The Unbearable Lightness of Being: Writing Beauty and Darkness in Fiction and Memoir

In this generative writing workshop, join award-winning author and Oregon Book Award finalist Charlie J. Stephens for a weekend of readings, thoughtful discussions, creative writing exercises, and helpful writing prompts. This workshop is designed for writers of any experience level, beginners encouraged!

We will explore the work of contemporary writers through reading short excerpts, notice what they’re doing and why, and discuss the effect those choices have on us as readers. We will then use engaging writing exercises and prompts to write our own pieces of any genre, but focused mostly on fiction and memoir. Poets are always welcome!

As Milan Kundera wrote, “But is heaviness truly deplorable and lightness splendid? The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become. Conversely, the absolute absence of a burden causes [one] to be lighter than air, to soar into the heights, take leave of the earth and [their] earthly being, and become only half-real, [their] movements as free as they are insignificant. What then shall we choose? Weight or lightness?” We will use Kundera’s ideas as a lens through which to write this weekend.

With an emphasis on building a safe and supportive weekend writing community, and ways to stay connected and accountable to your writing after the weekend is over, you can expect to leave with many new pieces started, a refreshed toolbox for how to stay connected to your writing practice, and a better sense of your importance as a writer in our world. There is no one who can write the stories you can, and in these times, we need more voices to share their truths whether it be through fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry.

Expect to leave with many new writing starts, a refreshed toolbox of techniques and practices, and connections with other lovely writers. Whether you are just getting started or have old projects that need inspiration, this weekend seeks to offer the time, support and space to dive into this creative practice.

The schedule for this retreat can be viewed here.