Writing in the Dark: Survival Strategies for Uncertain Times

Originally Published April 21st, 2020

Dear Writers,

The world was quite different when last I wrote. I hope this message finds you as well and as safe as possible as we navigate these uncharted waters. I am grateful for your presence, however near or far, in my life, and grateful for the literary and arts and yoga communities. Thank you.

As many of you know, I spent the earliest weeks of the pandemic, as it emerged in the United States as a serious threat, postponing several writing retreats and workshops that were—way, way, way back at the beginning of March, which now seems a lifetime ago—poised to happen over spring and summer. By the time that business was as tended to as possible, everything had changed yet again, so that even fall workshops and retreats seem unlikely, at best.

Meanwhile, it remains difficult just to muster the energy and openness to create during this time when everything trembles. For this reason, I am offering a gentle remote writing workshop—Writing in the Dark: Survival Strategies for Creating During Uncertain Times. I’m offering two separate sections of this 6-week salon-style course, and we still have about three openings in both the Wednesday and Thursday night groups.

I created this generative, no-pressure workshop to provide what I myself most crave right now, which is an open, inspiring space in which to let creative energy back in, even if just a little, during this weird, paralyzing moment. This guided workshop will facilitate opportunities to create with no expectation. This is about allowing, if possible, a soft surrender to creative energy and flow. Our aim is to approach the page like an open door, and be open to whatever we find there. Plus, to play with prompts that unlock new ideas and scatter interesting words and images loosely upon the page for our further consideration. This workshop is a celebration of what language can do, or at least, might do, even or especially when we most doubt it.

Writing in the Dark: Survival Strategies for Creating During Uncertain Times is offered at regular Elephant Rock tuition but also offers full scholarship for teaching assistants and a sliding fee scale down to zero for anyone who needs it, no questions asked. In other words, if you can afford to pay, please do. Your tuition keeps Elephant Rock viable until workshops and retreats are possible again. But only pay what you can actually afford with no hardship. This is clearly spelled out on the website. This workshop is meant to be completely accessible to all. If both sections fill and not everyone who wants a spot gets one, it will be offered again. If you read the webpage and still have questions, just let me know. This is a new, situation-specific offering and is being shaped as we speak. I hope to write with you.

Meanwhile, please take good care.

With love,

Jeannine