Surviving Your Story: Expressing Writing for Release and Recovery

Difficult experiences can become lodged in our bodies in ways that impact us daily, and writing is a way to name, release and recover from those experiences. Expressive writing allows us to make sense and meaning; to re-craft the struggle and better reflect our truth. In other words, it supports you in surviving your story.

This course is structured in two parts. In the first, we come together as a group for a two-hour Zoom session to discuss the what and how of safe expressive writing practices, followed by exercises and a take-home writing assignment. For the second part, you have the option of submitting your writing to the instructor for private, written feedback. Please note that these workshops are intentionally carved out for those who identify as women, femme, and/or nonbinary to experience camaraderie as we navigate difficult, challenging, and deeply personal topics.

Writers will also take home a packet of writing examples and prompts to help them continue their practice.

Leader: Shawna Ayoub is a brown, queer, Durham-based writer and instructor whose work prioritizes the engagement of difficult topics. After recognizing the personal benefits of writing for release and recovery, she has made her practice public for the last 15 years, offering courses independently as well as through the Center for Creative Writing. Her work has appeared in Verywell Mind, Survivor Lit, Exit 7, [wherever], The Archipelago, and The Manifest-Station.

Cost: $75, $100. Scholarships available. OR 5 workshops for $325, or 3 workshops of their choice for $200. Please contact info@rcwms.org.

Register below. Registrants will receive a Zoom link in the automated ticket confirmation.

*Community members who would like to donate scholarships may do so at rcwms.org/donate.