Workshop to explore connections between writing and healing

The public is invited to participate in a workshop titled, “Explorations of Writing and Healing,” to be offered during the spring 2013 semester at ASU’s West campus.

The eight-session course is designed for writers working in any genre, including fiction, poetry, memoir and drama, and for anyone who loves to write and is interested in the connection between healing and creativity. It will be offered March 7 through April 25. The Wednesday sessions will run from 6 to 9 p.m.

“Explorations of Writing and Healing” is the first offering in the New College Community Writing Workshop Series. Workshops are presented by ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the core college on the West campus.

“There are many people in all walks of life who do important writing work given the opportunity,” said Michael Stancliff, associate professor of English and director of first-year composition in New College. “The Community Writing Series provides a framework for writers, a schedule to follow, peer readers to offer feedback, and expert advice from experienced writing instructors.”

Award-winning memoirist and teacher Renee Rivers will lead the class. Rivers will share her approach to writing as a means to self-discovery and creative well-being, and will provide participants with the opportunity to experiment with the healing properties of language.

“The term ‘writing’ means so many things to so many different people,” Stancliff said. “Our series will create unique writing opportunities not typically offered in schools and other continuing education programs. The Writing and Healing course is a great example of this, and we are extremely pleased to have a talented instructor like Renee Rivers teaching the course.”

The registration fee for Explorations of Writing and Healing is $250. For more information and to register, contact Mary.E.Bauer@asu.edu.