writing program. Congratulations to both!
• Westport Writers' Workshop instructor Valerie Seiling Jacobs' essay will be  published in June, 2011 in the  collection entitled Twelve Breaths a Minute: End of Life  Essays edited by Creative Nonfiction editor Lee Gutkind, and , pubished by Southern Methodist University Press.

Are you writing?    

"As for discipline - it's important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you. You will make vows: 'I'm going to write for an hour every day,' and then you won't do it. You will think: 'I suck, I'm such a failure. I'm washed-up.' Continuing to write after that heartache of disappointment doesn't take only discipline, but also self-forgiveness."  

If you would like more encouragement - or a boost to to get your writing engine re-started -  we invite you to one or both of the following:

"Silence Your Inner Critic: Be Inspired and Write!"  

Registration is limited at both to make sure that there is time for focus on each writer's issues and writing goals.  

For more information call (203) 227-3250 or email us at info@westportwritersworkshop.com.  

THIS WEEK in Greenwich 

Thursday, February 10

10 am to 12:30 pm 

Silence Your Inner Critic: Be Inspired and Write!

with Jessica Bram

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

• "I've always wanted to be a writer but I don't have the discipline/ I'm not good enough/ I never seem to find the time."
• "You can't make any money as a writer, so why bother?"
• "I would write my story but what if my mother/husband/friends ever read it?"
• "Writing doesn't flow naturally for me. That must mean I'm not really a writer, right?"

Sound familiar?

Successful writers are plagued by all of these doubts, and more. But what makes them successful is persistence and the willingness to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) nevertheless.

In this inspiring, interactive workshop, successful writer, NPR commentator and popular writing teacher Jessica Bram will tackle these doubts and more head-on. In interactive discussions and supportive, inspiring writing exercises, Jessica will guide a small group of aspiring writers through the steps to enable them to silence their inner critics and unlock the floodgates of their creativity.

As Founder and President of the Westport Writers' Workshop, Jessica Bram's personal mission is to empower people to fulfill their deepest desires to write. She frequently addresses writers' groups and consults with writers to help them break through writer's block, silence their inner critics, and allow them to overcome all those doubts that prevent them from fulfilling their writing talent and potential.

"I attended your recent "Silence Your Inner Critic" workshop at the Fairfield Library. I wanted to let you know how valuable it was for me. Ever since then I've continued to write the first draft of a children's fantasy book using your guidelines. The empowerment you spoke of is happening for me. I thank you so much!"

~Robyn Boccardi, Fairfield, Conn.

"Jessica, thank you again for your inspirational talk, "Silence Your Inner Critic, Let the Inspiration Flow". I needed to hear the part about writing being hard work! I sat down as scheduled today for two hours to write, and it really helps to have a schedule, as you said. Again, many thanks for your encouragement."

~Maurya C. Keating, Fairfield, Conn.  

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to 12:30 pm

WHERE:  

The Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich

NEW LOW PRICE:

$55 or $45 for Westport Writers' Workshop or Greenwich Arts Council Members.

SPACE IS LIMITED, REGISTER HERE 

Open Mic Nights Rescheduled 

CALLING ALL WRITERS!  

Please sign up to share your work with us at our rescheduled Open Mic Nights. Read a selection of your work to an audience of your peers and other interested listeners.  Or just come to listen and be inspired.

Fiction/Nonfiction Open Mic Night:      

Thursday, March 10, 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Poetry Open Mic Night:

Thursday, March 24, 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Each reader will be allotted a maximum of 10 minutes.  Please sign-up in advance by calling (203) 227-3250 to receive a time slot. Priority will be given to those who registered for our January Open Mic nights that were canceled due to weather. But we must hear from you to re-reserve your spot.

Admission is $10, or free for Westport Writers' Workshop members or those currently registered in an 8-week or 6-week workshop. Or if you register and pay to read your work, bring your friends and supporters at no charge.

This will be a relaxed and social evening.  Coffee/tea, cookies and camaraderie are on the house.   

Thursday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Silence Your Inner Critic With Jessica Bram at the Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, $55 or $45 for GAC members. 

Due to the abundant snow, several workshops have only met only once.  It's not too late to join - we will pro-rate for missed sessions.

A few spaces remain in the following:  

• Writing About Your Life: Memoir and Personal Essay   (1 space each in Sec. 1, 2, and Saturday)

• Fiction Writing: The Fundamentals  (1 space)

Call (203) 227-3250 to inquire.

Winter vacation schedule:  

No workshops the week of  Feb. 21-25. 

This month, a contribution for WWW Founder/Director Jessica Bram:

"The indefatigable pursuit of an unattainable perfection, even though it consists in nothing more than in the pounding of an old piano, is what alone gives a meaning to our life on this unavailing star."

 American essayist and critic Logan Pearsall Smith (1865-1946)

Weather Cancellation Policy

For More Information