Small Observances, Big Ideas (SOBI)
Poetry and Writing Prompts with Kathryn Petruccelli
Building an Intersectional Future through a Love of Language
To REGISTER: montereyboundATgmailDOTcom.
A word after a word after a word is power.
–Margaret Atwood
You want to feel less helpless about the state of the world or find some respite from the storm.
You want to reconnect with your creativity, deepen your understanding of poetry, or branch into a new kind of expression.
You want to sharpen your craft, gain exposure to more voices in the world of poetry.
Regardless of your writing experience, I welcome you to come play with words.
Each week we will look together at contemporary poems and poets before engaging the page ourselves. I select poems I’m excited to share and let the poems dictate the elements of craft we discuss. Sometimes the prompts will invite you to consider what to write about. Sometimes they will suggest how to go about your writing—techniques to try out—or ways in, openings, sparks for beginning to get something down on the page.
Always, we lead with a love of language, trusting that the power in our system of sound and symbol will carry us where we need to go. A moment in the garden or a scrap of conversation overheard can be the unassuming springboard to make meaning of our world in crisis and our place in that world. This course is about diving into tiny moments in our daily lives that help reveal to us what we believe while building the emotional literacy we need to create the future we want. There is never an expectation for where the writing goes; the assumption here is that doing creative work is revolutionary in and of itself.
Here are just a few of the poets I’m excited about right now: * Victoria Kennefick * Kathryn Smith * Yalie Saweda Kamara * Ada Limón * Ross Gay * Matthew Olzmann * Nickole Brown * Vievee Francis * Keetje Kuipers * Aracelis Girmay * Ellen Bass * Danusha Laméris * Fatimah Asghar * Hafizah Geter * John Murillo * Leila Chatti * Camille Dungy * Hanif Abdurraqib * Chelsea Wagenaar * Safia Elhillo * Jane Hirshfield * Marie Howe * Chen Chen * Michael Kleber-Diggs * Victoria Chang * Terrance Hayes * Tony Hoagland * Abby E. Murray * Natalie Diaz *
Poetry is Not a Luxury Series for Women
Dovetail Storytelling Workshop.
Demo Video of Workshop Sessions.
“Kathryn Petruccelli’s virtual poetry workshop felt like being in a forest clearing with a word-shaman, away from all the noise of life, where memories and realizations are conjured. She opens the door to her inner process and shares her experience with such care and wisdom that her words themselves inspire new ideas. I came away from each session having generated pages of new material full of unexpected revelations. This crop of new writing, in turn, generated poems I am still polishing while I use the workshop techniques to pry open more vistas. One thing in particular that stands out about Kathryn’s teaching style is it inspires writing as a voyage of discovery. ”
– Cleo, NYC
“My writing has grown significantly from taking Kathryn’s poetry class. She’s introduced me to so many diverse poets and each time engages me in thoughtful prompts that have brought out my creativity. I appreciate her insightful feedback.”
– Christine, Oakland, California
“Being new to poetry I began this workshop not knowing what to expect and also a tad apprehensive regarding my writing skills. Kitty’s warm and welcoming teaching style and her infectious love of the craft quickly set aside my concerns. In a very short period of time, a supportive and caring community of aspiring poets, writers, and curious explorers was born with Kitty there to guide, mentor, challenge, and support.
I have learned to tap into my creativity and have begun a journey of deeper and more meaningful emotional expression. I will be forever grateful for having had this opportunity. ”
– Theresa, somewhere in the foothills of the Berkshires (Massachusetts)
“Kathryn’s gifts as a workshop leader are numerous: she is contagiously enthusiastic about poetry and storytelling, she conveys her depth of knowledge about the writing process in ways that are easy to understand, and she shares her insights into other poets’ compositions in ways that lead to greater appreciation of each poet’s gifts. She has inspired me and supported me in exploring my own writing as a means to discovery – discovery of the mysteries of how language can convey what is ostensibly beyond words, and discovery of the stories that are hidden within me and find their way out in her writing workshops each week.
I am grateful to be able to participate in the shared experience of her expertise and leadership in a group of dynamic and supportive participants. It is a joy I look forward to each week.”
– Susannah, from the hills and dales of unincorporated Monterey County (California)