Online / zoom
Instructor: Marilyn McEntyre, PhD
This month: Metaphors writers use to describe their ways of working vary widely, and give us valuable insight into techniques. Faulkner thought of himself as a kind of “joiner” or carpenter. Cather is often likened to a painter and took inspiration for her craft from painters. We speak of some writers as weavers of tales. Some writers have described their work as “patchwork.” We’ll consider how these and other metaphors you invoke as you write may lead to different approaches and outcomes.
Series Description: These 90-minute workshops will address a different topic each month. Each session will include a brief presentation, prompts, a bit of writing and workshopping time, and suggestions for developing a particular writing practice. Handouts offer guides for cultivating new dimensions of your writing. We will talk about language, faith, form, and what a lively, committed writing life entails. All levels of writing experience are welcomed!
Registration Fee: General Tuition $25/ "Living Lightly" Supported Tuition $15
About Marilyn McEntyre: Dr. McEntyre, a longtime professor of literature and medical humanities, teaches for New College Berkeley and Westmont College, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary’s “Sacred Art of Writing” doctor of ministry program as well as the “Forest Dwelling” program at the Oblate School of Theology. She offers spiritual retreats and writing workshops and continues to write about spirituality, language, healthcare and earth care. She also works as a writing coach. Her recent books include When Poets Pray, Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict, and Midwinter Light: Meditations for the Long Season.
First Saturday Writing Workshops 2025-26 Overview: Join this series every month or occasionally, as you are able. Handouts and writing exercises are different for every interactive workshop. Register for each workshop individually here.
September 6, 2025: Playing with Prompts
October 4, 2025: More about Metaphor
November 1, 2025: "Occasional" Poetry and Prose
January 3, 2026: Gaps and Discontinuities
February 7, 2026: What Your Narrator Knows
March 7, 2026: Poetry As Practice
April 4, 2026: Literary Portraiture
May 2, 2026: Writing from Your Place and Time
June 6, 2026: Are You Building or Weaving?
August 1, 2026: Honest Hope and Healing Words