About Me
Writing has always been my true home. At age seven, my poem “Fairy Toast” was published in The Phoenix, a literary magazine. When I write, I imagine, spin stories, unwind my sorrow, find courage, and try to record the poetry I encounter in this world.
Bennington College wrote in their acceptance letter that my high school grades were inconsistent; they were enrolling me based upon my stories. It was not the first time my writing saved me. After a fellowship and Master’s degree from Smith College, I embarked on a 32 year teaching career in the Amherst Public Schools. For twenty of those years, I taught Drama to middle school students.
In the 1990’s, I took writing workshops with Pat Schneider, the talented creator of Amherst Writers and Artists. I witnessed Pat’s brilliant method, her ability to encourage every writer in the room. During this time, I had two of my stories published in Peregrine, a literary journal: “Summer’s Dance” and “Dr. Mercuvio and the Velvet Couch.”
In 2021, after 32 years of public school teaching, I began leading private writing workshops with adults. In 2024, I began to lead writing workshops through OLLI, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University Massachusetts, Boston, MA. My writing workshops are inspiring for my participants as well as for me as writers claim their voice and recognize their gifts.
My Workshops
I believe everyone has stories to tell: in post it notes, old letters, memory, the conversation we had at the corner. We just need time to listen and write. The finest writing comes when we are quiet, our self-judgment tucked away in a drawer in another room.
My workshops are open to writers of all levels, whether you are new to writing or a published author. My workshops are non-competitive. I combine the Amherst Writers and Artists method I experienced as a member of Pat Schneider’s workshops along with teaching techniques I find successful as a workshop leader and a writer. My primary goal is that my writers leave my workshops with greater trust in their voices and creative ideas.
All workshops are structured with to be safe, encouraging and positive spaces. There is magic which happens when we write in community. All workshops are held virtually via Zoom and are not recorded. Please read the descriptions of the workshops I offer and please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.