Starts Today—The Making of a Heroine: Writing Workshop

Journey with author Callie Feyen, to explore the making of a heroine in stories and yourself.

Starts Sep 2. Register by August 26 to avoid a $10 late registration fee. Limit 10 participants.

She is courageous. She is wise. Maybe she is hilarious or kind. Perhaps she is bold. Or strong. Whatever characteristics we think of when considering a heroine, she is a female we admire and sympathize with. She is someone we will follow anywhere.

But how does a heroine become one? What does she have to do? What tests and trials must she go through? Can she have help from friends or family, or is this something she must do alone? Is a heroine reserved only for folklore, or is she present in our lives today? Is she within us?

In this writing workshop, we’ll read a range of literature in order to study the making of a heroine. We’ll complete reading and writing activities that will encourage us to join deeply in the journey and making of a heroine. The course will end with a culminating project that will explore where we see heroines in stories and real life, and where we’ve found these heroic characteristics within ourselves.

8-Week Basic Course Includes

• Weekly readings (nonfiction, occasional poetry and a bit of fiction) from writers like Nora Ephron, Ann Patchett, Erica S. Perl, Hannah E. Harrison, Jaqueline Woodson and more, to help inspire and shape your own writing

• Writing prompts, assignments, and activities to help you identify and begin to write your heroic journeys

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

• Pairing with a peer for weekly individual feedback and/or critique

8 Week *Premium* Level Course Includes

• All aspects of Basic level

• Professional guidance on how to begin to get your work published

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

• Choose one:

-Professional editing of two articles you hope to submit for publication
-One high-points manuscript evaluation for a book-length project
-A 1/2-hour book-planning live conference session via Zoom

Note to Teachers

You may be able to get professional development units for our courses. We recommend this service offered by Courses4Teachers (and that you check with your district beforehand).

For You

Private online group “classroom” where you can be assured of a setting that’s been set aside just for you. No distracting social media setup to contend with.

You Will Need

Buy or borrow these books:

Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson
Matched, Ally Condie
Twirl, Callie Feyen
Bernice Gets Carried Away, Hannah E. Harrison
Wave, Suzy Lee
IslandBorn, Junot Diaz
Dotty, Erica Perl

You should have available:

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, tablet, pencil, pen, crayon, notebook paper, Moleskine, spiral, or other creative tool. We also recommend a library card because this workshop includes multiple books.

Your Workshop Leader

Callie Feyen is the author of Twirl: My Life With Stories, Writing & Clothes and The Teacher Diaries: Romeo & Juliet. She’s an editor at Tweetspeak Poetry and has served as an English teacher and a literacy specialist.

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).

Laura Lapins Willis: The writing workshop I’m taking with Tweetspeak Poetry has been transformational. I’ve had a great teacher/mentor who has encouraged our group with interesting readings and assignments. My classmates have broadened my perspective and challenged me to be a better reader and writer.

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.

Debra Hale-Shelton: My writing had become formulaic after so many years having to write the facts and just the facts. For the first time in years, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my craft, again dreamed of becoming what I dreamed of at age 18—a writer, not a reporter.

Rhonda Owen: Both of the Tweetspeak workshops I’ve taken this year have nourished me on so many levels. I also feel energized and revitalized through the relationships I’ve formed with the lovely, talented, kind people I’ve met in the workshops. Transformative is the best word to describe it…

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

8 week *Basic* • BUY NOW $350 + $10 late registration fee = $360

8 week *Premium* • BUY NOW $399 + $10 late registration fee = $409

Photo by Peter Makeyev, Creative Commons, via Flickr.