Alverno Writer's Workshop

I think it was pretty successful. We had a nice discussion on various ways to journal, listened to each others' goal and to what each other wanted to share about their writing. A lot of them are really excellent writers. I really enjoyed their stories. Even with free writing a lot of them come up with a good story. It's a nice supportive group. A couple of the people want to start a writing group.

Some writing prompts for free writing

• Pretend you're a 95 year old in perfect health writing a letter to give advice to your current self.
• Pretend you are your child self dreaming about what you would be when you grow up, what letter would you write to your current self
• Favorite place and sort of person I was
• 5 of happiest memories and a snapshot of each
• Most unforgettable person I ever met.
• Someday I'm going to.....
•  Turning points in your life
• Turning points; imagine if you had taken a different path

Our assignments are to

• Prepare to comment on our reading
• Write dailyish 3 things thankful for, 1 joy/magic thing to do, free journal
• work on our personal writing goals

My current writing goals (subject to change as circumstances change)

• Write a nonfiction book, "Don't Cry Over Spilt Paint, Painting & Sketching on Location for the Absolute Beginner."
• Continue journalling
• Keep attending this workshop or when this ends join a monthly writer group?
• Complete Ed2go writing course "Writing and Publishing Your Nonfiction Book."

Some books mentioned in the class that may be fun to read

• a book about Code Talkers in WWII & "A Match Made in Hell" by Larry Stillman
• Joy of Appreciative Living by Jaqueline Kelm
• Finding your Element by Ken Robinson
• Bird by Bird by Ann Lamonte (Actually I've read this one already)