Play It Forward: Writing Workshop

Enrich your writing through play—in this special workshop with authors Laura Boggess and Laura Lynn Brown.

Begins May 8, 2017. Limit 10 participants. Register by May 1 to avoid a $10 late registration fee.

Have you ever wished that whimsy and fun—that play itself—could be the beginning of serious work?

Looking at important historical movements and inventions, bestselling author Steven Johnson argues that today’s play is tomorrow’s promise. A toy, a game, a little magic in the form of flutes, fountains and floating boats can become far more.

While the dazzle of delight has fueled the rise of things as massive as the Industrial Revolution and programmable computers, it can serve you, too—making you a more vibrant storyteller, a more contented traveler through time, and a more observant participant in life itself. As Julia Cameron asserts, in The Artist’s Way, “The imagination at play is at the heart of all good work.”

In this delightful workshop, you’ll get guidance in the whys and hows and ways of play. You’ll also keep a play journal and participate in weekly Artist Dates. Fun writing prompts, activities, and mind-inspiring readings and videos will be part of your regular play fare—all with the goal to help you “play it forward” and take your writing to a place of unexpected promise.

8-week course includes

• Weekly lessons, activities, and hand-selected reading assignments related to play and writing

• Writing prompts to help you tell your stories through the lens of play. You’ll also keep a play journal

• Journal partners. You’ll be paired with one other workshop participant to share your journal entries weekly

• Artist Date ideas and encouragement

• Six asynchronous discussions that you can participate in at your convenience and two live Zoom video chats (recorded, in case you need to miss)

12-week course includes

• Four more weeks of lessons, activities, and hand-selected reading assignments related to play and writing

• Extra writing prompts and opportunities to journal about your play

• Four additional weeks of journal partnering

• More Artist Date ideas and encouragement

• Three more asynchronous discussions that you can participate in at your convenience and one more live Zoom video chat (recorded, in case you need to miss)

• Professional guidance on how to “play it forward” and get your work published (includes basic assistance on finding venues and querying)

• Continued access to the private classroom space after the course is completed

Why Play? A Little Inspiration from Wonderland

You’ll find the future wherever people are having the most fun”

—Steven Johnson

For You

• Private online group setting that includes a free digital copy of Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing

• Besides the regular lessons and activities, each week will also include an optional link to something about play — an article (including several Artist Dates from Tweetspeak), a YouTube video, and so on

You Will Need

A computer or mobile device with an Internet connection capable of accessing our interactive online space, clicking on documents, and participating in Zoom chats. And you’ll need your favorite writing devices: computer, pencil, pen, crayon, notebook paper, Moleskine, spiral, or other creative tool.

Your Workshop Leaders

Laura Boggess is a clinical psychologist who specializes in sparking the injured brain to heal. She is also the author of Playdates with God, which she wrote after engaging in her own journey of play.

Laura Lynn Brown is a writer, editor, and writing coach who honed her writing and editing talents at The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Her work was named as a Notable Essay in the 2013 Best American Essays. Laura has an MFA in nonfiction and is the author of Everything That Makes You Mom. During 2017, she’s engaged in a play and work project through the Pittsburgh-based Center for Play and Exploration.

From Past Tweetspeak Workshop Participants

Sharon Gibbs: Thank you for making Tweetspeak Poetry such a rich area of living and learning. The workshops are not only life-changing, but they have blessed me with friendships and community outside the classroom(s).

Darrelyn Saloom: I signed up for the fiction class at a crazy/busy time. What was I thinking? With all the chaos in my life, I am so happy I did. I would NEVER have completed a 3-thousand word short story without Anthony. It was wonderful to have his guidance and feedback. And I am so pleased with the result.

Brad Grout: I am personally getting so much out of this memoir workshop…you people are AMAZING!

Lane Arnold: I struck gold. An afternoon session of writing poetry is good for the soul. The poetry workshop is a catalyst for creativity.

Lexanne Leonard: The most important step I’ve taken is to join Tweetspeak’s Poetry Workshop with Anne Doe Overstreet. I cannot begin to thank Tweetspeak, Anne, and my fellow students for this journey.

Darlene S.: I don’t think I can put into words both the overall value of the lessons learned and the encouragement I got.

Sandra Heska King: This was absolutely the single best whim I’ve followed.

Register by May 1 to avoid a $10 Late Fee

8 week • BUY NOW $350 + $10 Late registration fee = $360

12 week • BUY NOW $420 + $10 Late registration fee = $430

Photo by Samuel David Rinehart, Creative Commons, via Flickr.