Reaching Your Creative Centre - Workshop

Creative Writing Workshop, August 2014:  "Reaching Your Creative Centre"

Warnborough College  2^nd Annual Fine Arts and Art History Conference (WCCA)

Canterbury, UK

Michelle MillerAllen, Facilitator

Rationale

This workshop is based on two premises:  (a) Most writers have periods of struggle and frustration with “writer’s block”.  For some, this can be in the form of a reluctance to write what and how they really want, due to inner “censors” which compromise their creative passion.  Some struggle with this for a moment, some for years.  (b) On the other hand, one’s writing has more universal veracity, the more one reaches courageously, compassionately and deeply into the human experience.

My workshop aims to bring those two premises together, sharing some “serious play” - creativity enhancement techniques which I have found useful in my own writing.  These can work for writers of any genre and skill level, to help them access their passionate, creative centre. 

Time, character, place, culture/environment: 

Tying into the WCCA Conference theme, we will also explore how drawing upon the writer’s unique life experience can be the ironic key to the universality of the work – that is, how the deeply personal can reach beyond the four elements of time, character, place and culture/environment to evoke essential human recognition – even compassion - in the reader. 

Methodology and Content

The workshop will be comprised of a three-part series of interlinked “wake up” activities:  (1) a brief guided meditation to tap into one’s creative centre; (2) re-wiring & re-routing methods for one’s creative circuits; and (3) a writing exercise. 

Conclusion

Although our writing exercise will result in a short written piece to take home, the session is more about “practice” than “product”. (Unlike artists, dancers and musicians, writers tend not to engage in “warm up” exercises; here they will!) The hope is that the participants will take home new personal tools and awareness to help stimulate their ongoing writing processes.

For more information, contact Jill Kiefer, Conference Director at jill@whataboutart.org.

Image:  The Letter Writer Surprised, Gabriel Metsu c. 1662