Classes
Winter 2020: The Writing Life Weekly Classes - Tuesdays
Retreats
March 2-7, 2020 - Deepening the Writing Life - Taos, New Mexico
July 10-12, 2020 - Exploring Memoir, a Writing Retreat - The Adelynrood Retreat Center - Byfield, MA
More...
Day-long, weekend and week-long group retreats are available by request. Email Barbara at barbaramoneil@gmail.com.
What is Writing Practice?
It is my great pleasure to inspire writers to follow their passion for writing, to break through any blocks they might have and to reach the deep well of material that is available to all of us, if we just pay attention.
With practice, you actually do get better. You learn to trust your voice and attempt to let go of the inner critic. Since we are "just practicing," we welcome whatever comes onto the page. We take risks. Go deep. Timed writing creates pressure. Inspired by a prompt, you may be guided to write for three minutes, ten minutes, a half hour. It is very dynamic.
There are simple rules:
Trust first thoughts, keep your hand moving, accept your curious mind, go for the heat of the material.
This is not a critique group in which we polish finished pieces. That can come later. Rather, we use class time to generate new material. We alternate periods of writing with deep listening to ourselves and each other in small and large groups. We learn from each other, giving feedback in the form of recall.
Barbara Goes on Retreat!
I am always on the lookout for inspiration to deepen my work as a writer and a teacher. A beloved teacher once advised me to "stay a student," open and learning, even as I guide others in writing practice. To that end, I read, attend author presentations locally, and seek out writing workshops and retreats.
Northwest Writing Institute - Lewis and Clark College - Portland, Oregon
In June 2018, I attended an intensive week-long graduate course with Professor Kim Stafford, founder of the Northwest Writing Institute at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. His method of teaching "generative writing" deepened and broadened what I have learned from my teachers over the years. Kim Stafford is presently the Poet Laureate of Oregon.
Memoir Tours - Country Mayo, Ireland
In September 2019, I attended a ten-day writing retreat in County Mayo, Ireland. Sitting by the peat fire in my small cottage by the Bay, I had time to write and reflect. I met each day with one of two local writers who were available to give feed back as I worked on revisions of work I have generated over the years. What a treasured and productive time it was. If you're interested in learning more for your own interest, visit Memoir Tours here.
Winter 2020: The Writing Life Weekly Classes - Tuesdays
- Tuesday morning classes at The Concord Public Library
- Generative writing with a focus on developing a writing practice
- Open to all levels
- To register, visit Concord-Carlisle Community and Adult Education
- Wednesday morning classes at the Umbrella Center for the Arts
- Generative writing with a focus on developing a writing practice
- Geared toward more experienced writers
- To register, email Barbara at barbaramoneil@gmail.com
Retreats
March 2-7, 2020 - Deepening the Writing Life - Taos, New Mexico
- All information can be found at Taos Retreat
- To register, email Barbara at barbaramoneil@gmail.com
- For information about the Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, visit http://mabeldodgeluhan.com/workshops
July 10-12, 2020 - Exploring Memoir, a Writing Retreat - The Adelynrood Retreat Center - Byfield, MA
- To learn more and register, visit Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Center online.
More...
Day-long, weekend and week-long group retreats are available by request. Email Barbara at barbaramoneil@gmail.com.
What is Writing Practice?
It is my great pleasure to inspire writers to follow their passion for writing, to break through any blocks they might have and to reach the deep well of material that is available to all of us, if we just pay attention.
With practice, you actually do get better. You learn to trust your voice and attempt to let go of the inner critic. Since we are "just practicing," we welcome whatever comes onto the page. We take risks. Go deep. Timed writing creates pressure. Inspired by a prompt, you may be guided to write for three minutes, ten minutes, a half hour. It is very dynamic.
There are simple rules:
Trust first thoughts, keep your hand moving, accept your curious mind, go for the heat of the material.
This is not a critique group in which we polish finished pieces. That can come later. Rather, we use class time to generate new material. We alternate periods of writing with deep listening to ourselves and each other in small and large groups. We learn from each other, giving feedback in the form of recall.
Barbara Goes on Retreat!
I am always on the lookout for inspiration to deepen my work as a writer and a teacher. A beloved teacher once advised me to "stay a student," open and learning, even as I guide others in writing practice. To that end, I read, attend author presentations locally, and seek out writing workshops and retreats.
Northwest Writing Institute - Lewis and Clark College - Portland, Oregon
In June 2018, I attended an intensive week-long graduate course with Professor Kim Stafford, founder of the Northwest Writing Institute at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. His method of teaching "generative writing" deepened and broadened what I have learned from my teachers over the years. Kim Stafford is presently the Poet Laureate of Oregon.
Memoir Tours - Country Mayo, Ireland
In September 2019, I attended a ten-day writing retreat in County Mayo, Ireland. Sitting by the peat fire in my small cottage by the Bay, I had time to write and reflect. I met each day with one of two local writers who were available to give feed back as I worked on revisions of work I have generated over the years. What a treasured and productive time it was. If you're interested in learning more for your own interest, visit Memoir Tours here.
Writing at Lynn's Pub in Killala Bay, County Mayo, Ireland.