Developing a Daily Writing Practice
Four Wednesdays, March 13 through April 3, 6:00-7:30pm
Eli’s Room at 33 Hawley
Cost: $100-$175 sliding scale*
Facilitated by Chaya Grossberg
This class is a continuation of the January session and is open to new students! Developing a Daily Writing Practice frames writing as a form of healing and reclaiming the voice, and will help students develop or recommit to a regular writing practice. In this workshop, students will write together, share writing, give encouragement, and buddy up for accountability in forming or continuing our daily writing practices. Sharing is optional and all feedback will be non-critical — either neutral or positive. Each piece will be addressed as fiction unless the author requests otherwise. Guidelines will be explained and agreed upon at the beginning of the course.
This class is for writers and anyone else with artistic ambitions who want to commit to a daily writing practice. All participants will find this class helpful in developing a writing practice that supports other artistic pursuits. For those who are artistic writers, the class will support them in writing fiction, poetry, prose, or other forms. At each of the four sessions students will have an opportunity to check in with the group about their daily writing practice and address any obstacles or blockages. Our group will cheer you on and hold you accountable! Our goal will be to write 6-7 days a week, even if only for 5 minutes.
This workshop requests and suggests writing with pen and paper both in the workshops and in your daily writing as a means of focusing and limiting distractions, as well as taking some screen free time that many of us could use these days. Screens will be allowed if needed for a disability or accommodation.
For questions or to register, please email programs@nohoarts.org. If registering, please include your full name, mailing address, and phone number. Payment may be made in advance via PayPal here or by check to “NCFA” mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, PO Box 366, Northampton MA 01061.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our ongoing commitment to accessibility and sliding scale models. If financial assistance is needed, participants may apply for Community Fund support.
Chaya Grossberg has been writing poetry, stories, and non-fiction since she was a child and has been actively blogging for over a decade. She has facilitated creative writing groups and workshops for over 20 years for teenagers and adults, for writers, aspiring writers at various levels, and for trauma survivors and those seeking healing. She has published poetry books, a memoir, and other writings and led writing groups, classes and open mics, from coast to coast, including NYC, SF and here in Western Mass. Chaya has been writing daily for 25 years.
Possible benefits of daily writing:
Extends life span
Improves memory
Increases creativity
Enhances immunity
Improves your writing
Improves productivity
Keeps your mind flexible
Lowers anxiety and stress
Gives a safe space for reflection
Improves ability to think for oneself
Increases a sense of personal agency
Strengthens connection with your muse
Increases self confidence and self esteem
Exercises your brain and makes you smarter
Improves listening and communication skills
Facilitates making desired changes in your life
Helps you get in touch with your body and feelings
Gives you a facelift: your face releases tension and looks brighter
Helps you become someone who manifests their creative ideas rather than just talking about them