“No matter the form or genre, it’s all about ‘finding your story’ and then sorting through the ways and means to let the story live for the reader. ” — Carmen Goldthwaite
SPIRITUAL WRITING…
A WORKSHOP FOR NOVICE AND ‘PRO’
Veteran author, teacher of writing and a former hospital chaplain, Carmen will call on a long-lived life as well as the three skills – writing, teaching, chaplaincy – to guide both workshops. Be sure to join us.
Don’t miss…
Our “Customary… yet always a bit different”
Spiritual Writing Workshop
February 28, 10 – 3 online
Why?
DISCOVERY ARRIVES IN THE WRITING: new ideas, thoughts…a new, perhaps somewhat different understanding than when we began.
And so…
Often PEOPLE with life-altering spiritual or religious experiences have reached lessons for living, often with a new freedom of self, perhaps a new confidence that they’re sowing the spiritual seeds that are a right fit for them.
And so they want to share.
So we’ll focus on writing to share…with respect for all viewpoints.
JOIN US
Saturday – February 28 – 10 – 3
After all, Carmen’s been nurturing the classes, our “Writers’ Circles…for 16 years following some university teaching.
- A teacher of classes called “Writers Circles” where up to 8 people gather – in person or online weekly I present info on writing and story crafting; each participant (if they wish) reads their writing and receives reinforcement about what’s good as well as how to make it better.
- Special interest workshops and writing retreats
- Occasional conference or guest speaking gigs about writing.
- AND a small e-book, “Let’s Write…and have Fun!“
- This year a couple of special interest workshops are:
1. FEBRUARY 28, 10-3: Spiritual Writing Workshop 3rd Edition (on Zoom)
2. On April 18, 10 a.m. we’ll explore Memoir & the Personal Essay (on Zoom)
REGISTER by 10 pm the Friday night before a workshop so I may send you the Zoom link. $75 each Workshop
This small e-book is chock full of writerly tips from the basic how-to of story and style to the wisdom of a plethora of writers. It’S about various strategies from breaking free of “writers’ block” to fine-tuning your writing, so that it sings, not stumbles across the page. Consider it a short and snappy “how to” or an easy stroll for review.
An E-book on how to write…better: Let’s Write…and Have Fun, $12.99
What Began with a Mix of Writers Experienced and Novice…16 Years Later Still is the Mix only now some Meet on Zoom while others Vote for “in person” that is at my West Fort Worth home.
A Simple Request Began Carmen’s Fort Worth Writers’ Circles:
Sixteen years ago, while looking to write a book, a Fort Worth man, Jim B. asked: “Will you teach me? At your house?”
That simple question and a “yes” began two Writers’ Circles in my living room. COVID chased us onto Zoom and now one group has returned to the living Room; another is a split decision, and the newest, THE THIRD, has remained on Zoom with writers from different towns, cities and states. All are a good mix, engage in vigorous discussion and readily accept ways to “make it better” whether “it” is a poem, short story, memoir, nonfiction or a novel.
A founding principle, “brag first and then offer suggestions for making it better” I learned from Dr. Pam Kelly head of instruction for the former Writer’s Institute in Connecticut where I trained as a teacher. She was a master teacher. And it makes sense that we can more readily accept critique if we’re not hit with “what’s wrong” right off the bat.
That guiding philosophy prompted Writers’ Circle members to make a sign and name us “Scribblers’ Sanctuary,” now also the name of the newsletter.
By the way. Sign up for it if you haven’t; share it with another. It’s FREE! Readers receive a monthly (basically) issue. One month is devoted to writing and the next to Texas history.
“Carmen’s life experience as a reporter, author, activist, lecturer and world class storyteller is invaluable in helping writers find their own stories.”
SO SAYS ONE WHO KNOWS, Kay Dial, Dallas essayist and memoirist, has been a regular participant in Carmen’s classes, the Writers’ Circles and SMU classes.
Writers’ Circles
Writers’ Circles meet Tuesdays at 7 pm in person
Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, in-person or zoom.
Thursday night group, 7 pm, ZOOM.
To begin each class, I offer bits ‘n pieces of writerly wisdom on some element of story or style. Then members read their work and receive suggestions. It’s mixed forms, mixed genres and mixed experience levels: Novels, Short Stories, Essays and Articles, Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir. Occasionally a poet or three.
Each Circle session runs for six weeks, then a new one begins for another six weeks. Many writers continue, relishing the camaraderie, feedback, motivation and learning while working on longer writings.
These groups are small, 8 people max.
To talk more about how a Writers’ Circle might fit your writing and your schedule, or to register, get in touch with me by phone or EMAIL.
Another student says:
“I’ve been attending the Tuesday Writers’ Circle for over six years, as I have worked on two historical fiction novels. Carmen’s guidance and feedback has been invaluable for my projects, and the group feedback has been a powerful resource also. The weekly meetings keep me motivated and making progress…”
David Ekstrom
For 16 years, men and women have knocked on the door of my writing place, my home, “Scribblers’ Sanctuary,” nicknamed by those early students who made the sign on the front door.
What another writer said…
“Until I had the good fortune to join with others in Carmen Goldthwaite’s Writers’ Circle (teaching circle), I was one of those writers who scribbled poems on the back of used envelopes, wrote essays without attempting re-writes and dreamed of someday writing a book. And now, four years later, under Carmen’s tutelage, I have completed that long-dreamed-of book – IT’LL RAIN SOMEDAY… ALWAYS DOES (published by the TCU Press.)
“And yes, I still scribble on the backs of scrap paper and write the occasional essay. And yet, now have some idea about the worth of those words.”
—Carol Durham Henderson, Author
I speak and teach at writing events – conferences, conventions, retreats and writing organizations. — Carmen Goldthwaite
Some of what others have said:
“Dear Carmen,
Houston writer/editor and beautiful poet Sarah Cortez at East Texas Writers Guild Conference
I have to confess that I felt as though I could listen to you all day long! Thank you for your graceful and classy presence at the conference!”
“You alone made the conference worth attending, and I’m looking forward to hearing you again.”
Caleb Pirtle after Northeast Texas Writers conference
Previous events & topics
Storytelling Events, multi years, at Pioneer Farms – Telling stories of the “little known or long forgotten” women at Pioneer Farms, a living history museum on the northern outskirts of Austin.
Weatherford Public Library – “Weaving Genealogy into Stories” and “Finding Your Story.”
The Texas Writers Guild, Point of View
East Texas Writers Guild conference—Scene & Setting & Point of View
Northeast Texas Writers Organization, Point of View, Description with Movement.
Fort Worth Public Library, Finding the Story & Memoir
Dallas Fort Worth Writers Workshop Conferences 2011 – 2014: Addressing Dialogue, Creative Nonfiction, Finding the Story, Setting Scenes & Description & Movement, Narrative Nonfiction.
Professional Insurance Communicators of America (PICA); “Storycraft”
The Texas Writers Guild, “Creative Nonfiction”
National Novel Writing Month in November (NaNoWriMo), “Dialogue, the Tension Engine of Fiction”
Texas Writers League Annual Agents Convention, “Voice, Suspense & Style,” Austin, TX
Creative Writing department, “Dialogue” and “Story,” Woman’s Club of Fort Worth
Novice writing classes at First Christian, First Methodist and Arlington Heights Christian Church, all in Fort Worth
See you next month. If you’re a writer, want to be or pro, “have fun writing.” If you’re a reader, enjoy! And thank you.
–Carmen Goldthwaite