Hello Friend,
First, some housekeeping: I want to say welcome. Many of you are new to this list. I finally added my previous students and several recent hopeful students here, and I hope you'll stay. My reason for wanting you here is simple: I love being in community with you. Here you'll receive FREE monthly updates on classes and workshops as well as invitations to connect, writing resources, prompts, and ruminations on the questions I face as a writing instructor--the questions you ask. If this does not appeal or if being part of my email listsserv is not for you, I understand! It's a simple click to unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
I also want to acknowledge that, yes, this message is coming to you from a different platform. I am trying on Substack with the hope of building enough of a writing repository in the coming months that I can launch a paid option to this newsletter. This won’t affect your monthly emails. Those will remain free.
What I want to talk about today is the concept that memories and experiences can be stored in the body, often referred to as "body memory." It is an area of interest that intersects psychology, neuroscience, and alternative health. "Body memory" suggests that traumatic or significant experiences can leave imprints on the physical body, influencing an individual's physical health, emotional well-being, and behavior. If you've experienced a trauma, and chances are you have, you know that.
Why? As a result to the body's response to stress and trauma the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, can become sensitized to stress. This sensitization then leads to heightened responses to stressors, a phenomenon seen in conditions like PTSD. Traumatic experiences can alter the way the brain and body respond to similar situations in the future, indicating that the memory of the trauma is stored in both the brain and the body's reactions.
Which is all well and good to know, but what can we do about it?
Expressive Writing as a Tool for Release and Recovery
Expressive writing is a therapeutic practice where we write about our thoughts and feelings related to traumatic or stressful experiences. It looks like sitting down and setting a timer, and then writing anything and everything that comes to mind without paying attention to grammar, spelling or whether you're even dashing out your thoughts on the lines. It has been extensively researched for its benefits in resolving trauma. Often associated with the work of psychologist James Pennebaker, this approach involves writing for short periods (usually 15-20 minutes) over consecutive days about emotionally significant events. Each session concludes with a grounding check-in that last 3-5 minutes where we write about how the work we just did made us feel.
This practice helps us process and make sense of our trauma. Writing it leads to acceptance. Acceptance leads to release. Release leads to recovery.
Some of the benefits found through study of expressive writing include:
Reduced psychological stress response
Fewer stress-related visits to the doctor
Improved immune function
Enhanced overall psychological well-being and resilience
Writing the Body as a Focus for Expressive Writing
Writing the body, then, is the application of expressive writing technique to what is present in the body at the time of writing. Just as often as not, what's present isn't what we planned to write about, and that's fine. There's no wrong way to to expressive writing except to not write.
When I teach variations of Writing the Body (one of which I have coming up via Zoom on April 28th), our class comes together as a community to create a safe container for processing what our bodies bring to the fore. We set our intention to accept whatever our bodies bring to us knowing that we are the ones doing the writing, so we are the ones in control. Our stories belong to us. By extension, we can reclaim our bodies by telling their stories, whether we share those stories beyond the page or not.
It's an incredibly empowering act, and one I hope you'll try. Please refer to these resources to get started:
Writing as a Way of Healing by Louise DeSalvo
Expressive Writing: Words that Heal by James W. Pennebaker and John Frank Evans
Or better yet, join me for instruction and community practice. Keep scrolling to see my full course menu and the favor I ask of you at the end of this email!
Regularly Offered Courses
I teach the following classes through the Center for Creative Writing year-round:
Writing through Trauma to Truth, Parts 1&2
Writing about trauma is often an attempt to make sense and meaning; to unravel what can’t easily be felt or said; to stitch torn cloth together again with well-crafted words that make, from struggle, something good and beautiful and true – for yourself and for future readers. Read the full course description.
Writing the Wave, Parts 1-4
Writing the Wave is an organic approach to writing that will jump-start your creative process and free the writer inside you—even if you’re just starting or have been struggling for years. Working with both your creative and analytical mind through a series of imagination-boosting techniques, the course has helped thousands of aspiring writers get to the page and thrive there. Read the full course description.
Writing Your Web Presence
You know the hows and whys of starting a blog. Now you need to generate some quality content. On a blog, you can write about anything you want as long as you have a strong “voice.” You can blog on one topic or many, but a strong voice allows you to wander with your creativity while staying in “niche.” Read the full course description.
Independent Study Options
I periodically accept independent students for Generative Writing and Private Writing Guidance.
Generative Writing
Generative writing sessions are designed to get you writing. Enjoy the benefits of weekly deadlines and regular, in-depth feedback from your teacher as you develop new or existing projects. These sessions follow the same format, pricing (includes a free consultation), and schedule as our regular six-week courses, but without formal assignments. Read the full description.
Private Writing Guidance
Whether you want to polish or publish your writing, the Center offers expert, one-on-one guidance for the next stage of the process such as first reader, copy editor, manuscript midwife or content editor. Read the full description.
All courses run for six weeks and utilize the Wet Ink platform. Please consult the 2024 session dates below:
Jan 7-Feb. 22
Feb. 27-April 11
April 16-May 30 *now enrolling*
June 4-July 18
July 23-Sept. 5
Sept. 10-Oct. 24
Oct. 29-Dec. 12
Sliding Scale Options
I recognize that not everyone is able to access the classes I teach through various institutions. For that reason, in addition to these regularly scheduled courses, I take 2-3 private students per month for courses priced on a sliding scale of $75-125. These sessions typically last 4 weeks and are scheduled with me via email. Generally, I reserve these spaces for queer, BIPOC or differently-abled individuals, and includes anyone on a fixed income. Course goals are curated to client need. Coursework is assigned and completed through email exchange. However, video conferencing is an option.
Payment can be made through Paypal, Venmo, CashApp or Zelle. Email me using the form on my Contact Page or by replying to this email to set up one of these sessions.
Retreats, Workshops & Classes
I generally teach single-session workshops or weekend retreats on a quarterly schedule. This Spring I had a record number of courses accepted. They are either via Zoom or in-person in Durham, NC.
Discovering Your Memoir
This is a dynamic five-week writing course designed to help participants explore the rich tapestry of their lives and discover the unique stories waiting to be told. Through a series of engaging exercises and discussions, students will uncover their hidden memories, embrace their vulnerability and develop a deeper connection with their personal narratives.
Students will be given in-class writing assignments with the expectation that they will further develop their work between classes and bring it to the next class for discussion. At-home writing development should take about 20 minutes.
Mondays, April 29-June 3 (no class May 27)
11:00 AM- 12:30 PM
Cost: $85
In-Person at JRC, 1933 West Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705
Register here beginning April 9.
Writing True & Difficult Stories
This five-week course delves into the transformative power of expressive writing, with a specific emphasis on crafting true and difficult stories. Participants will explore how expressive writing serves as a therapeutic outlet for release and recovery. Through engaging readings, interactive discussions and hands-on writing exercises, students will develop the skills needed to articulate and navigate their own personal and challenging stories. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in class discussions and seek feedback on their writing throughout the course.
Students will be given in-class writing assignments with the expectation that they will further develop their work between classes and bring it to the next class for discussion. At-home writing development should take about 20 minutes.
Mondays, Apr 29-Jun 3 (no class May 27)
9:00 AM- 10:30 AM
Cost: $85
In-Person at JRC, 1933 West Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705.
Register here beginning April 9.
Writing the Body
It's a well-researched fact that we store our emotional experiences in our physical bodies. On anniversaries of loss, for example, it is common to feel body pain, heaviness, or fatigue. In this Zoom workshop, we will practice feeling into our body stories safely in order to capture them in words. As a group, we will learn about how the body stores memory, and why, and take home practices for listening to the stories our bodies want to tell us. While this course is appropriate for writers at every level and of every genre, it can also be taken to build off "Writing Great Essays," offered March 30th.
Writers will take home a packet of writing examples as well as prompts, and can contact Shawna for written feedback within two weeks of this workshop.
April 28th, 2:00-4:00 PM via Zoom
Cost: $75, $100, Scholarships available
Minimum Students: 3
Maximum Students: 10
Register here.
If you'd like to work with me, reach out to me. I'd love to hear from you!
Read Me On The Center Blog--And send me your writing!
I write a series called "Beyond a Book Review: on the Center for Creative Writing blog. You can read my latest post here, or scroll through all my reviews here. Each review ends with a writing prompt inspired by the book. I'd love to read your responses to those prompts! Just hit "reply" to this email and send them my way!
Before you go, can you do me a HUGE favor?
If you've written with me before, could you leave me a testimonial? I've been a writing instructor for over 15 years. Somehow, I only held onto 3 testimonials. Because I'm offering courses through new institutions, those testimonials are essential for landing gigs and attracting new students. It will take you 3-5 minutes to submit a testimonial through this Google form. I'd really appreciate the love.
I'm wishing you the wealth of wellness.
Warmly,
Shawna