Write for You: Thursday Evening Writing Classes Start Soon!

by Nancy Casey

Two new classes related to writing and speaking will be starting in the month of May at the Latah Recovery Community Center. Like all classes and activities at the LRCC, they are free and open to anyone. If you have been curious about the Center, attending a free class is a good way to learn a bit more about what happens at the Center and how you can contribute.

Write For You

• 5:00-6:30 PM, every Thursday starting May 16.
• Anyone can drop into this class on any Thursday.
• “Writing” means different things to different people. One goal of the class is for everyone to learn how writing can be useful and fun for themselves personally. We will experiment with lots of different kinds of writing. So you can decide what you think.
• The focus of the class will be on writing one page at a time. One page, and then you are done. (Until you write another!)
• To write these pages, we will follow exercises like the ones in the LRCC’s weekly Write For You writing prompts.
• There will be homework. It’s optional. (Some people want to write more than others.)

Stand Up!

• 6:30-8:00 PM, 3^rd and 4^th Thursdays of the month, starting May 23.
• This is a closed group. You must attend at least one Write For You class and get permission to attend.
• We will practice different techniques for talking in front of an audience.
• For some people this is easy and for other it is the worst thing in the world. We can all help and encourage each other.
• We will also practice techniques for being a good audience.
• This class will also help you speak up in any situation where you are anxious.

Writing Certificates

• If you jump through certain hoops, you can earn a Writing Certificate.
• One of those hoops is to attend 12 Write For You classes. To learn more, come to class or contact Nancy.

The Default Page

• One of the things we will cover in the first Write For You class is the Default Page. That’s the page that you can always write, no matter what.
• Sometimes you feel stuck or frozen. You are willing to write, but for some reason can’t. You might even know what you want to write about and still can’t get started. That’s when you write the Default Page.
• To write the Default Page, describe what’s in front of you, whatever it is, no matter how boring it is, even if you sat in the same chair and wrote the Default Page yesterday.
• For the Default Page, write down what you see or smell or hear. Comment on it, or not. There is always something in front of you, write down what it is. Sooner or later you will have written a page. Then you are done.
• Today in your writing, write a Default Page. Doodle on it, too. Give it a title and write the date on it.

You can share what you have written by posting it as a comment below. To do that, you can type in your work. Or post a picture of it.

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. You can find more of her work here. She offers (free!) writing help to anyone in recovery. This can be for any kind of writing project—resumes, letters, stories, novels, homework, etc. Her Thursday writing classes at the Recovery Center will start May 16 at 5:00 PM. To sign up or get more information, contact Nancy or the Latah Recovery Community Center.