Izzy Stringham, the owner of White River Books, and Jessica Amber Barnum, a teacher and author, are pairing up to offer free workshops for community members seeking a group setting to explore creative writing. Stringham has worked with Barnum before to do a memoir writing workshop. With Barnum’s teaching experience, White River Books will host monthly gatherings from May through September.
“No one needs to have a project going or be a ‘Writer,’ but just interested in creative writing, the process of putting a pen to paper,” Stringham wrote in an email. “Jess [Barnum] has a wonderful method of connecting to muses and inspiration and doing writing prompt exercises that get straight to the task: actually writing. Our hope is that anyone looking to learn or practice or just have fun with words will come and participate.” The workshop is free and open to all, with donations accepted.
The Sopris Sun caught up with Barnum to get a better sense of her experience, learn what it means to be a writer and share what workshop attendees can expect.
Sopris Sun:Please introduce yourself.
Barnum:I am Jessica Amber Barnum or Ms. Jess (to my students). I’ve lived in the Valley for five years and moved here to be with my husband and my two stepchildren.
We are all poetic masterpieces in momentum. This is what I’ve been privileged to witness during my 30 years teaching English language arts, creative and intuitive writing, literacy and mindfulness. I am a teacher and author. I offer private sessions, classes and camps that empower all ages to mindfully sprout their reading and writing skills, voices, talents, imagination and self-trust. We jump “write” in!
SS:What prompted the workshop?
B: Writing is my nectar for a mindful head and heart, my playground for calm, creativity, joy and sensibility … I absolutely love witnessing other people’s writing journey and hearing and reading what they write … Also, the world is craving opportunities to raise the vibration of connection, and writing does that — the flurry of feathers that empowers whatever wants to take flight.
Izzy and I wanted to offer the sanctuary of her bookstore, a quiet space surrounded by both the literature on bookshelves and the frequency of millions of muses that have helped manifest those masterpieces. How inspiring to write in a place where you are surrounded by author’s words, books and pages and pages of wildernesses! I call it Scribe Tribe Osmosis!
SS:What do you hope the takeaway will be for participants?
B:I believe in the sacredness of self-discovery, and I believe that this belief is what empowers mindfulness in writers … When writers trust their journey, the wilderness of ourselves and the world lights up colossal notches.
SS:Should folks attend all sessions or is it possible to pick and choose?
B: Izzy and I are thrilled to offer the Creative Writing Club monthly with a free-flow vibe. Anyone can attend anytime. No registration required. As writers, it’s important to listen to the mood of the moment. Do I feel like writing tonight in the company of others? … Of course, there’s always the option to attend even when you don’t feel like it. That’s often when the muses arise with wings spread and ideas soaring! Muses are moody-mood busters!
SS:Why do you think people should attend?
B:When a muse flings an idea through you, the world can feel it. That’s a good thing. When we write, and we are our authentic selves in that process and we trust that the layers of our voice (subconscious-conscious) is a vessel of mindful empowerment, the world is elevated. What an honor.
The next Creative Writing Club meets on Thursday, June 6 at White River Books from 6 to 7:30pm. The club will meet at the same time on the following Thursdays: July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26.