Workshops - Ellen Blum Barish

PRIVATE WORKSHOPS

FALL 2018

“Reading and Writing the Personal Essay”

If you have been wanting to get moving on that essay collection or memoir draft – and you enjoy working in a writing circle – there is a seat in my living room just for you. This workshop combines the benefits of sharing your work in a circle of writers who can provide you with thoughtful feedback as you work individually at your own pace. Each writer sets a goal for the workshop and commits to finishing by workshop’s end. As your facilitator, I keep us inspired and on track and provide each writer with one-to-one manuscript reviews. Previous workshop experience required. This is a three-month commitment. To learn more about this workshop and if it’s a good fit for your goals, email me at ellen@ellenblumbarish.com.

Private workshop in my home in Skokie. 8 sessions. Wednesday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. September 25/26 through November 13/14. $275 if you register by August 31. $300 after September 1st.

“Writing for Personal Discovery: Making Art from Life”

We are drawn to stories from real life not only for entertainment, healing or legacy but also for personal discovery. Writing, shaping, telling and listening to these stories is an invitation to make meaning from our lives. What can we learn from the essayists, memoirists and storytellers about the power of creating personal narratives? In this one-night, sneak-peek workshop, we will read short selections from published essays and memoirs and discuss how these reflect the writer’s life. This introductory and four-week workshop will provide inspiration for beginning and returning writers.

Ice House Gallery Evan ston, One Night Sneak Peak, Monday, October 15th, 6:15-8:15 pm; $35

Ice House Gallery Evanston, Four Week Workshop, Mondays, November 5 – 26, 6:15 – 8:15 pm; $104

“Writing Wrongs”

Without expression, humans can remain in moral isolation. The articulation of forgiveness and confession is healing. Using published sections of personal essays and memoirs, we will explore elements of confession, forgiveness and meaning-making around wrongs done to us and wrongs we may have done to others. We will reflect on purposeful and accidental wrongs, wrongs to the individual and wrongs between communities and discuss how these expressions can, indeed, “right” those wrongs.

Saturday, November 10, 1 – 4 pm at the CG Jung Center, 817 Dempster Street, Evanston. $50.

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

Looking for a lively speaker with engaging content on writing to present at your next event? Let’s talk about ways I can inspire your audience to write from their lives, whether it’s getting started, keeping it going or knowing when the work is done.

I have presented interactive presentations, workshops and courses at Northwestern University, North Park University, Dominican Universities, Columbia College Chicago, Elmhurst College and Oakton Community College and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

I have also facilitated workshops presentations at Story Studio Chicago, Off Campus Writers Workshop, Ragdale, Lighthouse Writers Studio, The Women’s Exchange, Writers Workspace, New Trier Extension, Skokie Public Library and Beth Emet The Free Synagogue.

Topics have included:

“Writing for Personal Discovery: Making Art from Life”

“The Power of Personal Narrative”

“Identifying Your Writer’s Voice”

“Reading and Writing the Personal Essay”

“Writing What Matters Most”

“So That Your Values Live On: Writing Your Ethical Will”

“Writing the Spiritual Essay”

“Writing Family Secrets”

I am also happy to customize a presentation for your group’s unique interests. Email me at ellen@ellenblumbarish.com so that we can schedule a time to talk about it!

PRIVATE COACHING

Want to learn more about how you can benefit from one-to-one writing coaching? See the Coaching page of this site or email me at ellen@ellenblumbarish.com.

PAST PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS & READINGS

Winter Writing Workshop in the Woods, Glencoe

Saturday, January 14, 2017