WRITING WORKSHOPS

Writing Your Life As A Woman

 A class taught in the style of journal writing workshops…
guides women to write their stories and discover their voice…
gentle encouragement in a non-academic, creative environment…
no writing experience necessary...

The class meets once a week for four weeks:

**Just added: Tuesdays, March 9 - 30, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Opal Divine's, Penn Field: 3601 S. Congress in the Scotch Room

FULL - Wednesdays, March 10 - 31, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at Alleywood Studios, 1902 S. Congress
*enter at blue door in alley behind Bird's Barbershop

Class fee $75. Email dean@deanlofton.com to register.

I was a guest on KEYE's We Are Austin Live
talking about the benefits of a daily writing practice.

"Need a nudge to get those creative juices flowing? Women looking for a casual, creative environment where they can share their words would do well to sign up for this motivating and positive experience."
- Austin Chronicle

"Pencil in some time for yourself... participants de-stress,
remember past experiences, and look toward the future."
- The State

Feel like when everything is taken care of there’s no time left for you?
Give yourself two hours a week away from it all. Put pen to paper
and ponder your life. Write about your past, present and future.

What happens in class... In this class we awaken our creative spirits with writing exercises – about ideas, and what makes us happy, and descriptions, and feelings, and déjà vu, and when we feel most creative, and people we’ve known, and a jillion other things.

• We’ll write, then read our writings out loud in class. However, you can always “pass” and no one will mind a bit. (Bullies do not take this class.)
• If you don’t like to write, don’t worry… words will be spilling out of you right away… it’s magic, I can’t explain it, but you’ll see, I promise.
• Spelling, grammar and punctuation don’t matter
• There are no tests or grades
• Only really nice people take these classes
• No apologizing for your writing. No “sorrys.” Before reading their writing people often say, “I’m sorry this isn’t very good.” There’s no wrong way to do this writing. (Start noticing how many times you say “I’m sorry,” and ask yourself why.)
• You are required to accept compliments. A smile and saying “thank you,” are the best replies, along with a bit of basking.

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 not only because I knew I would be writing uninterrupted for a period of time, but because I so loved hearing other woman's stories and writing styles. One of my favorite parts of the class was simply listening to the other voices in the room, some marked with sadness, others with humor, but all powerful in their own way. I loved this format of class - no critiquing, no judging - just writing and sharing. I would take it again just to experience a different set of women writing together." ~ 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 (ironically both times in October) and it really sets me up for writing. Since November is "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, grad student

"I have really enjoyed the class' '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

" … gave me a structure and focus to organize my thoughts and emotions... helped me to build confidence in my writing and a better sense of self-esteem."
~ Sharon, 52, writer

"... gave me confidence and faith in myself, in others and in the world in general. It was a true blessing."
~ Catherine, 26, technical writer

"...tapped into parts of me that were long dormant. Opened doors of creativity and intuitiveness I didn't know I had. The class allowed me to be me."
~ Leigh, 34, sales rep

"… provided a refreshing way to reflect on what’s important in my life and why I am who I am."
~ Kara, 32, public relations manager

" … I found both the inspiration and the structure to be important."
~ Amy, 31, writer

Since 1997 I've designed and taught non-academic, community writing workshops such as Writing Your Life as a Woman, Collecting Your Memories and the Closet Fiction Writer's Workshop. Please email me to join my mailing list for class schedule announcements.

Workshops can be tailored for your organization,
special event or group of friends!