Author Judith Lindbergh’s Path to Writing

Writers today explore both traditional and 21st century forms of expression, including blogs, memoirs, poetry, plays, short stories, imagined history, op-ed pieces, novels, graphic novels and  online, interactive fiction.

But the act of writing remains solitary. Writer, teacher, mentor and muse Judith Lindbergh addresses the need for writers to have a community of their fellows.

Lindbergh was immersed in her own writing when, in 2005, she began a writing workshop at the South Orange/Maplewood (SOMA) Adult School: "I started the Creative Writing Writer's Circles, in part, to combat my own isolation," Lindbergh said.

"I found other writers; fantastic writers with fascinating stories. Many became my friends. Many are still writing with me."

The program flourishes at the SOMA Adult School, where classes meet on Thursday evenings, beginning Sept. 23. At Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road, West Orange, children, young adult, and adult classes meet daytimes, evenings and weekends starting Sept. 13. 

Registration is open at both locations.

Both professional and aspiring writers are welcomed. They share both drafts and completed works. They offer one another feedback, encouragement and a forum where both structural problems, such as character development and personal issues, such as self doubt, can be discussed.

Lindbergh is a case study of how good writers are both born and made. As a child in Worchester, Mass., she received prizes for her poetry.

"I loved Emily Dickinson and also wrote short stories about little girls and ballerinas," Lindbergh said. "But dance was my first love. I would think to myself, 'I will write when I am old and I can't dance any longer."

Lindbergh came to New York City and was a freelance dancer, but knew she didn't have the sylph-like body type which ballet companies mandate.

She increasingly acted and wrote. "During acting workshops, I would write 20 page back stories for my characters," Lindbergh recalled.

Temp work paid the rent.

"During slow times at work, I started writing short stories. Then, one of the stories got bigger and more complicated," Lindbergh said. "I knew I had decided to become a writer, when auditions were being held by touring Shakespearean companies and I didn't want to leave town."

 That novel was never published. "I'm happy now that it wasn't published. It was my training on how to craft a novel. It was less good than I then thought," Lindbergh added.

But her second novel, "A Thrall's Tale," was given to an agent, published to rapturous reviews by Viking Press in 2006 and was a "Book Sense," independent booksellers' pick. It came out in paperback the following year. Lindbergh's third novel will be published in 2011.

Publication changed her life. "My husband and I had moved to West Orange when I became pregnant with my second child. I stopped commuting to my job in New York to write full time," Lindbergh said.

Last year, Lindbergh, in a sense, completed her circle. Her first-grade son inspired her to begin writer's circles for children: A story teller's circle for preschoolers, story magic for grades 3-5 and sessions for middle school and high school students.

"I would hear my children and their friends making up wonderful stories during playtime, then worry about writing according to a prescribed formula for school," Lindbergh said.

"Now, I call on all of my resources as a writer and former dancer and actor to help children put life into their writing. I want them to be inspired by what they love and to put their inspirations on paper."