Planning Summer Writing Projects: Prioritizing Purpose over Productivity

Description

Planning Summer Writing Projects: Prioritizing Purpose over Productivity

• What writing feels especially urgent at this time—personally and collectively?
• What writing are you longing to bring forth or to dedicate time and energy toward?
• How can you make writing a priority this summer without falling into self-doubt, writer’s block, overwhelm, productivity pressures, or other things that derail writing?

These questions will drive this interactive workshop that involves identifying and using “the strong yes” to prioritize summer writing projects.

As we enter summer, there’s potential for prioritizing writing, but how? How do we prioritize what matters to us—the projects with real purpose—rather than falling into writing for the sake of writing, or productivity mode?

Together, we’ll use contemplative, body-based practices for grounding and guiding the planning process. After practicing five methods for finding the strong yes, we’ll apply those methods through writing time. We’ll also consider our relationships with writing and what derails us as writers—making plans for how to regain our focus and energy whenever we struggle (as all writers do).

In total, we’ll spend this time feeling and thinking about what writing we’re called to do—and why. And we’ll make plans for summer projects, while responding to various pressures that weigh on our writing and ourselves as writers. 

When will the workshop be offered?

Choose from one of two sessions:

Friday, May 12th 11am-1pm ET (starting at 10am CT, 9am MT, 8am PT)
Wednesday, May 24th 1-3pm ET (starting at 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT)

Registration also includes participation in a one-day writing retreat. Review upcoming retreat dates (6 dates are open at a time), and reach out with the date you’d like to join.

After registering, you’ll also receive information about how to join via Zoom. Participants are encouraged to join with video because workshops are interactive experiences. We’ll be a small group, so expect to introduce yourself and talk about your work-in-progress.

Because there’s often vulnerability and intimacy involved in talking about writing, there will be no recordings. Thanks for holding space for your writing and for others’ writing as well.

How will the workshop be structured?

The workshop will move through the following segments with a break mid-way through the 2-hours:

1. Welcoming with Introductions and Grounding Practice
2. Asking What and Why Are We Called to Write
3. Using the “Strong Yes” to Guide Decision-Making
4. Breaking Patterns that Undercut and Derail Writing
5. Building Patterns that Inspire and Affirm Writing
6. Approaching Time Differently
7. Closing with Intention-Seeking

What is the cost?

Registration is offered on a sliding-scale basis, reflecting my commitments to accessibility and community care. It’s important both that I’m resourced to do this work and that no one is priced out of participating. Please pay what you can. If you are well-resourced, consider paying at the sustaining rate to keep this and other offerings open to anyone who finds them cost-prohibitive.

Read the following descriptions of registration options, consider which fits your circumstances, and reach out with any questions.

$0: Cost-prohibitive rate
Register for free if the cost is prohibitive for any reason.

$50: Discounted rate
Register at this discounted rate if full-price registration isn’t accessible for you.

$85: Full-price rate
Register at this full-price rate if your career is financially sustaining.

$120: Sustaining rate
Register at the sustaining rate if you’d like to support the sliding-scale registration model. The goal is for graduate students, adjunct faculty, and community writers to join offerings at free and discounted rates. You make this possible by paying a little extra.

$120: Institutional funding rate
Register at this institutional funding rate if you are using professional development funds. This rate is also for universities and organizations who are registering participants.

$350: Subscriber rate
In addition to the rates described above, there’s the option of becoming a subscriber and joining all writing retreat and workshops like this for a flat monthly rate, which also includes monthly coaching sessions and other benefits of becoming a subscriber. You can learn more about subscription options here. Again, reach out with any questions.

NOTE: Remember that registration includes a one-day writing retreat.

Would you like to support a colleague or loved one with their writing?
Gift cards for writing retreats can be applied to this workshop. They are available here.

Who will facilitate this workshop?

This program is offered by Beth Godbee, Ph.D., a public educator and writer with deep commitments to social, racial, and environmental justice.

Beth brings years of experience as a writer and writing teacher (previously tenured professor in composition, rhetoric, and literacy studies). Beth has both participated in and led writing groups and retreats (in-person and online) and has worked in writing centers, community literacy programs, and writing across the curriculum programs for many years.

What do others say?

“Beth is an incredible listener, a kind and yet incisive interlocutor, and the perfect person to hold space with you for something you hope to grow into existence.” —Eric Darnell Pritchard, Founding Director of the Community Literacies Collaboratory and Brown Chair in English Literacy, University of Arkansas 

“I would not be where I am today—feeling more aligned with my commitments, more whole, and more joyful—if it were not for my work with Beth and the community she has helped cultivate. I am grateful for the clarity and compassion she brings to our interactions and the way that she makes justice a practice for daily life. I feel deeply grateful for participating in the variety of options she provides to better live out commitments through writing, teaching, and daily living.” —Calley in Colorado

“Beth has been of tremendous help to my academic writing activities. I still remember the many hours we spent together fifteen years ago when Beth was a writing center consultant and I was an international student eagerly seeking help with English writing. Now I’m a professor and continuing to seek help from Beth because she offers warmth, empathy, constructive feedback, and space for sharing. I’m so lucky to have gotten to know Beth!” —Awa Zhu, University of Tennessee

“Beth’s work with Heart-Head-Hands has completely transformed my relationship to writing. I met Beth at the point where I was experiencing paralyzing writer’s block. Beth’s guidance, support, and caring helped ease my way back into writing. I’ve begun to love writing again.” —Kylie in New York

How can I learn more?

Contact Beth with any questions, concerns, or accessibility considerations.

Thanks!