March 2012

10,000 First Drafts
Saturday, March 24  1-6 p.m.
$90 

Do you have a shelf, box or closet of writing that “never went anywhere”?  Do you have a notebook or computer folder of exercises you’ve started in a workshop or Bootcamp and aren’t sure which ones are worth expanding and which ones to toss? This class involves strategies writers can use to choose which work to develop and concrete methods that will help us bring our old work back to life. By composting, resurrecting, cannibalizing and collaging old texts, we can use elements of our old poems, journals, notes and drafts, to transform into new texts. With clear sight and careful choices, you can steal ideas, language and forms from yourself, to remake into new work in the present.
To register: rosa235@earthlink.net

This includes self-editing, peer-editing, the work of developmental editors, proofreaders and the editorial relationship between authors and publishers. The skill of learning to edit your own work is in learning how to make a text more interesting and navigable for the reader, while not losing the passion and authenticity of the author’s voice. Together we will study and practice the fine art of editing, using examples from the work of published writers. To register: rosa235@earthlink.net

APRIL 2012

The Poet’s Eye
Saturday, April 21   1-6 p.m.
$90 

The writer James Lowell once said “The eye is the notebook of the poet”. In this class those who are interested in poetry are invited to learn to see and experience the world with the careful and curious eye of the poet. Regardless of what type of poetry interests you, poetry invites you to look deeply at both yourself and your world. Throughout history poetry has always called writers to see and capture both the smallest details and the largest themes that spark their interest. Together we will experiment with some of the techniques poets can use to perceive the world in a more unique and vibrant way. Open to any writer with an interest in poetry.   To register: rosa235@earthlink.net.    

Writers and The Web
Sunday, April 22   1-6 p.m.
$90 

Like it or not, the internet is here to stay. The key for working writers is to think carefully about how the web can feed, inspire, support your work and allow you to connect with writing ideas, communities, opportunities, peers, agents, readers, publishers, reviewers, etc without getting overwhelmed. Whether you have public or private goals as a writer, the web is a vital tool in moving your writing life forward. And regardless of whether you are tech-savvy or still typing with one finger, there are a few basic, simple techniques you can use to make your on-line writing life more organized, productive and fun. Together we will talk about what the web is and how we can use it, discussing the basics of Author platforms and websites, gateway emails, blogs, on-classes, self-publishing, research, submitting your work on-line, on-line journals and magazines, etc.   To register: rosa235@earthlink.net.    

April Satellite Sunday
Sunday, April 1   11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
$90

This is a one-day session for working writers who want to carve out a single, supported day in which to get some of their work done without the interruptions of work, family, phones or the thousand other distractions that keep us from focusing. We will begin by meeting as a group, during which Max will be present via a Skype video call. He will help each individual writer to set up fun and realistic goals for their writing day. Then we will break out into the many individual rooms in the Spectrum Center to write on our own. All rooms are furnished with desks, couches and multiple places to work. No more than 2 writers will be assigned to each room, in order to allow students to spread out their work and to maintain a mindful presence and quiet companionship with other writers, thus becoming “satellites” for one another. Max will be available throughout the day via Skype to help problem-solve and brainstorm for writers who might be stuck or need more individual support. At the end of the afternoon the class will meet again as a group and discuss the work that was done.

The goal of this day is to produce an experience of being a focused, intentional writer, NOT to produce a certain number of pages. Some writers may spend their afternoon reading and then constructing a single poem, while others might spread out their notes and outline a whole book. Some might revise a chapter, while others might make a single list. Regardless of the outcome, each writer will have an opportunity to enjoy peace, quiet and to examine their own work patterns. Open to any interested writer. Class size is limited to 12 people.  To register: rosa235@earthlink.net. 

JUNE 2012

10-Day Boulder Writing Projects Retreat
June 15-25, 2012 in Boulder, CO
$950

What if you had 10 whole days just to focus on your writing? We all have writing projects that end up “on the back burner” waiting for us to have a day off, a week’s vacation or an imagined “someday” during which we can pull out those files and notebooks, sit down, get organized and really get some writing done.

This 10-day writing retreat is a chance to step out of your everyday lives and schedules, and dedicate some time to getting your writing project off the ground. Boulder is a beautiful little college town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains 30 miles northwest of Denver. Students will stay in local rental homes, hotels or cottages, all centered around the downtown area and the Pearl Street walking mall, full of shops, bookstores and places to write. We will meet together as a group everyday to write, edit and strategize about the work that needs to be done. Together we will discuss our projects and come up with a work-plan customized for each student. We will meet in the mornings to set up the daily schedule, work on our own during the days and meet in the evenings to share our progress and read to one another from our on-going pages. By the end of the week each project should be more fully structured, developed and well underway, if not finished! This retreat is open to local students as well as those joining us from writing communities outside of Boulder. We welcome all your messy files, old journals, disorganized pages and wild ideas, no matter how tiny or gigantic. Join us and lets get some WORK done! For more information, drop Max an email at maxregan@mac.com

SUMMER / FALL SCHEDULE  TBA