I’m Not a Writer BUT… A Writing Workshop for Organizers, Activists and Movement-Builders

Description

Many of us who are on the frontlines of movements for racial, gender, economic and environmental justice hold important insights, tools and hard-won lessons that other organizers could learn from. Yet, too often we let our anxieties and imposter syndrome get in the way of writing them down, leaving it to others to be the narrators of our movements.

This workshop is meant for anyone involved in grassroots organizing, cultural work, or other forms of leadership for social change who want support to write about their experiences -- whether or not you already identify as a “writer.”

Preferably, you will come to the workshop with an idea for a short piece you’d like to develop, which could include things like:

• A story about a recent campaign you worked on;
• An opinion article on a current political issue;
• A handout for an upcoming training you’re leading;
• A reflection for your organization’s blog or annual report;
• A narrative poem or short story that captures some aspect of your experience working for social change;
• A chapter of a book you’re working on;
• Or something else!

In Part One, we’ll start by discussing the importance of engaging with writing as movement people and work with some writing prompts to help you generate ideas or find new ways into the themes you’re interested in, 

In Part Two, we’ll take a closer look at some pieces of writing that might serve as further inspiration or models for shaping an idea you have into a finished piece. We’ll also discuss some of the challenges and emotional blocks to writing and strategies for overcoming them.

These sessions are interactive and will include individual exercises/writing time, as well as breakouts and group discussion.

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Participants leave with…

• More confidence in their ability to share your experiences and perspectives on organizing and movement-building through writing;
• The start to a piece of writing they want to develop;
• Peer support and encouragement to continue to develop as thought-leaders on the issues they are closest to.

Please take a look at the writing samples in this pdf before you arrive to the workshop. You do not have to study them all but you are strongly encouraged to skim them and choose one to focus on that you think may provide a model or give you ideas for something you want to write.

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What you need to do to prepare...

Need to do some additional research on writing prompts and external resources for the follow up letter.

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This program is ideal for...

Anyone involved in grassroots organizing, cultural work or other forms of leadership for social change who want support to write about their experiences -- whether or not they already identify as a “writer.” Geared toward women, BIPOC, trans folks and others who may experience structural or emotional barriers to writing as a result of oppression they’ve experienced.

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