Related Topics:
Certified Fear of Writing Clinic
Workshop Presenters
1. Listing of Qualified Presenters
2. How to Get Qualified for Training
To become certified to present this clinic, workshop presenters undergo special training and then take a 75-question test. Training is based on the Fear of Writing Philosophy and the writing workshop format that Milli has used for the clinic since 2001. Presenters use the Student Workbook so that each clinic follows the format.
More information below on how to qualify. The qualifications are not what you'd expect, so don't rule yourself out if you don't have a degree or specialized writing knowledge.
If you'd like to give feedback about a workshop presenter on this page, send your feedback to:
Please specify the name of the presenter in your email.
Page Contents
Certified Workshop Presenters
Milli Thornton, Texas
Dee Nielsen, Texas
How to Become a Fear of Writing Clinic Workshop Presenter
Certification: Get Qualified to Present the Fear of Writing Clinic in Your Local Area
The Fear of Writing Philosophy
“Become a Workshop Presenter” (e-book by Milli Thornton)
Find Out How to Attend the Writing Workshop
Description and schedule for the Fear of Writing Clinic
Milli Thornton
Fear of Writing Clinic Workshop Presenter
Milli is lead presenter for the Fear of Writing Clinic. In early Spring of 2001, she developed the clinic based on her book, Fear of Writing. In May 2005, she collated the workshop hand-outs into a Student Manual for use by students during the workshop. Read Milli's bio.
The exercises flexed my writing muscles. Milli comes up with the most imaginative ideas!
—Cindy Robison, Taos, New Mexico
See more testimonials for Milli's workshops
Return to Page Contents for "Certified Workshop Presenters"
Dee Nielsen
Certified Fear of Writing Clinic Workshop Presenter
Dee was the first person to pass through Milli's training and certification course for Fear of Writing Clinic Workshop Presenter. She passed the 75-question test with a grade of 92% and was awarded her certificate on December 9, 2005.
In Dee's own words:
“Fear of Writing has really unleashed my creative sparkle. In fact, I have so much sparkle I want to share it with others. So, after an intensive training session—followed by a stern test—I thankfully passed the Workshop Presenter’s course.
“I was honored to receive my certificate presented to me by Milli Thornton at the Fear of Writing Christmas Party. Being a Gemini, I dove in the deep end and immediately set up my first workshop. I must say the training served me well—the day went smoothly and was enjoyed by all.
“Still full of sparkle, I intend to hit 2006 with a bang. Beware, all you closet writers, for soon the Fear of Writing Workshop will be tickling your creative palate. Who knows what magic may unfold!”
---
Testimonials
I thoroughly enjoyed Dee's writing workshop. Dee has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and safe. I find Dee very inspiring and she helps me connect with my creative energies.
—Marilyn Agee, Bulverde, Texas
Return to Page Contents for "Certified Workshop Presenters"
Certification: Get Qualified to Present the
Fear of Writing Clinic in Your Local Area
December 2005 The first two writing workshop presenters to be officially certified are Deirdre Nielsen (certified 12/9/05) and Sandra Fleming (still in training). Both Dee and Sandy live in Milli's local area so the training was face-to-face. But, the next step (happening early in 2006), will be to make the certification training available via Internet and tele-seminars.
Certified Fear of Writing Clinic workshop presenters will be independent workshop leaders and you'll be free to schedule clinics at your own discretion. The income you make from each clinic will also be yours to keep. Your expenses will be low (providing you follow Milli's suggestions) and you'll have a format to follow. Each presenter will be required to use the Fear of Writing Clinic Student Workbook.
You do not need an MBA or any specialized writing knowledge to teach this clinic. Trainees will be chosen according to their ability to empathize with other writers, inspire them to write using the Fear of Writing method, and uphold the Fear of Writing Philosophy.
If you would like to be on the mailing list for certification, write to Milli Thornton:
Note from Milli: Please be specific about why you're writing; people often assume I can read their minds about which feature they've visited at my Website.
Return to Page Contents for "Certified Workshop Presenters"
The Fear of Writing Philosophy
(to be adhered to by Fear of Writing Clinic
Workshop Presenters and Online Course Presenters)
We are presenters rather than teachers. We’re here to assist the blossoming (or rediscovery) of writers’ imaginations, rather than “teach” people how to write. Every person has an inborn creativity and this is something that cannot be taught, only set free.
We are not here to be put on a pedestal by students or to encourage writers to view us as gurus. We acknowledge that guiding someone to the richness of his or her own imagination is a way to help empower that individual. By doing this work, we also empower ourselves.
We do not allow critiques in the workshop or the online course, for several reasons:
(1) We’re providing a safe space for writers to reveal their innermost fears and also share their writing in a non-competitive environment
(2) Workshop participants and online students are usually not qualified to give a professional critique that will improve the writing without crushing the author
(3) There are many opportunities out in the world for writers to join a critique group or hire a professional critique service; we have a format to follow and there is no need for us to be experts in the field of critiques.
We are never superior to anyone who risks revealing their innermost fear of writing (or fear of creativity in general). We understand and empathize, because we’ve visited those scary and tender places within ourselves.
The title of the workshop (Fear of Writing Clinic) and the course (The Fear of Writing Online Course: Your passport to fun!) implies healing. We assist that healing by encouraging participants to express their fears in an atmosphere of gentle (and also, where appropriate, humorous) acceptance—and by demonstrating to them, or reminding them, that writing can be fun.
We acknowledge that fear is a natural human emotion. We make it clear to participants (whether by our attitude or by making a statement if necessary) that we’re not here to help anyone “conquer” their fear. That's not our job. We’re here to help them incorporate all of their emotions and life experiences into their writing. The liberation of having fun, and the application of the writing prompts and other exercises over time will, instead, organically cause the fear to be less powerful.
Participants who need to express raw emotion during the workshop (such as crying) will be comforted if it feels appropriate but never rushed out of their feelings or shamed for showing their tears in front of the group. If the person needs alone time, we give them this space.
We are not responsible for ensuring that writers leave the workshop or course with a better knowledge of grammar, spelling, manuscript formatting or how to get published. Wherever appropriate, we will provide writers (after the workshop or course) with links to resources or books that can help them with their practical dilemmas. Our mission for the workshop and course is emotional healing, fun and laughter, and ensuring that the experience is filled with writing and sharing.
Return to Page Contents for "Certified Workshop Presenters"
“Become a Workshop Presenter”
by Milli Thornton
Includes 42 color illustrations
Winner (e-book category) at the 2004 DIY Festival
Just looking at the table of contents, I KNOW I will enjoy learning from this e-book. You’re a jewel, Milli!
—Sandy Fleming, Pipe Creek, Texas
Find your passion and teach it!
You don't have to wait for someone to ask you to teach what you know. Learn the baby steps to becoming a workshop presenter . . . you never know what it will lead to! There are many reasons for setting out on this adventure: including promoting a book or other product, overcoming shyness, career advancement, and just plain old-fashioned fun. You will be amazed at how many skills you'll learn—or rusty skills you will dig up—by getting up in front of people to talk about your passion. Written by a shy person who DIA (did it anyway).
E-book - 120 pages (no-scroll formatting) - 1.3 MB - $21.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
— THE REWARDS OF BEING A WORKSHOP PRESENTER
— WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WORKSHOP AND A LECTURE?
— YOU KNOW SOMETHING THAT OTHERS WANT TO LEARN
— NAMING YOUR WORKSHOP
— DEVELOPING A FORMAT FOR YOUR WORKSHOP
— HOW TO PRODUCE EYE-CATCHING AND EDUCATIONAL HANDOUTS
— HOW TO WRITE A PROPOSAL FOR ADULT EDUCATION VENUES
— ADULT EDUCATION VENUES THAT WILL GIVE A BEGINNER A CHANCE
— HOW TO ORGANIZE AN INDEPENDENT WORKSHOP
— GAIN EXPERIENCE AS A SPEAKER BEFORE YOUR WORKSHOP DEBUT
— HOW TO TEST YOUR WORKSHOP ON WILLING GUINEA PIGS
— SPREAD THE WORD (CHEAPLY!) ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP
— DESIGN AND PRODUCE A PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP BROCHURE
— YOUR MAILING LIST AND BROCHURE MAIL-OUTS
— MORE ABOUT PRESS RELEASES AND WHO TO SEND THEM TO
— TEACHER AND STUDENT, COME PREPARED
— DEVELOP A PRODUCT FOR "BACK OF THE ROOM SALES"
— TIPS FOR RUNNING A SMOOTH WORKSHOP
— INJECTING FUN INTO YOUR WORKSHOP FORMAT
— TESTIMONIALS WILL SELL YOUR WORKSHOP TO FUTURE PARTICIPANTS
— THE FUN OF LEARNING NEVER ENDS: INDEX OF RESOURCES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt from: BECOME A WORKSHOP PRESENTER
Copyright © 2003 Milli Thornton
From Chapter Two: “What's the Difference Between a Workshop and a Lecture?”
A WORKSHOP IS more about audience participation than is a seminar or lecture. For instance, say you're a pottery expert and you've pioneered a new method for glazing and firing. You may be asked to give a scholarly talk on your discovery to a group of university teachers. But a workshop where the same art teachers get to hear the inside secrets and try it out for themselves—with clay and glaze and kilns—may be a more satisfying approach.
Lectures are useful for large groups of people when it's more appropriate to do most or all of the talking yourself. For a lecture, you may stand behind a lectern in your business suit and use an overhead projector to illustrate your major points. A workshop is for smaller groups where participants can "get their hands dirty" and learn by doing, interspersed with mini-lectures from you . . . usually in less formal clothing and in a more relaxed setting.
Artist John Farnsworth of the Farnsworth Gallery teaches the Watercolor Equus for Taos Art School. This four-day class teaches the watercolorist to "capture the spirit of the horse both in motion and in repose." John also teaches a method using only the primary colors—red, yellow, and blue pigment—to simplify the palette by mixing the desired colors and shades in lieu of buying endless tubes of paint. John teaches the Watercolor Equus in a barn with a live horse. Students watch the animal in motion as they paint the horse in its different moods.
Is John teaching a seminar or a workshop? Does the terminology even matter? I think it does. The word "workshop" should conjure images of play or involvement with the workshop material.
One definition of seminar is a group of advanced students working under a teacher in a specific subject of study. So, when teaching workshops for the general public, it's probably best to leave the seminar structure to university professors and design material that's not too narrow or specialized. Especially when first starting out, your workshop format should be accessible to beginners. Farnsworth's teaching style embraces a range of talents: from those just beginning to dabble in watercolor to those who've grown frustrated after becoming entrenched in a certain method or habit using watercolors.
A lecture may last for only an hour or two, whereas workshops can last for half a day to a weekend—and sometimes even a week. You'll get a feeling for how long yours should be once you've followed the steps laid out in this workshop tutorial.
As a workshop presenter, you can concentrate on being less of a talking head and more of a demonstrator. Develop plenty of exercises for your students, supply them with the materials they'll need to try it themselves, demonstrate how to do it, and then give them some space—a no-talk zone—and let them get their feet wet.
If your style really lends itself to more of a seminar or lecture format, you can still use many of the principles in this e-book to help you develop and promote your class. There's nothing inferior or superior about either style; it's simply a matter of what works best within your time restraints and with the learning materials, if any.
Phil Jones is an Australian musician who tours the USA presenting workshops on an ancient Aboriginal wind instrument: the didgeridoo. Phil provides each student with a didgeridoo and, during the course of an evening, gets everyone puffing and blowing and making music—a fine example of a hands-on workshop exercise.
Read the rest of the chapter in “Become a Workshop Presenter”
Meet the author: Milli Thornton
E-book - 120 pages (no-scroll formatting) - 1.3 MB - $21.00
(or download Adobe Reader later—our auto-email will show you how)
---
Please Read Our E-book Policies
The Word Nerd's e-Store - All Rights Reserved -
Publisher not responsible for virus protection on customer's computer
Goods and services provided by The Word Nerd (TX, USA)
2Checkout.com (Ohio, USA) is the authorized online retailer of
goods and services provided by Milli Thornton dba The Word Nerd
---
Return to Page Contents for "Certified Workshop Presenters"