Classes by Clive Matson
Do you ever wonder how Sylvia Plath or Dylan Thomas did such remarkable writing? They were so close to their creativity they may simply have recorded the images rising through their minds. In these workshops we call that creative source the "Crazy Child" and we avoid the usual editorial judgments. We let that Child write! No matter if it is stories, poems, a play, songs or an ecstatic essay, the Child's word will likely contain our most vivid writing. Technically, this kind of writing is proprioceptive ~ dealing with the stories contained in our nervous systems; it is unpredictable and imparts texture, flair and power to language. For beginners, for intermediate writiers and for professionals who want to expand their horizons.
When we share our writing, the workshop will inform us - more quickly than we could discover on our own - exactly what that memorable writing is. The workshops are "syngenetic" - our feedback is designed to mirror to the author what the reader hears. "Syngenetic" means "with a similar origin"; the workshop's effort is to learn the primary impulse of your writing and help it come to fruition. Positive feedback deepens everyone's understanding of your words as we hear what others find memorable -- and thus gives a valid foundation from which to make comments. Our goal is to offer two or three suggestions for your next revision, or two or three techniques to keep in mind as you continue your writing. These workshops have evolved over the last fifteen years from Peter Elbow's "teacherless class."
World Wide Retreats
Writing Costa Rica, January 29 to February 7, 2010
Cost: $1600.00
Break your writers block! Inspire your muse! Reclaim your passion and creative expression!
Join us for an inspiring, relaxing, paradise retreat in Costa Rica.
Our group will be small and you will receive individual guidance on your writing. This workshop is perfect for all writers, whether this is your first foray into the wilds of creative writing or if you are a seasoned writer ready to expand and deepen your craft.
For more information visit, http://www.nosararetreat.com or Contact Deborah Tomassini, 415-312-7065
Costa Rica Slide Show and Potluck
Sunday, October 4, 2009
5 pm potluck, 7:30 pm slide show
Interested in coming to "Writing Costa Rica", come join us Sunday, October 4, 2009 for a slide show of past trips. Retreat Host, Deborah Tommassini will be there to answer questions and share her experiences. We will meet in Oakland, 472 44th Street. Contact Clive for more information.
French Escapades Writing Tour
Cost: $2650.00
If you've been hankering for a trip to Europe, now is the time to get serious. Six fortunate writers will join me on a unique excursion to Southeastern France. Our host, Jackie Grandchamps, is looking to fill the tour before the end of 2009.
Learn or improve how to put words together and make them sing on the page while discovering the beauty of rural France. 6 people only! All level welcome.
For a much better sense of how rich the tour is, visit Jackie's website, which has many photos and descriptions, http://www.frenchescapade.com/trips-writing.html
Scotland Writing Tour, TBD
We'll be Europe at Lendrick Lodge in Scotland. For the Scotland Trip please contact Stephen Mulhearn at enquiries@lendricklodge.com
California Retreats
Wilbur Hot Springs "Writing & Spiritual Awakening", October 23-25, 2009
Suggested Donation: $150.00
Join us in Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary for a three-day retreat of nature, writing, hot tubs, and sauna. Each retreat typically has a topic:
- Writing and Powerful Experience
- Writing and Personal Transformation
- Let the Crazy Child Write!
- Writing and Spiritual Experience
Each writing retreat will have an introductory workshop the first evening at 8 pm, a main workshop the next day beginning at 11 am, a participants' reading at 8 pm that evening and a closing session the last day at 11 am.
Call 530.473.2306 to register.
Clear Lake two-day retreats, October 10-11, 2009
Cost: $55.00
We'll learn about the structure of fiction and, indeed, of most writing by looking at a selection of very short stories. Introduction on Saturday afternoon, spontaneous writing and supportive feedback sessions in the the familiar synergetic style continue all day Sunday with a break for potluck lunch. We join an active Lake County writer's community for this event. Locals are in the relaxing and lovely area around Clearlake, and low cost lodging is available. These events are supported by Poets and Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the James Irvine Foundation.
Call 707.263.6658 to register.
Saturday, October 10, 2009 4 pm to 6 pm
Sunday, October 11, 2009 10 am to 5 pm
Feather River Adult Art Camp, June 20-27, 2010
Quincy, Plumas Co., CA
Cost: $769.00
We'll look at "Flash Fiction" and how it can inform your writing in any genre. Bring a blank notebook and a writing project for a productive, exciting week. We'll meet every morning for three hours, share our writing from the day before, have writing walks and meditations in the afternoons. And you may want to enjoy other workshops - pottery, paper making, landscape painting, gourd making, Chinese watercoloring - or go hiking, horseback riding, swimming, or play table tennis. We'll wrap up with a reading for the whole camp on the final night.
For more information visit, http://www.featherriverartcamp.com
or Contact: Karen LeGault, 510-601-1619
| Writing Highway 395, August 6-13, 2010 June Lake, Lee Vining, CA |
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Cost : $950.00 Call Silver Beaver Outfitters, Heather Heppner to register, 925.929.0793. |
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Join Clive's writing community on this leisurely mountain journey exploring California's beautiful, exotic eastern outback. Soak in Hot Creak, be awed by Tufa at Mono Lake, marvel at the Devil's Postpile, and swim in Parker Lake. Clive will lead three-hour morning writing workshops, guide writing walks and meditations as campers travel along Highway 395 between Bridgeport and Yosemite. Every afternoon will feature a new excursion, with writing excercises. Evenings will be enjoyed around the campfire, reading our stuff and telling tall tales. Cost includes transportation, workshop, hearty outdoor ranch-style meals, and tent accommodations. Come write, relax, and be inspired!
WORKSHOPS
Ten-week Workshops
Fall Session: Starts September 15, 2009
through November, 19, 2009
Winter Sessions Starts December 1, 2009
Cost: $400.00
Bring copies of your work in progress - journal, story, poem, novel, play or essay. Read it aloud and take notes as the workshop quotes your own most powerful lines back to you. This not only supports your strengths, it immerses the workshop more deeply in your piece. As one person repeats an image, I hear it again, review my own reaction, and sink closer to your intent. The syngenetic (having the same origin) workshop furthers your work with feedback from the same place - as much as possible - as the primary impulse of your writing.
We'll next ask a question like, "How does this character help the piece?" "What is the piece about?" "What is the function of that image?" and address the structure of your piece. You will pick up one or two rewrite suggestions - which you are free to apply, ignore, or use in a later piece. The workshop will quickly tune into your strengths and weaknesses, and you will find that your writing skills improve dramatically.
Tuesday at 7 pm to 10 pm in Oakland, CA.
Thursday 11 am to 2 pm in Marin, CA.
Contact Clive to join this class.
Novel Workshops
Intense workshopping for writers with novels in progress. A workshop in both Berkeley and Temescal. Limited to four writers. Meets every other Monday, 5 times over 10 weeks.
Crazy Child One-day workshops
Cost: $80.00 (no one will be turned away for lack of funds)
One Saturday a month from 10 am to 5 pm, Clive will lead you into the realm where the Crazy Child Writes.
We are close to our creative source when the child within speaks its mind and ignores any critical or editorial voices. In the morning we will let that "Crazy Child" write. And when the exercise is shared, the workshop as a whole will likely point to several sentences and say, "Those images are striking!" or "That scene is full of power!" These are clues for the afternoon's exercise, or we may follow our inner sense of the story and let the Child write freely again. Technically, this is proprioceptive writing - dealing with the stories and images contained in our nervous systems - and it gives texture and flair to all kinds of writing.
We are usually surprised by how much writing we do in these workshops, and by its competence. Three participants, for example, submitted their stories to a recent anthology; all three were accepted, one won third prize and another won first prize.
For beginners, for developing writers and for professionals who want to expand their horizons.
Saturday, October 17, 2009, in San Mateo
Saturday, November 14, 2009, in Hayward
Saturday, December 5, 2009, in Lafayette
The Short Story Workshop
Cost: $150.00
We'll examine elements of the short story and see how they are employed in examples of very short stories. These three to four page stories cover six minutes to six months of time. The various strategies used are fascinating. We'll do a draft of at least one story on the first day of this two day workshop (two consecutive Saturdays). On the following Saturday, we'll see how well the story elements are working in your draft. After these two days, you should take off with your short story writing skills.
We are careful to establish a warm and inviting atmosphere where even the rawest and shyest of writers can flourish and feel proud of what they accomplish. I expect, as usual, eight or ten people (including some of brave beginners), much exciting writing, and fun to boot.
One-Act Plays
Cost: $150.00
We'll examine elements and structure of writing a one-act play and see how they are employed in examples. The various strategies used are fascinating. We'll do a draft of at least one play on the first day of this two day workshop (two consecutive Saturdays). On the following Saturday, we'll see how well the elements of the play are working in your draft as we all take part in reading it. After these two days, you should take off with your play writing skills.
We are careful to establish a warm and inviting atmosphere where even the rawest and shyest of writers can flourish and feel proud of what they accomplish. I expect, as usual, eight or ten people (including some of brave beginners), much exciting writing, and fun to boot.
Marin Writer's Center class
Writing the Personal Essay
Eight weeks. Lectures on writing the personal essay, in-class exercises and workshopping of student material. You will finish several short pieces and gain a clear awareness of your own talents by the end of the class.
U.C. Extension Class
Exploring Your Creative Writing Potential
This ten week course for beginning writers helps you assess your potential, identify your strengths, and learn valuable writing techniques. Class exercises and weekly writing assignments help you discover your talents in a variety of forms: short fictional scenes, short story, poetry, and journalistic writing. A supportive atmosphere enables you to see how others respond to your writing. On completion, you should have a clearer sense of your writing strengths and directions to take for more advanced courses.
Self-teaching Tools
Let the Crazy Child Write! Book
He leads his merry band of writers to a place of vibrant self-realization; his humor and enthusiasm are as infectious as his wisdom. ~ Joe Quirk, The Ultimate Rush
Matson encourages the discovery of what so impassions us to write in the first place ~ the intuitive, the raw, the bloody. ~ Laura Glen Louis
Audio Tapes
Tapes and packets from Poetry: Current Schools are available for purchase. Ten lectures, averaging 85 minutes each, cover the major trends in United States poetry since World War II. The topics are:
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Individual tapes with corresponding packet are priced at $20 each. The complete ten-lecture set is available for $150. To purchase: email clive@matsonpoet.com, or call (510) 654-6495