The Story You Came To Tell 2012
Instructed by award-winning author and poet Ellen Waterston, this series of seven weekly classes will explore poetry, fiction and literary nonfiction with a special emphasis on the relationship of literary nonfiction and fiction. This workshop is both for first time participants in a Writing Ranch series and for writers with on-going projects. Projects can include poetry, memoir, a collection of essays or short stories, or a literary nonfiction on any topic. All participants can expect in-class writing prompts, as well as reading and writing assignments. Class #16809
Fee & Registration: Central Oregon Community College Community Learning's website. Class # 16809
Location: 224 NW Oregon Ave. Bend, Oregon (across from the Pine Tavern)
Dates: Tuesdays, January 17-February 23
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Class size limited to 20. Ten participants required for class to be held. Additional sections may be added.
For more information: Email or call 541.480.3933
"You have the natural gift of a great teacher, always giving exactly the information we needed at the right moment in our progression as writers. Thank you for offering these workshops." Carol Sternkopf, Bend, Oregon
"You ability to connect with each person in class is inspiring. This is certainly a gift you possess. Your encouragement and suggestions...have motivated me to become a more complete and accomplished writer." Michael Reeves, Christmas Valley, Oregon
"Thank you seems a meager sentiment to express my gratitude for what you've given me. Taking your class has opened creative gates that have been shut for many years. May other fledgling writers bask in the glow of your support." Dee DelDrago, Bend, Oregon
"In a world where thin gruel is often standard fare, your course was a banquet feast I'll be digesting for months to come. Thank you for the intelligent care you took in presenting a fine class." Ruth Norman, Bend, Oregon
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Las Brisas Writer’s Workshop and Retreat 2012
**Stay tuned for Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico writing retreat in February, 2012
Established and emerging writers – hone your craft and enjoy the beauty of Todos Santos on Mexico’s Baja Sur! Join Ellen Waterston Spring 2011 for a week-long writing retreat that includes morning writing prompts, evening critiquing sessions and guided discussions about the intersection of poetry, literary non-fiction and fiction.
Take a break from writing with afternoon side trips to beaches and galleries. Participants will be lodged in a beautiful hacienda in the Pueblo Magico of Todos Santos. The fee (to be announced) includes breakfast and lunch, served at the hacienda, and family-style dinners at a local restaurant.
Location: Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico
Dates:
Limited to 15. For information: Email or call 541.480.3933
Visit Central Oregon Community College Community Learning's website for updates as they become available.
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"You made the Todos Santos experience the best experience. You are a gifted writer and teacher. I so look forward to doing this again." Sandy Mohler, San Diego, California
"Thank you so much for the wonderful energy you brought to the Todos Santos retreat and for the work you are doing professionally that made my time in Todos Santos so special." Gerry, Washington
"Thanks to the motivation your workshop provided, I am 200 pages into my memoir." Robert Hall, Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico
"I left Todos Santos believing I can write. It was a very encouraging experience as a writer." Chris Johns, Aurora, Illinois
"My expectations were met, and more!" Brenda Felldin, Paradise Valley, Arizona
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High Desert Sojourn postponed until 2012 due to this exciting opportunity!
Rogue River Writing Workshop - August 24-27, 2011
Join us for a four -day, three- night rafting trip/writing workshop on Oregon’s beautiful Rogue River. The workshop will be led by Ellen Waterston, an award-winning writer, poet, and speaker whose books include Where the Crooked River Rises, a collection of essays about central Oregon; Then There Was No Mountain, a memoir; and Between Desert Seasons and I am Madagascar, collections of poetry. She is also the founder and director of The Nature of Words and the Writing Ranch, institutions dedicated to the teaching of writing. She has the special gift of being able to listen closely, and to deliver both constructive criticism and inspiration to writers of all levels.
Read about the workshop here
Writing with Ellen is an illuminating experience. She’s a perceptive workshop leader; her suggestions are insightful, and the benefit of her instruction last long after the workshop has ended.
- Michel DeSilva, winner of the 2009 Nature of Words Rising Star Award
When Ellen commented on what I had written she made me fell that I might have some talent, yet at the same time showed me how I could be better. That’s an amazing skill.
- Dick Linford, workshop participant
The Rogue River winds though the coastal mountains of southern Oregon. Its exciting but safe rapids, warm weather and water, scenic beauty and abundant wildlife combine to make it one of the finest rafting rivers in America. Bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons and snowy egrets and deer are common, and it is not unusual to see back bears too timid to be threat and river otters. There are beavers living across from one camp, although they are very shy.
Ellen will begin each day with a “writing prompt”, or a topic that we can focus on as we float the river and explore side canyons. At lunch and in camp before diner we will have an opportunity to put our thoughts and ideas on paper. After dinner we can present our material to the group.
This is camping at its most comfortable. ECHO supplies tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses. The guides do all the cooking and cleaning up, and you will be amazed at the quality of the meals. ECHO furnishes beer and wine to complement the appetizers and meals.
This workshop is for writers of all levels, and is based on the premise that we all have interesting things to say.
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Specialized Workshops
Schedule a writing workshop or presentation at your educational or professional institution. Language Arts for Leaders'© two-hour creative writing workshops are a highly successful community-building activity at staff retreats for public, private and non-profit organizations.
“Thank you for such a terrific reading and workshop at the Oregon State Poetry Association Spring Conference. I wrote several pieces which I will continue to develop. Each exercise kept me focused and motivated. What a productive workshop.” Liz Miller, Ashland, Oregon
"I was moved beyond words by the incisiveness and clarity of her thoughts. Waterston is a genius-level instructor, able to uncover the latent talents of any group through a series of seemingly simple exercises in composition." Peter Springberg, Fort Collins, Colorado
"The two hours writer's workshop with Ellen Waterston was perhaps the most valuable two hours I've spent in months. In addition to being highly knowledgeable about all genres of writing, her most impressive quality was her ability to listen. When participants read their poetry or prose it seemed as if she instantly memorized them. Her comments about them were complete and probing. I would definitely want to attend more of her workshops." Darlene Morse, Fort Collins, Colorado
"Ellen Waterston came into my Alternative Education classroom and in three weeks taught my students to have a voice. She took what the students gave her -- abandonment, abuse, rape, drug use -- and gave them a creative outlet. Ellen's zeal for the written word was contagious. The students did not want to stop writing. Students who never had self-worth or felt validated are now, with confidence, reading their writing in front of audiences. She offered skills that enabled them to start to fly." Colby Knifong, Wallowa Alternative School, Oregon
"Ellen Waterston really listens to each student's work and responds with special comments that encourages the writer and validates their effort." Mary Lou Guentert, Joseph High School, Oregon
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