Interpretive Writing Intensive
The Workshop for Interpreters Who Write

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In This Issue
Purpose: Motivation or Inspiration?
Interp Writing Intensive Coming to Penn Center
Inspired people arouse the hearts of others, and so inspire the world.

 --Nick Williams

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Interpretive Writing Intensive
REGISTER NOW
Extra Early Bird! Register by January 25, 2010 and save $250
April 19-24, 2010, Penn Center
St. Helena Island
South Carolina
Know someone who could use the information in this newsletter? Click "Forward email" at the bottom of the newsletter, or contact me and I'll add their name to the list.

Want to Host a Writing Workshop?
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We offer one, two, and four-day interpretive writing workshops. If you're interested in an on-site workshop, click the logo or contact Judy by email or phone, 888/886-9289.
Purpose: Motivation or Inspiration?

A new year--a new decade--and I had every intention of writing an article about goals and objectives. You know the kind I mean: New Year's resolutions as applied to interpretation. A list of conditions and requirements that ensure goals and objectives are effective, with ways to prove that our work is furthering the purpose of our site, agency, or institution.

But I find myself mulling over purpose in a broader sense, about the greater purpose behind what we do. Instead of explaining how to create measurable objectives, I wonder why most New Year's resolutions fail. Why do so many goals go unmet--or worse, backfire--despite best intentions and plenty of measurable objectives?

This time of year, headlines from magazines to blog posts promise that we can lose weight, save money, and quit smoking if only we set our goals (following the ever-present Ten Simple Steps) and stay motivated.

Ah, motivated.

One of the most frequent questions I hear is, "How can I motivate my visitors?" That's a little like asking, "How can I Squirrel seeking treasuremake my visitors change their evil ways?" It's a bit like demanding that someone change because I said so, and if they don't, they're bad or stupid or just don't get it.

The problem isn't with wanting people to change or behave in a particular way. New members for friends groups, becoming better stewards of the environment, enhanced understanding of and tolerance for different cultures--these and more are worthy goals.

The problem is that too often, we think our job as interpreters is to motivate people to make these changes. It isn't.

Our job is to inspire them.

Motivate comes from the Latin word movere, which means to move, stir, or agitate. Its contemporary meaning, to stimulate to action, carries a sense of pushing, of "making them do it." Motivation is more fear-based (if you, my reader/visitor, don't change, the world will die) and often feels judgmental or punitive (it's all your fault if the world dies). Motivation has more to do with what I, the writer/interpreter, want my readers to do than with what my readers or visitors want or need.

100111 Bryce Canyon lone treeSpirare--to breathe, to live--is the Latin root for both inspire and spirit. Inspirare is to inspire, excite, or inflame. Inspire carries a sense of influencing or animating with an idea or purpose. In many religious traditions, to be inspired is to be filled with the spirit of God or gods; inspired action arises from that which is holy or sacred within us.

Inspiration is infused with the spirit of possibility and comes from a place of openness, joy, and generosity--a place of love. Inspiration is an invitation, not a demand. It is sharing knowledge and discovery, not force-feeding Important Facts. It embraces readers and visitors where they are, with their existing beliefs and abilities. It allows for collaboration and creativity. It accepts the knowledge and insight readers bring and, like a deep breath, expands meaning, solutions, and good works beyond what the humble work of one interpreter can do alone.

Does this mean we don't need goals? That we can stop worrying about measurable objectives?

Nope. We--and our visitors--need goals to aspire to (another word that comes from spirare), with programs that inspire us to make the attempt to reach for those goals. We need to know that the work we do--the work we are inspired to do--is inspiring our readers and visitors in ways that support the mission and purpose of our sites, agencies, and institutions.

I promise next time I'll talk about the mechanics of crafting effective goals and objectives, but for today, forget about motivation.

 Take a deep breath. Be inspired. And inspire.


Have a comment or question? email me
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Interpretive Writing Intensive
coming to historic
Penn Center in April

The Interpretive Writing Intensive is coming to Penn Center, St. Helena Island, South Carolina, April 19-24, 2010.

Join us for an
ALL INCLUSIVE, 4-day/5-night workshop with optional 6th night at historic Penn Center, St. Helena Island, South Carolina.
Fort Collins cattails
This highly interactive workshop is designed for interpreters who write. If you struggle with writing--if you wish your writing were more powerful, persuasive, and effective--if your creativity and efficiency could use a boost--if you want your writing to make a difference--then this is the workshop for you!

Arrive Monday between 3:00 and 6:00 on April 19, 2010
Depart Saturday morning, April 24, 2010
Optional: Stay an extra day to explore, including the Port Royal soft shell crab festival; depart on Sunday, April 25, 2010

All-inclusive pricing:
Registration: $1690.00
Optional--Extend your stay a day!
Saturday night lodging: $75.00

Register early and save up to $250.00!

All Inclusive Price includes
the workshop, lodging (5 nights) at Penn Center's Arnett House, and snacks and meals from Monday evening through Friday night. Lodging is shared room, maximum 2 people per room; single premium available, please call 888/886-9289 for pricing.

Optional Saturday night fee ($75.00) includes
lodging at Penn Center's Arnett House, April 24, 2010. Please note: this fee is for lodging only and does not include meals or transportation.

Save up to $250.00 per person!
Extra Early Bird Registration:
Register by midnight, January 25, 2010 and save $250!
Early Bird Registration:
Register by midnight, February 28, 2010 and save $200!
Group registration:
Register three or more people at the same time and save $50 per person off of Regular and Early Bird prices.


Register online or call Judy at 888/886-9289.

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The Interpretive Writing Intensive covers applying interpretive principles to writing--
and much more!

Interp in Jerome AZ
Freeman Tilden said interpretive writing should be "concise, focused, inspirational, and engaging." Lofty goals for any writer!

But not to worry--during the Interpretive Writing Intensive, we'll guide you through the challenges.  You'll learn:
  • What makes interpretive writing interpretive;
  • How to create writing that connects with the reader;
  • Techniques for strengthening language, including pacing, language use, and word choice;
  • Strategies for organizing;
  • How to write for any length or space;
  • How to write for different media, different audiences, and different uses;
  • How to write for maximum impact;
  • How to write even if you think you can't;
  • How to take your writing "off-site";
  • Humble punctuation;
  • Accessing--and improving--creativity (or, the Muse will visit if chocolate is involved);
  • Dealing with writer's block (or, how to get the Muse to visit if you're out of chocolate);
  • and MORE.
To ensure a quality experience with plenty of individual attention, workshop size is limited to 15 people. Registration is first-come, first-served.

Register today to take advantage of the Extra Early Bird discount--$250.00 off the regular registration!
 
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Your Registration Includes:

  • 4-day workshop, all workshop materials and handouts, one thirty-minute individual consulting session, instructor review of one previously submitted writing sample;
  • Lodging* at Penn Center's Arnett House from Monday evening through Saturday morning, April 19-24, 2010, Chowan Creek, Penn Centerwith an optional 6th night for additional $75.00 fee;
  • Meals and snacks from Monday evening through Friday evening, April 19-23, 2010.

All-inclusive pricing:
Registration: $1690.00
Optional--Extend your stay a day! Saturday night lodging: $75.00

Register early and save!
Extra Early Bird: Register by midnight, January 25, 2010 and save $250.00 (registration is $1440.00).

Early Bird: Register between January 26 and midnight February 28, 2010 and save $200.00 (registration is $1490.00).

Group Discount: Register three or more people at the same time and save $50 per person off Early Bird and Regular Registration (registration is $1440.00 or $1640.00, depending on when you register).


For more details, including cancellation policy and payment options, please visit our web site.

*Lodging is shared room, maximum 2 people per room; single premium available, please inquire for pricing.
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Please don't hesitate to contact me by phone (888/886-9289 or 970/416-6353) or email  or through our web site if you have questions or need more information.

I hope to see you in April at Penn Center!
 
Sincerely,
 

Judy Fort Brenneman
Greenfire Creative, LLC

P.S. Can't make it but know someone who might be interested? I'd be grateful if you'd forward the information. Thanks!
Penn Center photographs (Arnett House, Chowan Creek) courtesy of Penn Center, Inc. All other photographs copyright Judy Fort Brenneman.
Contents copyright � Judy Fort Brenneman. Request reprint permission through Greenfire Creative, LLC.