What is the writer without community?
Writing takes courage and commitment. Day after day, we are asked to show up to the page and without community and encouragement, it can become frustrating. We’re more likely to walk away. Community, conversation, friendship: this is the foundation of MFA program and writers conferences and salons before them. It’s one of the reasons why I find myself going to writers retreats: everyone there is pushing their own pencil against their notebooks. It’s why I like workshops and my writer’s group so much: deadlines make the pencil meet the page.
Workshop
Take a look at upcoming workshop schedule and register for one.
One on one
Perhaps you are already working on a project and just need to talk about it, one on one.
Why work with me?
Before I got my MFA, I read the slush pile at Peachtree Publishers and wrote for a couple of weekly newspapers. I even worked in advertising for a while. I was working full time when I decided to start taking writing classes at night to see if I could do it – so I know about having those day jobs that leave you unfulfilled and the desire to do more, be more. While at Memphis, I was the fiction editor for the Pinch Journal and read for the Parthenon Prize in fiction. For the past two years, I’ve been a reader for Best of the Net.
Since then, I’ve taught writing at the college level for thirteen years. Some of my advanced writing workshops have been focused on place, some on forms. I’ve even taught a couple of workshops devoted exclusively to flash fiction.
What’s my philosophy of writing? I think everything can be made better (yes, even a lot of published work). The real fun and development comes in revision – seeing your work in a new way, re-visioning what it could be, what form it might need to take.
Writing can be lonely and static. Writers need to surround themselves with a community of writers who believe in the work. I love taking classes to stretch my writing muscles. Read and read a lot, especially the good stuff that will challenge you to be better. In fact, I’ll probably give you the name of a story or a book that will help get your wheels turning.
Some kind things folks have said:
“Marsha’s Guided Revision course challenged me to look at my essay differently. She gave specific instructions for several exercises from big ideas to structure, scenes and exposition to dialogue and titles. At the end of the course, I had a well-marked essay that I was able to easily revise and the piece was much better for it. I am looking forward to attending this course, as well as her others, again soon.””
“Being able to workshop with Marsha outside a university setting has brought back what I’ve missed the most, what I’ve desperately needed; guidance. Suddenly my stories are growing again; progress is being made. Marsha knows the craft so well, so entirely. She has mastered the art of story-telling as well as the ability to guide, inspire and teach. You can trust her instincts and develop your own. I’m truly thankful this opportunity exists.””
“I had the opportunity to workshop with Marsha multiple times, and while workshops can always be intimidating, I often looked forward to my turn in Marsha’s workshops. I always loved that she gave me critiques without worrying about bruising my ego; I have since discovered that some people worry a little too much about sparing feelings, and my writing has suffered.”
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“Marsha’s workshop was, in my opinion, the most effective in helping me become a better writer because I did not feel pressure to bring the “best-written piece ever.” After hearing revision suggestions, I was able to ask for clarity on areas I needed help with so I could confidently move forward with a story I was proud of.”
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“What impresses me most about Marsha’s editorial eye is she never tries to impose her own aesthetic onto my essays. She is simply a deep, thoughtful reader who can almost magically get to the bottom of my intentions before I can even see them myself. She has helped me in countless ways through working in many different forms, and I would trust her with any writing project I’m pursuing. She can unstick what’s stuck, and help you mine the gems in your work. I feel thankful as a writer that there are genius editors like her out there. Working with Marsha buoys my writing life, and gives me hope for its future.”
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