WRITING IS THE BEST THERAPY - COME JOIN US

I WRITE; THEREFORE, I AM

A Creative Writing Workshop

This workshop is designed for the beginning writer as well as the more experienced author.  We will begin each session with a series of exercises to open up our minds and cajole memories or ideas that can serve us as springboards for essays or stories.  Free writing with prompts, making lists, using photos or pictures, how to find an original subject, organizing an essay or short story, how to create or depict a character, using dialogue, how to start and how to end an essay or story, and many other techniques and subjects will be discussed and practiced during our sessions. 

Reading and learning from published writers is another important component of our workshops.  We learn to read like a writer; in other words, to learn how to write from others who do it well.  Critiques of participants’ works are an essential element of our workshops.  However, you are not obligated to bring your writing to be workshopped.  It is totally up to you.  Homework is also provided as well to stimulate creation and keep you writing during the off-week.  This is also not mandatory.  All genres are accepted. 

Join us for an exciting, instruction-filled, practical workshop to develop your creative life or to continue your artistic life in an encouraging, positive atmosphere.

Frequency: every other Monday – 7-9 pm / starting March 3

Duration: 6 sessions

Cost: $20/hour

Register by February 21st by email and receive a $40 discount (one free class).  

Send your check to the location indicated below by February 21st.  

Location: 1867 N. Bissell – plenty of free parking or one block from the Brown Line or three blocks from the Red Line

For more information: email me at bgartler@yahoo.com.

I WRITE; THEREFORE, I AM

I WRITE; THEREFORE, I AM

A Creative Writing Workshop

Beatriz Badikian-Gartler, Ph.D.

    This workshop is designed for the beginning writer as well as the more experienced author.  We will begin each session with a series of exercises to open up our minds and cajole memories or ideas that can serve us as springboards for essays or stories.  Free writing with prompts, making lists, using photos or pictures, how to find an original subject, organizing an essay or short story, how to create or depict a character, using dialogue, how to start and how to end an essay or story, and many other techniques and subjects will be discussed and practiced during our sessions. 

    Reading and learning from published writers is another important component of our workshops.  We learn to read like a writer; in other words, to learn how to write from others who do it well.  Critiques of participants’ works are an essential element of our workshops.  However, you are not obligated to bring your writing to be workshopped.  It is totally up to you.  Homework is also provided as well to stimulate creation and keep you writing during the off-week.  This is also not mandatory.  All genres are accepted. 

    Join us for an exciting, instruction-filled, practical workshop to develop your creative life or to continue your artistic life in an encouraging, positive atmosphere.

Frequency: every other Monday – 7-9 pm / starting September 9

Duration: 8 sessions

Cost: $20/hour

Location: 1867 N. Bissell – plenty of free parking or one block from the Brown Line or three blocks from the Red Line

Maximum enrollment: 8

For more information: email me at bgartler@yahoo.com

To take a look at my work go to my website: www.bbgartler.com  or check out my blog: www.gartlerwritingstudio.blogspot.com.

To reserve a spot send a deposit of $100.00 or the entire amount to my home address, Chicago, 60614.

            TAKE A CHANCE AND FIRE UP YOUR CREATIVITY!  JOIN US THIS SEPTEMBER.

WANTS AND NEEDS

We sometimes imagine we want what we don't really want.  The friend who returns to the man who mistreats her.  Spending money we don't have on something for the pleasure of the purchase.  I imagine I want peace and quiet, solitude, but when I have it I'm eager to go out or call a friend or watch tv.  Because solitude is a lot of work.  It entails looking inward, judging my needs and wants, reviewing past actions.  Solitude requires strength of character.  Like traveling alone requires inner fortitude.  Solitude is what I think I want until I get it.  Beware what you wish the Chinese proverb reminds us, you may get it.  And then you or I realize I don't really want it.  Not now.  Perhaps later.  Perhaps never.

REPORT FROM THE TRENCHES: SYROS: Day Sixteen

The hydrofoil rides on the waters of the Aegean at 7:30 am and brings me to Syros, one of the Cycladic Islands.  Maria is waiting at the harbor where I disembark with many others carrying suitcases and babies.  We take the free bus and arrive at her house right in front of the sea.

Charming two flat: I have my own studio apartment: bedroom with balcony on the water, bathroom, kitchen.  This is heaven!  Or close to it.

Ermoupolis is the capital of Syros as well as the capital of Cyclades.  Quaint buildings from the neoclassical period stand next to Venetian looking buildings.  The history of the island goes back to the Phoenicians and it was occupied by Franks, Venetians, Turks, everyone passed by here.

In the evening we walk down to the center teeming with children on skateboards, parents pushing strollers, boys with soccer balls, young men and women sitting in cafes smoking.  A myriad shops attract my attention with beautifully colorful bracelets and earrings, ceramic cups and plates, a bookstore or two, everything is here.  The ground we walk on everywhere is marble.  So much marble!  Makes for a cool walk in the summer heat I'm sure albeit a bit slippery. 

We have a sangria in one of the many harbor cafes and walk back through the town square where a free movie of the Neo-Fascist movement in Italy is being shown.  We sit on the steps of the city hall and watch with awe and sadness.  Next week there is an antifascist festival on the square.  Intriguing, isn't it?  After the film, we walk to the restaurant Oneiron (Dream) where we sit in the garden among eucalyptus and pine trees for a delicious supper and a glass of white wine.  It is absolutely peaceful and enchanting to sit under the stars and enjoy a good meal with a good friend.  Outside young men are chanting and singing because their team won the basketball championship.  The opposing team fans are not so happy however.  But in the back yard of the Dream all is well.

The walk back is slow and somewhat uphill with the full moon keeping us company.  I walk out on my tiny balcony to see the lighted houses and boats across the way, the moon shimmering on the Aegean, the sky dark above my head.  I could stay here for days on end.  I could...