Brookfield Writers Can Hone Their Craft at Westport Writers' Workshop

BROOKFIELD, CT—With the holiday season in full swing and New Year’s resolutions nipping at our heels, some may be turning their thoughts to those resolutions they’ve been putting off. While the most popular ones may seem unattainable at times—lose weight, eat healthy, save more—there are some that are a bit easier to grasp if given the proper tools. According to Brad Zomick of Go Skills, reading more and learning a new hobby are among the top 10 that some people will attempt in the coming year.

Here's where Westport Writers Workshop comes in. With a full plate of offerings for the beginning, aspiring, and/or advanced writer, there’s something for everyone. A unique class this session is taught by Amanda Parrish Morgan and geared toward parents. “The Pram in the Hall” debunks the myth that Cyrill Connolly once said, “there no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall.” This hybrid class sets out to prove the ways in which he’s wrong. Through a mix of reading, prompts and discussion, participants will “write when we can, how we can, and what we can with our children,” Morgan said.

“In as much as Connolly’s observation rings true, it’s about the ways in which new parents often feel cut off from creative communities, and for that reason students are welcome to join on zoom or in person, with or without young children.” The class meets online and/or in-person beginning on January 10 on six Tuesdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Click here to register.

Veteran instructor and former executive director of WWW, Liz Matthews, offers an introductory-level workshop intended for new students who want to write stories, essays, and poems in an encouraging and inclusive atmosphere. Using contemporary readings as a guide to the elements of craft, participants will create new material by responding to prompts and other generative exercises. Click here to register.

Christine Pakkala’s memoir class welcomes beginner and intermediate-level writers to focus upon the craft of writing about our own lives in either the personal essay or memoir form. Participants will explore the elements of storytelling that apply to fiction and memoir, as well as memoir’s unique role in making sense of life experience through reflection. All feedback is given in an encouraging atmosphere.

“Our aim is to create a community of writers who support one another by practicing deep listening, compassionate responses, and thoughtful feedback. We recognize that writing is a risky endeavor and that sharing what we write in a workshop setting requires courage. As a community, we support one another in that endeavor by offering rigorous support and a gentle critique,” Pakkala said.

A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop MFA, she was a Fulbright Scholar (1994) in Helsinki, Finland, where she translated modern Finnish poetry. Pakkala is working on a memoir and the first chapter of it will be published as an essay in The Seventh Wave, an arts and literary magazine this fall. Click here to register for her memoir class.

These are just several of the many nurturing instructors who aim to help students develop and create your story from start to finish while encouraging and empowering them to find their unique voice.

One student said of her writing journey so far with WWW, “This summer marked five years since my first WWW class. In that time, I started a memoir; realized my long-held dream of applying and getting into the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence; and in a twist even I didn’t see coming, I’m now writing and performing stand-up comedy. None of which would be possible without the guidance and encouragement of Christine Pakkala, Jen Sage-Robinson, and Julie Sarkissian (a veritable murderer’s row of creative genius), and all of the brilliant, beautiful fellow WWW writers with whom I’ve been lucky enough to sit around a table or share a Zoom grid.” – DN

The community has built itself upon fostering a nurturing, welcoming environment in which writers are invited to learn, grow, and share in a positive setting. The nonprofit celebrated their 20th anniversary last fall and recently hired a new executive director, Blake Schnirring, a Westport resident and former member of the WWW Board of Directors and who served as Treasurer and Chairman of the Board. Schnirring said of the recent appointment, "I'm thrilled to be involved with Westport Writers' Workshop. I believe this is a place for everyone, as everyone is a writer."

Classes are held online and in person at their new location, 25 Sylvan Road South, Suite J, Westport, CT. For more information, to see a full list of in-person and online classes and workshops, and to register, visit Westporwriters.org.

About Westport Writers Workshop: Since 2003, the Westport Writers’ Workshop has been offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published! Our instructors offer friendly, supportive writing workshops designed to encourage, inspire, and spark your imagination. With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, we welcome writers of all skill levels and genres. Our workshops are designed to suit your schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. We also host several Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs throughout the year. You can learn more about our workshops by visiting our WORKSHOP page.

Our Philosophy: You can expect a supportive group led by an experienced instructor. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. Writing begets writing. The more you commit to your writing, to showing up for your writing group, the more you will write. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer and influence others to refine their craft. Our philosophy and practices are inspired by Amherst Writers & Artists and Pat Schneider’s book, Writing Alone and With Others.

Our Mission: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities.

Westport Writers’ Workshop is located at 25 Sylvan Road South, Suite J, Westport, CT.