Creative Journeys Writing Workshops

Gail Balden's classes at The Center for Contempletive Arts:

These one-day writing workshops are designed for those who write or want to, who have stories to tell or want to explore writing as a tool for self-discovery. Open to men and women, class size is limited to small groups. No previous writing experience is necessary. Participants should bring a journal or notebook and a favorite pen.

February 20

Jumpstart Your Writing

Begin or begin again in 2010. A new year, a new page-gear up with writing goals and the essential tools of the writing life. Get inspired and develop techniques to bring your stories to the page.

March 20

An Essay in the Making

Whether a personal essay written with humor from the trivia of life or an opinion essay on a strongly held opinion, the essay is a form that helps all of us understand life and find a new way of looking at the world.

April 24

Basics of Memoir

Everyone has a story to tell. Learn how to put your experiences on the page using fiction techniques, the building blocks of narrative nonfiction. Find the courage to tell the tale as only you can.

May 15

Travel Writing & the Natural World

Whether you want to deepen your experience of the natural world by capturing it on the page, or write engaging travel essays, this workshop will help you share the discovery and experience of place.

July 17

Journal Writing:
A Bridge Between Inner and Outer Worlds.

Daily life calls to you from every direction. Capture it on the page and begin to think and live like a writer who listens, pays attention, and is alive in the world.

August 14

The Craft of Writing.

Where to get ideas, what to put in your writing toolbox, how to get started and keep going-plus the basics of any good writing-dialogue, scenes, character, detail. We'll cover it all in this workshop on developing a writing life.

September 18

The Healing Power of the Written Word.

Writing can heal and transform your life. Whether you're trying to heal from loss, struggling with fear, or just need to reconnect with your own resilience, this workshop can help by showing you how to use writing as a healing balm.

October 16

Creating an Illustrated Journal &
Discovering Book Arts.

Create your own unique illustrated journal by incorporating newly acquired writing skills with visuals from nature, photos, drawings or collage Come away with your own "limited first edition" book. An opportunity to learn to create several types of "books" will be available. (A team teaching workshop with book arts instructor Carole Huelsberg). Requires a small materials fee.

November 20

Rewrite, Revise, Rewind. Now what?

We explore the final stages of getting your work into the world and where to start. It's not always what you think. A look at the options and step-by-step guide for getting your work in print.

Each class meets from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and costs $60. A minimum deposit of $30 is required for each workshop to reserve a space. Workshops take place at the Center for Contemplative Arts*, Underhill Plaza at Manzanita Avenue & Division Street in Manzanita.

To register, contact Gail at 503-368-7807 or send deposit to reserve a space to Gail Balden, 41500 Anderson Road, Nehalem, Oregon 97131. Early enrollment is advised, as seating is limited.

For purchasing books referred to you by Gail Balden's Creative Journeys Workshops, visit the Links & Accommodations page.