specialized seminars
Creative Writing for Social Work
I had the pleasure of teaching my unique immersive 4-day seminar at the University of Iowa School of Social Work for 30 years. Ideal for universities, nonprofits, hospitals, health care facilities, and independent groups. I now offer this groundbreaking seminar for hospitals, nonprofits, universities, and other groups/organizations. Contact me for a complimentary 30-minute discovery call.
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Explore the fundamentals of creative writing and how writing can facilitate personal transformation and social change.
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For human service providers seeking to:
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integrate creative writing into their practice
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adopt creative writing as a method of reflective self-care
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learn the fundamentals of creative writing as a foundation for this practice
Creative Writing Master Class
University of Iowa
School of Social Work
In response to numerous requests for a Master Class, this workshop was added to the popular Creative Writing Seminar in 2019.
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Iowa Now published an article highlighting the history and mission of Creative Writing for Social Work and my innovative curriculum and approach to teaching these seminars.
speaking and events
HIGHLIGHTS
The Activist & Artist in Residence program at Kripalu
Selected to participate in Kripalu’s Activist and Artist in Residence program, a retreat dedicated to rest, reflection and holistic self-renewal. This recognition affirms my enduring commitment to teaching and practicing creative writing as a tool for personal transformation and social justice activism. During my stay I focused on the final chapters of my memoir, Ghost Stories: Writing to Heal.
WRITING GROUPS
join a dedicated writing community to support and encourage your writing practice
Online and in-person writing groups explore techniques for amplifying the spirit and purpose of participants’ writing, with emphasis on how creative writing can facilitate transformation. Works-in-progress are welcome, but not necessary.​
AVAILABLE IN-PERSON, ONLINE, OR HYBRID
specialized workshops
Customized Workshops:
Presented a virtual workshop series,​
inclusive of writers at various levels of experience, at Vinton Public Library, Vinton, Iowa, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts
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Nature is our Muse
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Presented for several years at the Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia of Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For Caregivers and People Living with Chronic Conditions
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Journaling
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Memoir
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Rebel Poetry
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Presented at 6th Annual Psychological Trauma & Juvenile Justice Conference, Des Moines, Iowa
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Fiction as Memoir: Externalizing Your Inner Apocalypse
Popular Workshops:
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Writing Cli-fi: Changing the World One Word at a Time
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Creative Writing for Social Justice
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Journal Writing: Writing for Wellbeing
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Writing Memoir: Truth or Fact
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Externalize Your Inner Apocalypse with Creative Writing
in my client's words:
“Ellen recently developed and led a virtual writing workshop series for patrons of our library, and our local writing group is still reaping the benefits of her guidance. Time spent with Ellen will improve your writing, and in the case of our library, can also strengthen communities. Our group is comprised of beginners and experienced writers, and everything in between. Everyone agreed that Ellen helped us all approach our writing in new and exciting ways. As an example, one participant had been working on a piece of fiction for several years. After a session on poetry with Ellen, she devoted the next two weeks to exploring this new style at every turn. It breathed new life into her fiction as well. "
KELLY HENKLE, MHS, BS, LIBRARY DIRECTOR, VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY