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WRITING WORKSHOPS
WRITE YOUR LIFE
with DEAN LOFTON
Currently offering:
Write 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...
What happens in class...
(and see class contract below)
- We write and read out loud in class. However, you can always “pass” and no one will mind a bit. (Bullies do not take this class.)
- Escape all things digital - we write by hand with pen or pencil on paper. Old school. No laptops, ipads or phones allowed.
- Even if you don’t like to write, don’t worry… words will be spilling out of you right away… it’s magical
- Only really nice people take these classes.
2012 Schedule
FEBRUARY 4-week sessions:
Wednesdays, February 8 - 29, 12noon - 2pm
Class fee: $100
Location: Fire Tree Studios, 710 East 41st Street, Austin, TX 78751 (behind the Griffin School)
MARCH 4-week sessions:
Tuesdays, March 6 – 27, 7 – 10pm
Class fee: $100
Location: Unity Church of Austin, 5501 West Highway 290, Austin, TX 78735
Wednesdays, March 7 - 28, 12noon – 2pm
Class fee: $100
Location: The Writing Barn, 10202 Wommack Road, Austin, TX 78748
APRIL 4-week sessions:
Tuesdays, April 3 - 24, 7 – 10pm
Class fee: $100
Location: Unity Church of Austin, 5501 West Highway 290, Austin, TX 78735
Wednesdays, Apirl 4 - 25, 12noon – 2pm
Class fee: $100
Location: The Writing Barn, 10202 Wommack Road, Austin, TX 78748
MAY 4-week sessions:
Tuesdays, May 1 - 22, 7 – 10pm
Class fee: $100
Location: Unity Church of Austin, 5501 West Highway 290, Austin, TX 78735
Wednesdays, May 2 - 23, 12noon – 2pm
Class fee: $100
Location: The Writing Barn, 10202 Wommack Road, Austin, TX 78748
Please email dean@deanlofton.com to register.
For information on future classes please
Join the email list 
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. Workshops can be tailored for your organization, special event or group of friends.
Credits include:
long-running “skirt tales” column in the original skirt! Magazine
body/mind spirit column, features and reporting in the
Charleston Post and Courier and the Columbia Free Times,
Columbia Business Journal, Charleston Regional Business Journal,
short stories and feminism column in Point
I was recently a guest on Writing On the Air on KOOP 91.7,
and discussed the Writing Your Life as a Woman class.
Click here to listen to the podcast.
"A two-hour per week respite with no phones, laptops or other electronic distractions, surrounded by a mix of fabulously interesting women including songwriters, movers and shakers and professionals - sign me up! ... I left class that day feeling liberated and expressed. ... it's fabulous!"
- Launch787.com
"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
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... 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 the '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
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 whole-heartedly 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.
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.
b. I will honor the class motto of "Never say you're sorry before you read."
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