THE PROGRAM is based on writing exercises and guided constructive critiquing designed to keep the writer connected with craft and to keep the work always in motion. The focus is on clean, sound writing no matter the genre; fiction, non-fiction, personal essay, memoir, spoken word and performance pieces. Through weekly ongoing classes several books have moved to publication. One-on-one sessions are for more individualized work. Editing is available and charged according to the project’s needs
“How can I know what I think until I see what I say?”
–E.M. Forster
“A writer should concern himself with whatever stirs his fancy, stirs his heart, and unlimbers his typewriter.”
–E.B. White
talking on paper
In the first place, I had no idea I would ever be in Singapore and in the second place, I had no idea I would ever return. Almost year ago, a young man from Singapore, Kamil Haque who had been a student of mine at AMDA here in LA, returned to Singapore to open an acting academy. “It’s been my dream,” he said.
He phoned last fall and asked if I would come there and teach. I am retired from forty years as an actress and now teach creative writing workshops. This made me unsure what might be a good fit for Kamil’s population of students. Should it be acting or writing? I eventually landed on story telling. Actors benefit by using their own stories as jumping off places for scene study, for creating monologues and developing their own performance material. I said yes to going. After all, who am I to say “no” to a section of the globe I had never visited: Southeast Asia? At 75, how many opportunities, with wings, would come headed my way? Continue reading “Singapore Redux”
