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“Become a Workshop Presenter”
an e-book
by Milli Thornton
Writing Workshops
In Milli Thornton's writing workshops, the accent is on fun. The other guiding principle is safe place.
“I don't allow critiques,” Milli said, “so writers—and especially emerging closet writers—who are not ready for critiquing won't have to dread that kind of feedback.”
The Fear of Writing Clinic is a one-day event and the Tantrick Writing Clinic (group bookings only) is a full weekend workshop.
“One thing I strive to do is to avoid making my workshops self-contained. There's nothing more frustrating than attending a workshop, leaving 1,000% inspired—but then crashing down again a few days later, unable to sustain your motivation at home. So I offer ways and means for writers to continue the momentum after the workshop.”
Quite a few of Milli's students stay with her for regular Fear of Writing events or publications after they've attended the workshop(s).
“We have groups that are like family now,” Milli said. “Also, students who've followed my specific workshop suggestions for 'baby steps' had articles or stories published within a few months of the workshop.”
The exercises were fun! I had a GREAT time.
—Donna Brown, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Page Contents
Student Workbook
Testimonials
Meet (in Photos) Some of the Workshop Participants
How to Register for the FoW Clinic
Workshop Schedule and Registration
Be Notified of Future Workshops
Tantrick Writing Clinic (opens in a new browser tab)
Tantrick Writing Clinic & Photo Gallery
Training for Workshop Presenters
How to Qualify to Present the Fear of Writing Clinic in Your Local Area
Fear of Writing Clinic—Online
On this page you will find comprehensive info about what the Fear of Writing Clinic offers, as well as testimonials and photos of previous participants. For your convenience, the info about the online clinic is given here at the top, and the full workshop description comes below, after the current workshop dates.
This is how the online clinic works.
Students must have the latest version of SKYPE downloaded on their computer (Skype is free to download) and a working microphone plugged in and ready to go. Milli will lead the workshop by webcam, but if you don't have webcam you can still participate.
Students pay online and download a PDF copy of the student workbook for printing. You'll have the option of ordering the hard copy workbook—which has a color cover front & back and color photos inside—providing you register soon enough to receive it by mail.
This is a full 8-hour workshop, so students will need to mark the date off on their calendars and say no to other commitments for that day. (Writers with children should arrange for a babsitter to avoid disrupting the group with kids wanting your attention.) The format will alternate between group time over Skype and writing time (you'll stay online and check in by Skype instant message each time you finish an assignment).
Group time is used by Milli to explain each exercise, and for feedback and anecdotes from participants. Feedback includes sharing the results of your fear of writing survey, and reading your Fertile Material stories and other workshop exercises to the group. This is done in a safe atmosphere where everyone is expected to be friendly and kind. No critiques!
If you think this sounds like fun, proceed to the next section to check upcoming dates. Beneath the schedule is more info about what the workshop entails.
Cost: $150 per person
Fear of Writing Clinic Online—Workshop Schedule
2011
At present I only do the Fear of Writing Clinic as an online workshop (see previous section for info regarding the online version).
There are currently no online workshops scheduled.
If you'd like to be notified next time an online workshop is scheduled, please join the mailing list.
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Fear of Writing Clinic
A fun writing workshop!
“writers & closet writers welcome”
SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL and get ready to write! No matter what your level of writer’s block, lack of inspiration, or sheer terror of failure, you’ll find yourself hitting the page with irresistible stories and characters-spouting-dialogue almost from the moment you sit down.
The old pressure to dredge up “something worth writing” is lifted away and you can simply let the magic happen.
Meanwhile, you’ll discover that your imagination is far richer than you’ve ever suspected. This is all accomplished in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie, where you will actually be rewarded for your fear of writing.
If you’re shy, you can sit quietly until it feels comfortable to offer your insights. But everyone—even the grimmest who believe they have NO talent—must come prepared to write. You’ll be glad you did. The Fertile Material has been known to unblock the most secretive of closet writers . . . and even the biggest scaredy cats!
Workshop Presenter & What to Bring
My name is Milli Thornton. I'm the author fo the book (Fear of Writing: for writers & closet writers) and lead presenter for the FoW Clinic. I'm also starting to train others to present the clinic. See the certification page for a list of presenters.
Coffee houses and the homes of friends fit the criteria for my ideal writing workshop environment. I prefer smaller, more intimate settings, as well as small groups of people, so participants will feel safe—and free to relax and have fun.
Fear of Writing is available at Books & Java or on Amazon.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous experience as a writer? No. This workshop is suitable for every level—even people who have never written before. A closet writer is someone who has dreamed of “someday” being a writer but has either been too busy or too scared to try. Now you can come out of the closet the easy way. This workshop has also helped more seasoned writers break away from their usual projects and have some fun. The exercises are designed for everybody.
Will this workshop show me how to get published? Nope. This workshop is for the fun of creativity—and to become acquainted with my writing prompts (the Fertile Material), which will give you food for many, many stories even long after the workshop is over. It also gently helps with any writing fears you may have.
Will anyone critique my writing? No. Everyone is encouraged to read to the group what they have written, but no one is pressured to read. And critiques are not allowed. The philosophy of Fear of Writing is to provide a safe place where no one has to dread an unkind critique.
About the Online Version of the FoW Clinic
SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORKSHOP MAILING LIST
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Student Workbook
Fear of Writing Clinic
Milli has replaced the old photocopied hand-outs with a 33-page spiral bound student workbook. Here's the table of contents:
Spring 2011: The workbook is being updated & you will get the next version if you register from April onwards
1. INTRODUCING. . . .
Milli’s Support Team
How to Get the Most From This Workbook
Gallery of Past Clinic Participants
2. FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE
Suffering Comes With the Turf
Fear of Writing: Is It a Gene?
Coming Out of the Writer’s Closet for Good
Water: Do Writers Need It?
3. EXERCISES TO HELP WITH FEAR
Fear & Fantasy Profile/Define Fun
The Seven Eternal Laws of Writing
Subliminal Identification
Subliminal Realignment
Fear of Criticism
4. EXERCISES FOR FUN & CREATIVITY
10 Hints for using the Fertile Material
Example: Use Suggestion and Be Specific
How to Invent Name Soup
Fertile Material Skeletons
Fertile Material
5. RESOURCES FOR AFTER THE CLINIC
Baby Steps: The Hill Country EDGE
Baby Steps: ByLine Magazine
Suggested Reading/Suggested Workbooks List
6. HOW TO STAY INVOLVED IN FEAR
OF WRITING AFTER THE CLINIC
Local Fertile Material Writing Circles
Closet Writers’ Liberation Camp
The Online Course at fearofwriting.com
Subscribe to Fear of Writing Gazette
Books & Java Mail Order Form
Copyright © 2005 Milli Thornton
SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORKSHOP MAILING LIST
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Testimonials—Fear of Writing Clinic
It screams “safe”!
—Sallye Beranak, Ft. Collins, Colorado
I’m not a poet, but after your Fear of Writing Clinic I felt so inspired I entered a poetry contest and won a Sony Vaio.
—Robert Beale, Taos, New Mexico
The exercises were fun! I had a GREAT time.
—Donna Brown, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Milli, I had a wonderful time on Saturday. I came home tired but really enthused. I am amazed at how talented you are. How organized and in awe of your workshop abilities. You have been sent here as the Writer's Angel, I truly believe it. You have an amazing way of hearing what is not said and an empathetic way of listening. The way you have of encouraging and uplifting when one is in that place of fear and uncertainty is astounding.
—Deirdre Nielsen, Canyon Lake, Texas
I really enjoyed your workshop. It was fun. I look forward to seeing a “Son of Fear of Writing” workshop someday.
—Raven Puente, Spring Branch, Texas
Once again, thank you so much. At the beginning of the day I felt like “Ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness, I can't write anything around these people—they're all so good and I'm just going to sound dumb!” But we both had a really, really good time. Thanks, thanks, thanks!!
— Susan Smith, San Antonio, Texas, attending with her 16-year-old daughter, Caitlin Smith
Milli, I love your feedback. You are so encouraging, so uplifting, and your words exude a strength that goes right to my soul. Thank you.
—Claudia Errington, Woodland, CA
Thanks for a great writing workshop. I realized several things—one of which is that other people’s fears are no greater or lesser than mine. That was very helpful.
—Terry Fisher, at a Fear of Writing Clinic sponsored by SouthWest Writers, 3/16/02
Great writing exercises. “Fertile Material.” Nothing has set me free like these. Thanks! —Lyn Canham, Sandia Park, New Mexico
SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORKSHOP MAILING LIST
Meet Some of the Workshop Participants
Fear of Writing Clinic, Canyon Lake, Texas 2/26/05
Clockwise, from left to right: Tony Carroll, Carol Ann Collette, Kathy Cloud, Liz Newman, Lainie Dulaney, Milli Thornton, Michele Reinhardt, Sue Perkins
Fear of Writing Clinic, Canyon Lake, Texas 4/16/05
Left to right, from top row: Jim Satterwhite, Raven Puente, Lenell Deane, Susan Smith, Sherry Kubena, Caitlin Smith, Jane Burkett
Fear of Writing Clinic, Cappuccino Paradise, San Antonio, Texas, 5/7/05
From left to right: Jim Vermillion, Dave Lawrence, Cindy Wilson, Milli Thornton, Gwen Michal, Mary Jarvis
Fear of Writing Clinic, Chicki's Coffee Shop, Spring Branch, Texas, 4/23/05
From left to right: Milli Thornton, Ellen Miller, Jeanetta Davis, Sandy Fleming
Fear of Writng Clinic, Daisy Whisenant's house, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, 5/21/05
From left to right: John Gaines, Bev Emmons, Richard McFarland, Holly White, Milli Thornton, Joe Worthy, Bea Moore, Sondra Locke, Daisy Whisenant
BE NOTIFIED OF FUTURE WRITING WORKSHOPS
Fear of Writing Clinic
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