Creative writing workshop will build community through storytelling

Everyone has a story to tell.

A Community of Stories, which is a two-day creative writing workshop, will bring individuals from all walks of life together so they can share those stories with otherwise unlikely recipients.

“Through the power of our words, we have the ability to change the world, and when people agree to come together like this, it creates an impact,” says Wendy Braun, head of creative writing at the School for Creative & Performing Arts and founder of the workshop.

“So many people are silenced here—you’ll hear one story, and it’s like it’s the only story, or the only voice.”

At the two-day workshop, high school students, teachers, professional writers, community members and guests from local organizations like City Gospel Mission, Our Daily Bread and Tender Mercies will join together to engage in flash fiction, poetry, spoken word and other forms of writing.

It’s a chance, Braun say, for people to get to know each other and break down barriers.

“One thing I noticed about writing workshops and events is they tend to be closed off to people who have a CV or resume that proves they’re a writer,” Braun says. “At SCPA, some of my kids have money, some don’t at all. But I was able to get enough people together who literally out of the goodness of their heart thought that this was a good cause.”

Do Good:

• Register for the event, which takes place March 22-23. Participants must register by February 21.

• Contact Clare Blankemeyer if you're a writer interested in participating, or if you're willing to donate snacks or bottles of water for workshop participants.

• Spread the word about the upcoming workshop, and encourage your friends to attend.

By Brittany York

Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.