Life Happens When You Are Busy Making Plans

I was planning on taking a sabbatical from teaching my workshops starting in January. But, after careful thought, I have decided to modify it. The feedback I received, coupled with my own reluctance to give up doing something I love (even thought it’s for another something I love), has made me rethink taking a year and half off teaching.

My motivation for issuing myself a sabbatical came from the amount of work I have for school, which is only going to increase come my third semester in January. The third and fourth semesters at Pine Manor’s Solstice program (little plug) are designated for writing your thesis–not one but two, one in each of those semesters. So, looking at my life, coaching and tutoring (my work) and then my children (I have a 16 month old and almost 6 year old), I realized, I cannot do it all. Something has to give.

However, after receiving quite a few emails that asked if maybe I would consider running one or two more abbreviated workshops before I go, I thought–there’s got to be a way to continue to teach and get the time off I need.

So, I came up with a plan: Between February and June, I will run five Saturday afternoon intensive workshops that will focus on journaling your way to storytelling–perfect for anyone interested in writing anything from short, creative nonfiction essays, novels, short stories–anything creative. I will teach the powerful techniques that are the hallmark of Releasing The Writer Within and introduce some new things that I have learned at school. I will also throw in some during the week one-night two hour classes–possibly a class on revision and a Critique & Feedback. So, my sabbatical will really be from July to when I graduate in January 2011.

Don’t forget, too, that I am offering online tutorials–classes online for individuals rather than a group of students. Those tutorials can begin at a designated date that I will determine with the student. I also am offering online classes that begin the first Wednesday of every month and run for four weeks. The cost for the classes and tutorials are the same.

Click here for the schedule for all these classes. Don’t forget becoming a member of Releasing The Writer Within enables you to receive the very steep discounts on all classes as well as writing coaching sessions and packages.

New book and upcoming class

New book is up on my site but not ready to go "live" in bookstores. Check out the summary and cover.
Fear of Falling

Also, the last Releasing The Writer Within "live" class (until 2011) begins on September 8, 2009 @ 7pm in Warren, RI. Go to the website for details.

Bites From Today's Class

The following lines were written today in my class that I am teaching in Warren called Releasing The Writer Within: The Master Class. This is the 3rd class in this series, which began on March 14th, 2009. If you read this blog, have never taken one of my classes, and become interested in sampling a class, all you have to do is email me and say, “I read your blog. Can I check out your class?” And you can try one class in this series for free!

These lines were pulled out from larger pieces that were written during our warm-up. I call these little nuggets "genius lines"– they just show up in spontaneous writing, surprising the writer and reader in their wisdom.

Terry
Each worry is a bite out of our spirit.

Linda
I’m planning my next sentence.

Joanne
I’d like to meet the person who said 'life sucks and then you die' and ask him or her how do you know?

Tricia
I need to have the perfect level of angst to write.

Nancy
F-ck it. I’m late.

Deb
What does my brain want to do? Shut down.

Hannah
My disjointedness is my wholeness

And from last week...

Chris
It feels normal to be misunderstood.

Joy
He misunderstands my silence.

Genius Lines

Releasing The Writer Within ™ Write Your Novel in 12 Weeks just concluded this past week. Our next workshop, The Master Class is for beginners and continuing students. Check out the following “genius lines” from our last class. This is just a sample of the incredible work that was created this session. For more from this class, “stay tuned”– we are compiling our best work for Volume 7 of Raw Writing, our very own e-zine, available, for free on my website. I will post the link for downloading some time in late March 2009. For a look at past issues, click here.



“I never gave in to the overwhelming lure of abandonment.” -Joy

“God isn’t some cosmic bellboy…I don’t believe prayer changes my outcomes…I do pray…it keeps me centered and helps me figure out what God expects of me.” -Maggie, author of Not Of My Making

“I mean he usually sounds like he’s shoveling shit when he talks, but now he was really digging.” -Chris

“I longed for the place where I was free to be me, fun, creative, hopeful, imaginative, limitless, and safe.” -Shakay

“Couldn’t they see that all the shit that comes out of my mouth is just scripted lines on the pages of a play, and my role in the play is Mr. Bad Ass.” -Terry

“Now, as I sit on my sofa, single and alone, I am so scared of how my decision will affect my ability to have another intimate relationship.” -Linda

“Time heals old wounds they say, I think it's bull shit. I pat Sasha on the head and place the first ornament on my tree.” -Kim

March Writing Class Info.

I am finally putting all of the Releasing The Writer Within classes into one GIANT, 14-week class. I cover everything from journaling to writing fiction to getting published. Below is the information about the class. I hope to see some of you sign up. Feel free to email me about the class. An online version is available as well.


Releasing The Writer Within
The Master Class
Become a master writer in 14 weeks.
Taught by award-winning author, Hannah R. Goodman, M.Ed

Isn’t it time to make your writing dreams come true?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn how to:

• Combat writer’s block
• Journal freely
• Compose fiction and creative non-fiction
• Edit and revise your work
• Break into the world of publishing

________________________________________________________________________

Date: March 1st, 2008. For 14 Weeks. No class on March 23rd, April 19th, and May 26th.
Time: 2-4:15 pm.
Place: East Bay Chamber Of Commerce. 16 Cutler Street. Warren, RI.
Cost: Members of Releasing The Writer Within Learning & Writing Community and pay $425! Non-members pay $455.
Contact: Hannah R. Goodman @ 401-935-6466.
To register: Please download the registration form online at hannahrgoodman.com/Registrationformmaster.pdf OR call Hannah at 401-935-6466 and a registration form will be mailed to you. OR, email Hannah at hrgoodman@cox.net.


*East Bay Chamber of Commerce Members get $10 off tuition amount.
**Class is broken down into 4 mini semesters, with “breaks” for the major holidays.
***Classes held in Warren at The Chamber, in the conference room.
****Beginners and advanced students welcome.
*****Meet like-minded creative people in a caring and supportive environment.


Please visit us at: www.releasingthewriterwithin.com

Check out Plucky Althea's review of my writing classes. Plus, it's an interesting blog to read.