March 29 – April 1, 2023
A workshop for writers in GTO
Two common challenges face seasoned writers: how to write more powerfully and how to approach what we’ve been unable to write. Seasoned writers need to hone our craft differently than we’ve done in the past, and to break out of ruts. In this writing-intensive workshop, we will explore both challenges. Participants can use current work, or allow new writing to emerge. The final event is an evening of spoken word, with a catered dinner and open mic, giving our work its debut in the larger community.
This is a 2½ day non-residential workshop for those who write fiction, non-fiction, memoir and/or poetry. All activities will take place at the Florecer Casitas. Each full day includes lunch, and the final evening’s open mic will be preceded by a buffet dinner. It is designed for those who live in and around Guanajuato, who may be looking to deepen connections within the creative community of Guanajuato.
Workshop themes:
Day 1: Tightening and refining – The power of saying less
This workshop offers playful, creative opportunities to experiment with saying more through the paradox of fewer words. We will explore ways to use more evocative language, identify the message, hone our writer’s voice, craft a unique conversation between author and reader, and experiment with techniques to pare down until we reach the visceral sensation that we have said exactly what we meant to say.
Day 2: Writing what we’ve been afraid to write
Many of us have a sense that we shy away from certain topics, messages, voices, styles, and/or language. Sometimes we’ve told parts of something important to us, but we’ve held back, leaving other parts of our story, our truth, unwritten or unfinished. We may sense we are protecting others or ourselves. By leaning into “risky” topics, we will evoke the myriad feelings of dancing (on the page) as if no one were watching.
About Bonnie:
Bonnie is a writer, photographer and psychologist based in Seattle, WA, USA. Her poetry, essays and photography explore what lies below the surface of everyday moments. Published work: Penumbra, Poetica Magazine, New Note Poetry, The Good Life, Kansas City Voices, Drash; Northwest Mosaic, 56 Days of August, (Re) An Ideas Journal and La Presa. She has been a featured reader in the greater Seattle area, at Easy Speak Seattle, Rainier Valley Lit Crawl, PoetryBridge, and Duvall Poetry. She has participated in international poetry readings in Guanajuato, MX and Seville, SP and is the host of the 2021 and upcoming 2023 residential Guanajuato Writing Retreat.
Her first book of poetry, Dreaming in Cantera/Sueños en Cantera will be released in February, 2023 (WordTech Editions). It’s a bilingual collection of poems written and inspired by her sabbatical year living in GTO.
Location:
Florecer Casitas, Calzada de Guadalupe 641, Las Huertas, Guanajuato, MX 36015
Please contact Liz Mapelli/Florecer Casitas if you’re interested in overnight lodging.
Guanajuato Writing Retreat 