Regularly Offered Courses
I teach the following classes through the Center for Creative Writing year-round:
Writing through Trauma to Truth, Parts 1&2
Writing about trauma is often an attempt to make sense and meaning; to unravel what can’t easily be felt or said; to stitch torn cloth together again with well-crafted words that make, from struggle, something good and beautiful and true – for yourself and for future readers. Read the full course description.
Writing the Wave, Parts 1-4
Writing the Wave is an organic approach to writing that will jump-start your creative process and free the writer inside you—even if you’re just starting or have been struggling for years. Working with both your creative and analytical mind through a series of imagination-boosting techniques, the course has helped thousands of aspiring writers get to the page and thrive there. Read the full course description.
Writing Your Web Presence
You know the hows and whys of starting a blog. Now you need to generate some quality content. On a blog, you can write about anything you want as long as you have a strong “voice.” You can blog on one topic or many, but a strong voice allows you to wander with your creativity while staying in “niche.” Read the full course description.
Independent Study Options
I periodically accept independent students for Generative Writing and Private Writing Guidance.
Generative Writing
Generative writing sessions are designed to get you writing. Enjoy the benefits of weekly deadlines and regular, in-depth feedback from your teacher as you develop new or existing projects. These sessions follow the same format, pricing (includes a free consultation), and schedule as our regular six-week courses, but without formal assignments. Read the full description.
Private Writing Guidance
Whether you want to polish or publish your writing, the Center offers expert, one-on-one guidance for the next stage of the process such as first reader, copy editor, manuscript midwife or content editor. Read the full description.
All courses run for six weeks and utilize the Wet Ink platform. Please consult the 2024 session dates below:
- Oct. 29-Dec. 12, 2024 in session
- Jan. 7-Feb. 20, 2025 now enrolling
- Feb. 25-April 10
- April 15-May 29
- June 3-July 17
- July 22-Sept. 4
- Sept. 9-Oct. 23
- Oct. 28-Dec. 11
Sliding Scale Options
I recognize that not everyone is able to access the classes I teach through various institutions. For that reason, in addition to these regularly scheduled courses, I take 2-3 private students per month for courses priced on a sliding scale of $125-300. These sessions typically last 6 weeks and are scheduled with me via email. Generally, I reserve these spaces for queer, BIPOC or differently-abled individuals, and includes anyone on a fixed income. Course goals are curated to client need. Coursework is assigned and completed through email exchange. However, video conferencing is an option.
I also offer sliding-scale book-length manuscript reviews at a rate of $250-$350 including a one-hour Zoom or in-person meeting as well as in-line notes and written feedback.
Payment can be made through Paypal, Venmo, CashApp or Zelle. Email me using the form on my Contact Page to set up one of these sessions.
If these rates cannot work for you, please reach out. I am open to trade, payment plans, and sometimes have patrons who are willing to provide scholarships for those who need additional aid. No questions asked.
Retreats, Workshops & Classes
I generally teach single-session workshops or weekend retreats on a quarterly schedule.
Remembering Those We Miss
Writing letters can be a heartfelt way to express our love and celebrate the relationships we’ve shared. Letters can help us preserve important memories and stories, confront unfinished business, and expose ourselves to things we may be avoiding. This is especially true when we are writing to those who are gone from our lives, whether they have passed on or passed on us.
In this workshop, we will come together to examine our grief through the epistolary form. In a safe and supportive space, we will write letters to those we have lost as an act of self-care. Writers will be welcome to share work with the instructor for private feedback after the course.
- Trinity Ave Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC
- in person, Saturday, December 14, 1-4 pm
- $100, $125. Scholarships available.
- Min 3, Max 12 participants
- Registration TBA. Contact info@rcwms.org for more information.
Surviving Your Story
Difficult experiences can become lodged in our bodies in ways that impact us daily, and writing is a way to name, release and even recover from those experiences. Expressive writing allows us to make sense and meaning; to recraft the struggle and better reflect our truth. In other words, it supports you in surviving your story.
This course is structured in two parts. In the first, we come together as a group for a two-hour Zoom session to discuss the what and how of safe expressive writing practices followed by exercises and a take-home writing assignment. For the second part, you will connect directly with your instructor, if you choose, to share your writing and schedule a one-on-one, confidential response and conversation about your writing goals.
- Zoom, Feb Date TBD
- $75, $100. Scholarships available.
- Min 3, Max 12 participants
- Register here. Contact info@rcwms.org for more information.
Beginning Your Memoir
Coming to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Spring 2025, in-person, 6 weeks.
Professional Development Workshops
Some professions work with others’ stories as a matter of course. Think of first responders, nurses, social workers, therapists, prison faculty and volunteers, and others. If you are part of an organization that handles sensitive stories, you know that sometimes these stories are hard to let go of. I teach a specialized program for letting go of those stories that stay with us, focusing on secondary trauma and the use of expressive writing as a tool for its release. This workshop is designed for groups of 10 or fewer, and can be in-person or online. Sessions run 2-3 hours and are curated to the needs of your group.
Rates start at $500 with a sliding scale for non-profits and smaller organizations. Larger groups and travel incur different costs. Please reach out to me for more information.
Collaboration & Hosting
I am open to scheduling collaborative workshops with queer, BIPOC, and differently-abled individuals. If this is you, please reach out to me via the form on my Contact Page. I’d love to hear more about what you think we can do together.
Likewise, I would love to hear from you if you know of a place you would love to see my courses offered.
In short, if you’d like to work with me, reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you!