What happens in one of Nina’S workshops?
“It is an empowering experience to share our life stories. To write them down and especially to read them and be witnessed. Within a very short time, we discover not only our own unique writing style, but also that of the other participants. And somehow, the ten minute pieces we write from a single prompt is complete. It is done. It is kind of magical how that happens.”
How are Nina’s workshops structured?
“Nina’s groups are between six and eight participants. Although, her grief group is smaller due to the subject matter. We write by hand. Nina will give a prompt using one of the five senses. I remember one time we were handed a piece of sand paper to touch and her prompt was “his face…”. We wrote for ten minutes and then went around and shared. It was amazing to hear the variety of the other participants version of the same prompt.”
Who attends Nina’s workshops?
“Nina’s workshops have men and women of all ages - from teens to seniors. People who have never written to published writers. All are welcome!”
What is it like to be in one of Nina’s workshops?
“It is so clear that Nina is really listening. Her feedback is basically our own words. And everything we share is completely confidential. There is no judgment, which lends for freedom of expression as well as trust in each other. At some point in our series, we do a really fun collaborative poem called “Mining for Gold”. Nina also offers a Chapbook* at the end of every monthly series as well as a pot-luck dinner celebration - perhaps with a “comfort food” from our family story. Nina LOVES quotes. Each class begins with a handout and we go around reading it together. Nina will sometimes assign “homework”. This “homework” is something like “bring in a piece of jewelry that has a story or a photo of you when you were five years old”. Otherwise, everything happens right here and now. Nina is open and honest and freely shares some of her own life experiences. She doesn’t assume to have walked in anyone else’s shoes. She is clearly interested and values our unique stories with the utmost respect.
*Chapbook definition: a small paperback booklet, typically containing poems or fiction