UC EXTENSION CLASS: "Exploring Your Creative Writing Potential" Starts June 5 (see below)
We now accept Paypal in payment for all workshops.
Workshops
The Syngenetic Workshop
Do you ever wonder how Sylvia Plath or Dylan Thomas did such remarkable writing? They were so close to their creativity they may simply have recorded the images rising through their minds. In these workshops we call that creative source the "Crazy Child" and we avoid the usual editorial judgments. We let that Child write! No matter if it is stories, poems, a play, songs or an ecstatic essay, the Child's word will likely contain our most vivid writing. Technically, this kind of writing is proprioceptive ~ dealing with the stories contained in our nervous systems; it is unpredictable and imparts texture, flair and power to language. For beginners, for intermediate writiers and for professionals who want to expand their horizons.
When we share our writing, the workshop will inform us - more quickly than we could discover on our own - exactly what that memorable writing is. The workshops are "syngenetic" - our feedback is designed to mirror to the author what the reader hears. "Syngenetic" means "with a similar origin"; the workshop's effort is to learn the primary impulse of your writing and help it come to fruition. Positive feedback deepens everyone's understanding of your words as we hear what others find memorable -- and thus gives a valid foundation from which to make comments. Our goal is to offer two or three suggestions for your next revision, or two or three techniques to keep in mind as you continue your writing. These workshops have evolved over the last fifteen years from Peter Elbow's "teacherless class."
Do you ever wonder how Sylvia Plath or Dylan Thomas did such remarkable writing? They were so close to their creativity they may simply have recorded the images rising through their minds. In these workshops we call that creative source the "Crazy Child" and we avoid the usual editorial judgments. We let that Child write!
More (The Syngenetic Workshop)
Ongoing
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10-week workshops
Bring copies of your work in progress - journal, story, poem, novel, play or essay. Read it aloud and take notes as the workshop quotes your own most powerful lines back to you. This not only supports your strengths, it immerses the workshop more deeply in your piece. As one person repeats an image, I hear it again, review my own reaction, and sink closer to your intent. The syngenetic (having the same origin) workshop furthers your work with feedback from the same place - as much as possible - as the primary impulse of your writing.
We'll next ask a question like, "How does this character help the piece?" "What is the piece about?" "What is the function of that image?" and address the structure of your piece. You will pick up one or two rewrite suggestions - which you are free to apply, ignore, or use in a later piece. The workshop will quickly tune into your strengths and weaknesses, and you will find that your writing skills improve dramatically.
Participants are encouraged to bring their writing, including prose, to Poetry Saloons (drunk on poetry!) on the second Friday of the month.
Also included in these sessions are one-day workshops,
10am to 5pm Saturdays:
February 3 in San Anselmo
March 3 in Oakland
April 21 in Novato
May 12 in InvernessA class party could be arranged by participants toward the end of the sessions.
Contact Clive to join one of these classes.
8-Week Open Workshops
(fee: $320)
Thursdays, 9am - noon, San Rafael
Wednesdays, 7 - 10pm, Temescal District, Oakland
Start May 29, end August 1, 2012
(no workshops June 20, July 4, July 18)
Start May 24, end August 2
(no workshops June 14, June 21 or July 19)
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10-week novel workshop
Intense workshopping for writers with novels in progress. A workshop in Temescal. Limited to four writers. Meets every other Monday, 5 times over 10 weeks.
Contact Clive to join this class.
TEMESCAL NOVEL WORKSHOP
Winter/Spring 2012
472 44th Street, Oakland 94609, 510-654-6495, clive@matsonpoet.comMarch 26
April 9
April 23
May 7
May 21The Novel's Arc
In this workshop we'll address the main issue that eludes us in our weekly classes: How well does your novel work as a whole?
We'll read one of our novels in two weeks, meet for two hours and track how the essential components are developed throughout the novel. Then we'll re-read crucial parts, meet again in two weeks, and give a comprehensive review both of how well the novel is working and what it needs to arrive at a higher level. The next month we'll do the same with another novel.
Some of the questions we'll ask: Does your theme grab the reader's attention from the start? Is the voice consistent, and do the visuals create a powerful movie? Does the plot keep the reader turning the pages? Do your characters develop in a compelling manner? Does dialogue move the plot forward and deepen your characters, while it's both engaging and seems real? Does the pacing work in concert with the plot? Is the resolution deeply satisfying?
We begin as soon as four writers sign up and we're able to hammer out a schedule. Fee: $400.
Prerequisites:
1) You have at least draft number one of a novel complete, with line editing already done.
2) You can print out five copies of your novel.
3) You subscribe to the notion that reading and discussing three peers' novels will aid your understanding of your own novel.
4) You commit to reading a novel in two weeks, once a month.
Let me know if you're interested, phone is best, and we'll start by talking about your novel.
510-654-6495
510-508-5149 cell
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The Crazy Child One-Day Workshops
We are close to our creative source when the child within speaks its mind and ignores any critical or editorial voices. In the morning we will let that "Crazy Child" write. And when the exercise is shared, the workshop as a whole will likely point to several sentences and say, "Those images are striking!" or "That scene is full of power!" These are clues for the afternoon's exercise, or we may follow our inner sense of the story and let the Child write freely again. Technically, this is proprioceptive writing - dealing with the stories and images contained in our nervous systems - and it gives texture and flair to all kinds of writing.
We are usually surprised by how much writing we do in these workshops, and by its competence. Three participants, for example, submitted their stories to a recent anthology; all three were accepted, one won third prize and another won first prize.
For beginners, for developing writers and for professionals who want to expand their horizons.
Saturdays, 10am - 5pm, once a month
August 4 in San Anselmo
June 2 in Larkspur
July 7 in OaklandSign up with the Crazy Child Meetup Group! First-timers are eligible for a 50% discount when registering through this group.
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Short Story Workshops
Cost: $150.00
We'll examine elements of the short story and see how they are employed in examples of very short stories. These three to four page stories cover six minutes to six months of time. The various strategies used are fascinating. We'll do a draft of at least one story on the first day of this two day workshop (two consecutive Saturdays). On the following Saturday, we'll see how well the story elements are working in your draft. After these two days, you should take off with your short story writing skills.
We are careful to establish a warm and inviting atmosphere where even the rawest and shyest of writers can flourish and feel proud of what they accomplish. I expect, as usual, eight or ten people (including some of brave beginners), much exciting writing, and fun to boot.
Contact Clive if you want to join or set one up.
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One-Act Plays
Cost: $150.00
We'll examine elements and structure of writing a one-act play and see how they are employed in examples. The various strategies used are fascinating. We'll do a draft of at least one play on the first day of this two day workshop (two consecutive Saturdays). On the following Saturday, we'll see how well the elements of the play are working in your draft as we all take part in reading it. After these two days, you should take off with your play writing skills.
We are careful to establish a warm and inviting atmosphere where even the rawest and shyest of writers can flourish and feel proud of what they accomplish. I expect, as usual, eight or ten people (including some of brave beginners), much exciting writing, and fun to boot.
Contact Clive to join this class.
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Class: Exploring Your Creative Writing Potential
This ten-week course through the UC Berkeley Extension for beginning writers helps you assess your potential, identify your strengths, and learn valuable writing techniques. Class exercises and weekly writing assignments help you discover your talents in a variety of forms: short fictional scenes, short story, poetry, and journalistic writing. A supportive atmosphere enables you to see how others respond to your writing. On completion, you should have a clearer sense of your writing strengths and directions to take for more advanced courses.
Tuesdays 6:30 to 9:30pm
Starts June 5, 2012; ends August 28
(no class June 19, July 3, August 14)
$525
UC Berkeley Extension EDP #054171
Required textbook for the class: Let the Crazy Child Write!
Contact Clive if you have questions about this class.
U.C. Extension
Class:
Exploring
Your Creative
Writing Potential
Annual
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Wilbur Hot Springs: Writing & Spiritual Awakening
This much-loved workshop of many years needs a coordinator. If you'd like to organize a workshop there, contact me. I'll give you a list of candidates to attend, along with phone numbers and email addresses. Thanks! Clive
PAST WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
November 5, 6, 7, 2010
Suggested Donation: $150.00
Join us in Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary for a three-day retreat of nature, writing, hot tubs, and sauna.
Each retreat typically has a topic:
- Writing and Powerful Experience
- Writing and Personal Transformation
- Let the Crazy Child Write!
- Writing and Spiritual Experience
Each writing retreat will have an introductory workshop the first evening at 8 pm, a main workshop the next day beginning at 11 am, a participants' reading at 8 pm that evening and a closing session the last day at 11 am.
Call 530.473.2306 to register.
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Feather River Adult Art Camp
June 17-24, 2012
Quincy, Plumas Co., CA
Cost: $869
If you have the urge to write, bring a blank notebook and come join us for an exciting, productive week. We'll meet every morning for three hours, share our writing from the day before, have writing walks and meditations in the afternoons. And you may want to enjoy other workshops - pottery, paper making, landscape painting, gourd making, Chinese watercoloring - or go hiking, horseback riding, swimming, or play table tennis. We'll wrap up with a reading for the whole camp on the final night.
For more information visit, http://www.featherriverartcamp.com
or Contact: Karen LeGault, 510-601-1619
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Writing Costa Rica
February 3 - 13, 2013
Nosara, Costa Rica
Fee: $1600To register and for information on the workshop, contact Clive Matson:
510-654-6495, 510-508-5149
clive@matsonpoet.comFor information on accommodations, contact Deborah Tommassini:
debratom@aol.com
415-312-7065, 011-506-2682-0209
www.nosarabandbretreat.comPayment accepted through Paypal. Please click on the button below and pay to Clive Matson's account (associated email address:clive@matsonpoet.com).
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Harbin Hot Springs: "Let the Crazy Child Write!"
May 18 - 20
Friday, 6 - 8pm
Saturday, 10am - 5pm and a reading, 6:30 - 8pm
Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Middletown, CA
Fee: $300 (residents $200) includes dormitory lodging on Fri. and Sat. nights and five catered meals on Sat. and Sun. ($50 workshop discount available -- see * below.)
We are close to our creative source when the child within speaks its mind and ignores any critical or editorial voices. In the workshop, we will let that "Crazy Child" write. For beginners, for developing writers, and for professionals who want to expand their horizons. Friday night will be for getting acquainted and starting to write. On Saturday and Sunday there will be time for more writing, reading, compassionate criticism, and summary.
This event is supported by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from The James Irvine Foundation.
For more information or to register,
contact Elaine Watt at 707-987-2339x72 or accounting@harbin.org.
This workshop will also be offered
on the following date:
October 19 - 21
*Register by the first of May or October and get $50 off. -
Clearlake Two-Day Retreats
Cost: $55.00
We'll learn about the structure of fiction and, indeed, of most writing by looking at a selection of very short stories. Introduction on Saturday afternoon, spontaneous writing and supportive feedback sessions in the the familiar synergetic style continue all day Sunday with a break for potluck lunch. We join an active Lake County writer's community for this event. Locals are in the relaxing and lovely area around Clearlake, and low cost lodging is available. These events are supported by Poets and Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the James Irvine Foundation.
Call 707.263.6658 to register.
Saturday, April 21, 2012, 4 to 6 pm,
Sunday, April 22, 10 am to 5 pm
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Writing Highway 395
August 7-14, June Lake, California
Cost: $850 before July 1, $950 after July 1
A glorious eight-day camping adventure dedicated to the creative process as nurtured by the mountain air. Intensive focus on your writing, exploring the eastern side of the California Sierra, creating a small and dedicated community with other writers - there's room for it all in this workshop!
At June Lake, with the snow-clad Sierra as a backdrop among the pines and boulders strewn along the ridges, intrepid writers will create a positive, supportive, dynamic community in the wilderness. As the instructor, Clive will draw on many years’ experience helping writers merge words with the power of their creative unconscious. Writers will sprawl across our campsite with notebooks and laptops and go deep into favorite projects, or ease into discovery of something new, encouraged by the birdsong and sway of the pines.
Information and registration: Writing Highway 395 website
