Writing Your Life as a Woman with Dean Lofton

Two summer sessions:
Tuesdays, June 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2011
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2011
Writing Your Life as a Woman offers non-academic, creative writing class.

Austin – Local writer (Ms.) Dean Lofton offers the popular community writing workshops “Writing Your Life as a Woman” on Tuesdays, June 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Opal Divine’s, 3601 S. Congress, at Penn Field. A second session is offered on Tuesdays, July 5 – 26, 7-9pm.The summer class is a casual setting in Opal Divine’s game room, and offers women the opportunity to try the class at a discounted rate. Class fee for all four sessions is $70 and drop-in fee is $20, if space is available. To register email dean@deanlofton.com.

“Women are busy. It’s a fun night of multi-tasking on the self-care front: dinner, good gal pal company, writing and creative inspiration. I offered the class there last year and had requests to bring it back,” Lofton says. “The class is a much-needed, grounding retreat

Where we take a break from the digital world to write by hand, and then share our writing. Laptops and Ipads are banned and cell phones are required to be turned off.”

The non-academic, creative writing workshop leads women through in-class writing exercises they then read out loud. The gentle motivation and inspiration guides women to see the value in their life’s journey and develop skills to assist in writing projects beyond the class. Writers of all levels of experience benefit from the workshop, as well as non-writers, and no writing experience is required.

Lofton has led community writing workshops in the southeast and Texas since 1997 – including Elder Hostel’s “Collecting Your Memories” and the bookstore favorite “Closet Fiction Writers Workshop.” Students range in age from 18 to 84. Her credits include columns, articles and short stories in publications such as the women’s magazine skirt!, the weekly alternative Free Times, the daily newspaper The Charleston Post and Courier, the magazine Point and many others.

The popular class attracts a diverse group of women from songwriters, to business professionals, to retirees and many others. Student’s descriptions of the class include:

“motivating,” “helped me to build confidence in my writing and a better sense of self-esteem,” “… gave me confidence and faith in myself, in others and in the world in general. It was a true blessing,” and “… tapped into parts of me that were long dormant. Opened doors of creativity and intuitiveness I didn’t know I had.” An often-repeated description is “better than therapy, and certainly a lot less expensive.”

Where
Opal Divine’s
3601 S. Congress
Austin, Texas 78704

When
Tuesdays, June 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2011
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2011
7pm – 9pm

Cost
$70 per 4 week session
$20 drop in fee if space is available

To register email dean@deanlofton.com
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Students’ comments on classes with Dean Lofton.

“I loved Dean Lofton’s writing workshop “Writing Your Life As A Woman.” It became a weekly ritual that I looked forward to … I loved this format of class – no critiquing, no judging – just writing and sharing. I would take it again!” – Suzanna Choffel, singer/songwriter

“Dean’s class helped me get more in touch with my writing, my life direction and a lot of kick ass females. I recommend this class to anyone looking for a little pick me up in the soul department.” – Laura, 28, engineer/writer/blogger

“Taking this workshop has been an amazing thing for me. I am learning how to allow all of my thoughts and words to reach the paper without judging them…in fact, I am learning how to appreciate and celebrate what I already have inside! This class has been such an amazing experience and I am looking forward to seeing how this affects my songwriting as well.” – Vanessa Lively, singer/songwriter, artist

“. . . when I saw the ad for Dean’s class, it was a no brainer. Her passion for the craft of writing comes through so strongly in everything she does and I needed some of that to rub off on me. So motivating!” – Laura, 48, musician, songwriter

“Dean’s workshop is the best part of my week. I’ve taken her class twice now and it really sets me up for writing for the November “National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)” I have seen Dean’s instruction as a great training program to warm me up. I *heart* Dean’s class!” – Shelby, 28, graduate student

“I have really enjoyed ‘write & share’ flow – sharing before editing was scary, but it turned out to be very valuable. It confirmed for me how we touch each other through writing when it comes straight from the heart.” – Carmen, 37, writer

_______________________________________________

CONTRACT FOR WRITING YOUR LIFE AS A WOMAN©

with Dean Lofton http://www.deanlofton.com/

I, _____________________________________________, on this ______ day of _____________, 20__, do bravely enter into this agreement with myself to treat myself to the soul-filling creative undertaking of a writing workshop.

1. I agree to try wholeheartedly to arrive on time. If I arrive late I’ll dive right in to the download writing exercise with no “I’m sorry’s” or guilt.

2. I agree to keep my pen moving during all timed exercises, even if I completely run out of things to say because if I stop writing I might start judging and editing.

a. I will feel free to write absolute drivel, or “I have nothing to say.” Over and over.

b. I will write whatever I am thinking even if it’s “I don’t know what to write…”or I don’t want to be here…”

c. If feeling stuck, I will boldly attempt to jump start my writing by beginning sentences with: “I remember… I don’t remember… I want to write about… I don’t want to write about…”

3. Without hesitation I will write my first thoughts even if they’re not neat and tidy. These ideas are uncensored, sincere and usually things I really need to write out of my head and onto paper.

4. At no point will I bother my pretty little head with such trivial matters as grammar, punctuation or spelling. I shall dispense with such ridiculous worries as grades, red pens, permanent records and concerned phone calls to my parents.

5. Should I ever decide to, I’ll “pass” on reading out loud without scorn from my classmates or shame from myself.

6. I absolutely, positively, swear I will not apologize before reading my writing out loud.

a. This includes masked apologies such as “It’s really not very good,” or “I’m not a good writer, but I’ll read anyway.”

b. I will honor the class motto of “Never say you’re sorry before you read.”

7. Upon receiving a compliment I will graciously accept it without one iota of deferral, and I will take at least one entire moment to bask in the pleasure of receiving praise.

8. No matter what topic is suggested I will always be true to my heart and mind and follow my pen where it leads me.

9. I will help create and honor this class as a “safe psychic space” which means it is free of emotional and mental abuse.

10. Simply by being present I commit to honoring others’ privacy. What happens in class stays in class.

11. My mind will remain open to experiences and beliefs different than mine.

12. In all ways I will be kind, encouraging and supportive to others and to myself.

By signing below, I agree to the above, so I, and those gathered with me, might find great joy in writing, creating, exploring and playing.

_______________________________________ ___________________________

Name Date