Writing From the Heart - Words as Spiritual Practice
Rev. Carol LaChance
Are words your preferred artistic expression? Do you wish you had a supportive community of writers to hear your voice? Do you need more understanding of the craft of writing? Do you wish you could listen and learn from others on the writing journey?
This class will explore writing as a spiritual expression of our heart's experiences using a writers' workshop format where all participants will give and receive feedback.
Over the next eight weeks we will write using the following topics and formats, with a focus on word choice: 1. Blessing (poetry) 2. Longing (heart's desire) 3. Place (describe your heart place) 4. Person (someone you love) 5. Narrative (what creates strong narrative). 6. Dialogue ( how to write realistic dialogue) 7. Plot (how to see the arc of a story or essay). 8. Voice - a shared celebration (read your favorite piece to the group)
Program Objectives and Outcomes: Words can give expression to our deepest longings and experiences. This class will provide a safe, sacred circle where participants can share their writing and receive supportive feedback. Together we will explore the spiritual practice of finding heart-centered words to tell our stories.
Who will this program benefit? All those who love to write and use words to paint the pictures of their life experiences. Those new to writing and those already immersed in writing projects are welcome.
Prerequisites: A love of words. A desire to share, listen, and experiment. A willingness to write between classes and share your work.
Suggested Reading: John O'Donohue poems in To Bless the Space Between Us or his book Anam Cara. HIs writing gives us a sense of how well-chosen words from the heart can bless the reader.
Minimum Number of Participants: 5
Start/End Dates: March 5/April 23
Start/End Times: 3:00 PM/5:00 PM
Number of Hours per Session: 2
Number of Classes to be Offered: 8
Frequency: Weekly
Days and Dates: Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23
Are participants required to attend all sessions or can they select individual sessions to attend? All sessions are required.
Tuition: $225
Location: Zoom
Questions about this class? Email programs@tolit.org and your question will be forwarded to the presenter. Be sure to indicate the title of the class in your email.
About the presenter: Rev. Carol LaChance loves to use words as an expression of spiritual practice. Carol is the author of The Way of the Mother (Element Books). She has experience with writing children's picture books, a middle school novel and a young adult novel, and is currently finishing her memoir: Pondering the Heart. Carol is retired teacher, an interfaith minister and a spiritual mentor. She has taught writing to children and young adults, and has conducted adult writing circles and workshops at the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple since 2018.
