Description

Upcoming Writing Workshops

Sustaining a Writing Practice (And Even Building Momentum!) Throughout the School Year

The intensity of school years can crowd out many things, including the writing that matters most to us. Sometimes we’ve found a summer writing rhythm only to worry what will happen with the return of the school year. Other times, we’ve been far removed from the projects we hope to move forward, wondering “when will I ever be able to prioritize my writing?” Still other times, we are writing, but that writing comes in spurts and bursts, so we are constantly trying to build and sustain a regular writing practice. 

Sustaining a writing practice can be a challenge for many reasons. It’s easy to lose momentum on writing projects in the best of times, and the intensity of the school year only increases the challenges.

So, this fall, as we head back to school, this interactive workshop will hold space for reflection on what each of us needs as a writer. (The workshop is open for all writers—no need to be heading back into a classroom!) Together, we’ll use contemplative, body-based practices alongside wisdom from writing studies research to identify supportive writing practices and to make plans for the semesters ahead. We’ll consider:

1. our relationships both with writing and with school,
2. what conditions we’re writing within, in this season of life, and 
3. what future plans we can put into place to regain momentum whenever we struggle, as all writers do.

In total, this workshop will provide support for sustaining a writing practice—and even building momentum!—throughout the school year. We’ll aspire for a writing practice rooted in habits that care for our full selves and are built for this time of life.

When will the workshop be offered?

Friday, September 11th at 11am ET | 10am CT | 9am MT | 8am PT.
The workshop will run for 2 hours (11am-1pm ET).

Registration also includes participation in a one-day writing retreat. Review upcoming retreat dates (typically 5-6 dates are open at a time), and apply a credit for 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. Participants will receive a follow-up email with resources, so if you can’t make it, there will still be guidance.

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. Understanding Relationships with Writing, with School, and with the School Year
3. Identifying the Conditions We’re Writing Within, in This Season of Life
4. Building Habits to Sustain a Writing Practice
5. Planning How to Regain Momentum Whenever We Struggle
6. 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.

Down to $0: Cost-prohibitive rate
Low-cost or no-cost registration is available if the cost is prohibitive. If you cannot afford the discounted rate, reach out to inquire about a cost-prohibitive rate.

$30: Discounted rate
Register at a discounted rate if full-price registration isn’t accessible for you.

$65: Full-price rate
Register at this full-price rate if your career is financially sustaining.

$100: 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.

Up to $120: Sustaining rate
Increase your registration amount 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 discounted rates. You make this possible by paying a little extra.

EXTRA: Remember that registration includes a one-day writing retreat (an additional $140 value).

Would you like to support a colleague or loved one with their writing?
Gift cards for writing retreats 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 (more than two decades). Read more about Beth here.

What do others say?

“Today marks my first submission as a first author, and I have moved a lot of writing and other work forward with Beth’s support. Last week, I submitted a conference presentation, this week a journal article, and next week I’ll be finishing up a year 1 project report.  I often hear Beth’s calming and encouraging voice as I work, staving off the negative voice that tells me I’m moving too slow.” —Danica Jones, Ph.D., Founder, Principal, and Evaluator, DL Research Solutions

“I want to express my gratitude to our facilitators, Beth and Candace. I really appreciated how openly they shared their own writing struggles and the practical strategies they’ve picked up through their own writing careers … Learning alongside peers was incredibly valuable too. It was helpful to remind myself that I’m not alone in this.” —Postdoctoral Fellow and Researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center

“Beth listens deeply—beyond words—tuning into what’s happening in my mind, body, and being. Her reflections and the way she mirrors back are transformative and really help me make sense of the tangled thoughts and feelings that have been weighing me down about my career. Through her guidance, I’ve gained insights that have brought me professionally back to life, and with renewed energy and purpose. Beth is, without a doubt, the best coach I have ever worked with. Her support has been nothing short of life-changing, and I can’t recommend her highly enough.” —Terrance L. Green, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

“Heart-Head-Hands is integral to my personal growth and to living my commitments. I’ve turned here for many things, including writing groups, (re)commitment hours, and coaching. No matter the offering, I so appreciate the thoughtfulness and the research that Beth puts into each one. I especially love the resources she shares, as they allow me to learn and to explore many of my questions.” —Tenured Faculty Member in California

“I have really enjoyed working with Beth Godbee with our multi-year customized program CLASS Write. Faculty who have taken advantage of her workshops and retreats have loved them. I sing Beth’s praises to anyone considering her faculty development.” —Steven L. Cobb, Ph.D., Senior Divisional Dean of Communications, Media, and Performance, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), University of North Texas

How can I learn more?

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

Thanks!