Writing for Power & Resiliency with Thea Matthews

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

–Maya Angelou

“The power of language, of the voice, is not to be underestimated,” says instructor Thea Matthews. “In order to generate the change we hope to see in our world, the time is now more than ever to remember and know our own individual power, as well as our collective power. How can you use creative writing to affirm your own power, and in turn the resiliency of our humanity?”

In this 5-week class, participants will generate new work, or continue preexisting literary projects, that reflect personal and collective power and resiliency. Thea says, “We will turn to authors, from poet Etel Adnan to poet and novelist Maya Angelou, who have shown us what it means to be in power and to be resilient. We will explore literary tools and strategies used in various genres of poetry, fiction, and lyric essay, as well as movement/verbal hybrids. From generative discussions, there will be prompts issued, and we will have an opportunity to workshop our writing in a safe and encouraging environment.”

This course is great for beginners as well as seasoned writers. “At the end of the five weeks,” says Thea, “there will be a virtual reading to celebrate our time together.”