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Workshops

Creative Writing Workshop Facilitator

Creative Writing Workshop

Workshops are often themed. Examples of themes: empowering leadership, soul exploration, mindful words, women's empowerment, talking climate. Sometimes I assign an optional reading to help inspire participants. Workshops begin with a writing prompt or visual cue often tied…

Active Listening Communication Skills Practice Creative Activity Creative Writing Feedback / Difficult Conversations Group Activity
Duration 60–180 min
Group Size 3–10

Workshop

Description

Workshops are often themed. Examples of themes: empowering leadership, soul exploration, mindful words, women's empowerment, talking climate. Sometimes I assign an optional reading to help inspire participants.

Workshops begin with a writing prompt or visual cue often tied to the theme of the workshop. Participants write (essay, poetry, fiction, journal... any genre their pen chooses) for an unspecified amount of time until I give a gentle "1-minute" cue before asking all to stop writing. I all write with participants. There is no hierarchy in workshops.

Next, each participant (including me) shares their work and receives feedback. The writing is treated as a new life form, not worthy of negative criticism because it hasn't been edited. All feedback focuses on what is strong in the new work. This gives participants the freedom to explore without ego and criticism. Writing and characters in the writing work are discussed only as fiction in order to preserve the anonymity of participants. Participants are asked to listen carefully and identify strengths in word choice, sensory details, tone, rhythm, character, flow, and story arcs. At the end of the workshop, there is often a noticeable strengthening in participants' creative writing and energy.

Benefits

  • Build confidence and communication skills
  • Improve listening and feedback skills
  • Gain clarity of thought
  • Find creative flow
  • Build a creative community
  • Improve the ability to open the mind and to relate to others
  • Gain powerful and positive insight about the self

Hosted by Amy Challenger

About the Host

I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to join your culturist program, as it aligns with programs I've offered for over 13 years in Switzerland, the U.S., and throughout Europe. I have offered my creative writing workshops both in person and online, centered on the Amherst Writers and Artists' Method. This method treats every workshop participant as a valuable creator, regardless of background, confidence level, or experience. The New York Writers' Coalition trained me to lead these workshops after I attended them for years and found them transformative. My workshops employ creative writing practices (generative writing with prompts) to achieve the following for participants: 1) Build creative confidence, 2) Identify individual strengths and unique voice, 3) Create bonds with other participants, 4) Fine-tune listening skills, 5) Improve communication skills, 6) Develop writing skills, 7) Energize! Here is a link to more information about the workshops: https://www.amyaveschallenger.com/workshops As a writer and painter, I have been considering offering the same workshop model, using painting exploration. My workshops are for writers and artists of all levels and are perfect for corporate retreats, community building, vacation exploration, and meditation retreats. Participants describe them as wonderfully therapeutic. In addition to my workshops, I work as a freelance illustrator, writer, and fine artist, having raised three children in Switzerland. Thank you for considering my interest in your wonderful program!

Travel Locations

London (+€300– I have lodging in London), Paris (+€500 if overnight required), Munich (+€500 if overnight required), Milan (€+150, additional if overnight required), Geneva (€+60), Zurich (+€30), Zug (free), Lucerne, (free), Brussels, (+€500 if overnight required)

Focus Areas

Creative/CultureWell-being/HealthDevelopment/Coaching

Location

Switzerland

Languages

English

Corporate Experience

Moderate

Certifications & Credentials

BFA, Syracuse University, Communications Design, Training to lead workshops by the NY Writers Coalition.

Session Types Offered

Interactive (eg. improv, group-art, yoga etc.)

Past Experience Doing Sessions

Yes - Interactive

Client Requirements

I only require note pads and pens for all participants. If I were to offer these workshops in painting, I would require painting supplies.

Past Clients

No, I have always offered these workshops on my own but have had corporate participants.

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