Writing Classes

Lake George Through the Senses with Georgia O’Keeffe
July 12th, 2023
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Instructor: Johannah Spero

In this fun, interactive workshop, we will focus on imagery as a literary device, taking inspiration from majestic Lake George—in person and as seen in Georgia O’Keeffe’s artwork. From journaling to guided meditation to exploration of the outdoors, participants will transpose their interaction with nature into sensory descriptions—which will become lines of poetry. The workshop will culminate in an individual and group poem to memorialize Lake George, as O’Keeffe has done in the canon of American art.

With a BA in English literature from UMass Amherst and a Masters in Teaching from Simmons College, Johannah Davies Spero was a high school English teacher for over a decade before becoming a full-time writer—and is the author of 6 award-winning novels under the name JD Spero. Still, when given the opportunity to teach, she enjoys connecting with new writers, young and old. She has done author visits in school classrooms across the Northeast and has
taught writing workshops locally at Wiawaka, the Hyde Collection, and Chingachgook’s Women’s Retreat and, most notably, following the footsteps of Stephen King at Exeter High in New Hampshire. After living in the Boston area for over twenty years, she returned to her hometown of Lake George to raise her three sons—although her family will always root for Boston sports teams.

Cost of the workshop is $35
Cost for workshop and day pass $45
Click here to register

Writing Workshop with Bernice Mennis
July 26th, 2023
1:00pm – 4:00 pm

The poet William Stafford said that following the threads of our own mind would lead us to the holyland. The definition of “holyland” is open and wide, deep and unknown. In this workshop we will follow our pen and heart to discover where we are led.

Bernice has lived in the Adirondack woodlands for over 42 years, the bounty and beauty of nature continually nourishing her with its bounty, diversity and beauty. Bernice Mennis taught literature and writing at Vermont’s Adult Degree Program and at Great Meadows prison. She wrote Breaking Out of Prison:a guide to consciousness,compassion and freedom, about her experience at Great Meadows and the rich writing of the men she taught, and Holding it All, a book of poetry exploring the challenge of holding what is complex and layered in our lives.

Cost of the workshop is $20
Cost for workshop and day pass $30
Click here to register

Journal Writing as a Tool for Self-Discovery and Manifesting Your Best Life
July 31st, 2023
9:30am – 3:30 pm
Instructor: Lynn Sickles

Do you wish you would set aside a whole day to write in your journal but find that you never do it for one reason or another? Here is your chance to spend the day with your journal and like-minded women in a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake George.

During this day-long retreat we will discuss the importance of journal writing and how it can help us navigate the twists and turns on our life journey. We will spend most of our time together writing and some sharing of our thoughts about the process. Different journal writing techniques will be used and prompts provided. Writing times for each prompt will vary from as little as 3 minutes to 20 plus minutes.

Morning session: 9:30-11:30
Lunch break: 11:30-1:30
Afternoon session: 1:30-3:30

Bring your journal and favorite pens. This will be thought-provoking and fun workshop. I look forward to writing with fellow journal writers.
New and experienced journal writers are welcome to attend.

Instructors Bio: Lynn is a certified life coach and holistic health and
wellness coach, owner of Lynn Sickles Coaching. She is also an experienced journal writer and workshop facilitator. She strongly believes in self-care and having a healthy lifestyle as key ingredients on our path to overall
wellness and to living a healthy, happy, peaceful and balanced life. She regularly presents workshops at Wiawaka, has been a presenter at area employee wellness programs, is on the faculty at Saratoga Continuing Education and has had a monthly journal writing circle in the Glens Falls/Saratoga area. She is a member of the International Association for Journal Writers and incorporates journal writing in all her programs.

Cost:$35 for the workshop and day pass
Lunch can be purchased separately

Click here to register

The Language of Wonder
August 8th, 2023
10:00am – 12:00 pm

Nothing conveys possibility and wonder like the beings that grow in the forest. We’ll explore a poem or two and a bit of science celebrating the amazing lives and language of trees, and find our way to the ideas and images that most speak to us. We’ll wander in Wiawaka’s hemlock and pine forest, where you’ll be guided into what images, scents, and sounds carry genuine promise and power for you. We’ll use poetry and forest prompts to help you turn your images into your own written expression of wonder. No experience with poetry needed. Bring a pen and small notebook!

Susan Jefts, M.S. is a poet from Diamond Point, NY. She works as an editor of manuscripts and writes a poetry column for various Vermont newspapers. She worked for twenty-seven years as a college advisor and instructor of poetry and writing, and has run workshops for many years in settings such as wellness retreats, libraries, museums and now in nature where she uses poetry with people to deepen our connections to the natural world and to what we find sacred. Her poetry has been published in numerous journals both nationally and locally and she has recently published her first full-length book of poetry, Breathing Lessons, due out summer of 2023 from Shanti Arts Press.

Cost of the workshop is $15
Cost for workshop and day pass $25
Click here to register

Sharp Ideas in Short Forms
August 14th, 2023
9:00am – 12:00 pm

A Poetry Workshop of Personal Expression. Women are too often encouraged
to soften our voices, shush our laughter, tone down our opinions, and defer our desires. This workshop will invite you to do the exact opposite. You will learn three short poetic forms into which you can pour clearly voiced opinions, humor, demands and pleasures. The workshop will include instruction, time to write and opportunities to share in a safe and appreciative space.

Rhonda Rosenheck imbues her poetry with narrative, visual and musical elements and, often, humor. Publications include: Tongue Twisters for Terrible People (as Bud Rose); The Five Books of Limericks; Sin No More! A Biblical Sea Shanty; Looking: Out, Up, In & Under Rocks; Yiddische Yoga: OYsanas for Every Generation. Her poems appear in journals and anthologies. Juried residencies include Rockvale Writers Colony and Fish Factory Art Centre (Iceland). Her poem Makerspace was performed at Cooperstown’s Glimmer Globe Theater. Rhonda lives outside Albany, NY, where she volunteers in arts and human-service nonprofits, gardens and runs The Poets Perch, a writers’ studio.

Cost of the workshop is $20
Cost for workshop and day pass $30
Click here to register

Writing Workshop with Bernice Mennis
August 16th, 2023
1:00pm – 4:00 pm

Bernice has lived in the Adirondack woodlands for over 42 years, the bounty and beauty of nature continually nourishing her with its bounty, diversity and beauty. Bernice Mennis taught literature and writing at Vermont’s Adult Degree Program and at Great Meadows prison. She wrote Breaking Out of Prison :a guide to consciousness, compassion and freedom, about her experience at Great Meadows and the rich writing of the men she taught, and Holding it All, a book of poetry exploring the challenge of holding what is complex and layered in our lives.

Cost of the workshop is $20
Cost for workshop and day pass $30
Click here to register

Journaling as Brainstorming, with Jane Austen
August 18th, 2023
10:00am – 12:00pm
Instructor: Johannah Spero

In this thoughtful, introspective workshop, we will explore the technique of journaling as a way of jump-starting the creative process, taking inspiration from Jane Austen, author of the classic Pride and Prejudice. Using various quotes from Jane Austen novels, participants will choose one or two to use as a basis for free-writing. From this popular and cathartic technique, we will
explore ways—through one-on-one guidance and peer reviews—to turn an unstructured journal entry into a cohesive art form—be it a poem or flash fiction story or personal essay.

Cost of the workshop is $35
Cost for workshop and day pass $45
Click here to register

Writing Workshop with Liza Frenette
August 25th, 2023
10:00am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Liza Frenette

Have you had enough screen time? Come write by hand in journals or notebooks; come discover stories within as you take a day for yourself to sit in a rustic building on the lake and write.
Writing instructor Liza Frenette, an author, journalist, poet and essayist, will lead writing sessions using word prompts and positive response. This isn’t a “how-to” workshop – it is a “go within” workshop. There is no need to have a work in progress; all material generated will be new.
We will be listening to poems and short pieces, and then doing spontaneous writing based on prompts, followed by positive recall. Optional shared reading will take place at the end of the day.
We will be writing on small, silly, and serious topics ranging from nature, witnessing, a labyrinth walk, what’s in a name, life in a pandemic, or persona reflection.
It is about being present, noticing life, and finding your voice, whether that be for yourself, for stories to pass on to family, or for publication. The workshop will open pathways to that voice. The day will include time outside to walk the labyrinth or sit along the lake and write, as well as time for lunch.

Cost of the workshop is $45
Cost for workshop and day pass $55 (meals can be purchased separately)
Click here to register