D03. Faith and the Practice of Writing

This class is now filled.

Nora Gallagher, Preacher-in-residence at Trinity Episcopal Church in Santa Barbara and author of the best-selling memoir Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith
1:30-4:00 PM, June 8-12
$325

When you sit down to write, do you find yourself either unable to put words on
paper or so terrified of your inner critic that once the words are written down, you hate them?   When you write a sermon, do you find yourself slipping into religious clichés rather than setting down what you actually want to say?  This is a five-day, intensive writing workshop in which we will throw out much of what you may have learned about writing (outlines, transition sentences, the three-point essay) in order to begin to write clearly and honestly. The approach is based on associative thinking: One thought follows from the next, as they are set on paper. Understanding builds up as you do it. The material itself, like the experience of faith, begins to teach you what you want to say. The course includes a brief daily lecture, writing exercises, the sharing of work and confidentiality.  Nora Gallagher is the author of four books including Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith. Her recent novel, Changing Light, received outstanding reviews in many publications including the New York Times Book Review. About her, the San Francisco Chronicle wrote: “Like Kathleen Norris, Gallagher is renewing the language of ultimate concerns.”

Book List

Syllabus (pdf)

Questions? Call 203-432-9526

Last updated: June 2, 2009