PATCHWORK FARM - WRITING METHOD Its sort of a secret, so you might want to write this one down.... ssssshhhhhhhhh!!!
OUR METHOD
Patricia Lee Lewis bases her workshops and retreats on the writing method developed by Pat Schneider, founder/director of Amherst Writers & Artists, with whom she studied for many years. Click here to read Patricia's story "How I Came to Lead Writing Workshops and Changed My Life." While Patricia has developed many of her own techniques, she found guidance and inspiration from Pat Schneider who describes The AWA method in; Writing Alone and with Others (Oxford University Press, 2003). The book and a companion DVD are available by request, in bookstores and on www.Amazon.com.
In Patricia's writing circles, beginning and experienced writers find a supportive, encouraging context from which to write from their deepest selves. Participants write in response to exercises Patricia offers; they are invited to read their work aloud. Group members affirm what they like and what stays with them.
In all of her retreats and workshops, Patricia encourages the use of certain guidelines in responding to new writing. New writing which has not been edited is like a new baby: it’s vulnerable and easily damaged by negative judgements. To maintain a safe, confidential, sacred space in which to write, we:
1) honor the writer by listening carefully
2) treat everything as fiction
3) refer to the narrator/speaker, not to the author, as the voice of the piece
4 ) remember this is not a therapy group
5 ) are free to do what we want and are free to accept or reject the exercises that are offered
6 ) are invited to read respond only with what we like, what stays with us, what moves us—not with how to make it stronger
7 ) stick to the writing, avoiding our own anecdotes and asides.
Using this gentle but rigorous approach, Patricia offers one and two day weekend retreats at Patchwork Farm, week long retreats internationally, and 3 or 4 day retreats in Texas & the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, and a year-long manuscript critique program.
For more information or to register for a Patchwork Farm event, please email Patricia and tell us how you heard about Patchwork Farm!
