The Writer’s Shadow
Exploring Your Inner World
The Writer's Shadow is a generative writing series designed to help us connect with our subconscious mind. Each series will explore a different aspect of personal or social archetypes. This is a safe and brave space to learn more about the hidden side of our own personalities. We take inspiration from our shadow selves to inform our creative work on a deep level.
Summer 2021: The Divine Feminine
"Find the goddess inside yourself instead of looking for the god in someone else."
-Francesca Lia Block
We all carry it inside us—the creative force. Whatever your gender identity, the goddess lives inside us all if we choose to search for her wisdom. Do you want to take a fresh approach to your writing practice? Are you ready to revisit literature from the matriarchal point of view for a change? Isn’t the patriarchy tired? In this class, we will read sample poems inspired by various divine feminine archetypes. Then we will have a chance to write quietly and share our writing with a supportive and diverse group of peers.
What You’ll Get:
* brief overview of the Sacred Feminine archetypes
* sample poems by various poets
* writing exercises inspired by the sample poems
* an intimate and supportive group with which to share your first drafts
Week 1: The Lover Archetype
Week 2: The Warrior Archetype
NOTE: There is NO class July 4. We will skip July 4 and pick it up again the following week.
Week 3: The Queen Mother Archetype
Week 4: The Goddess Archetype
Week 5: The Priestess Archetype
Week 6: The Wise Woman Archetype
What You’ll Need:
* Zoom account
* Laptop, computer or phone with Zoom installed
* Pen and Paper (optional)
* Microsoft Word to download handout
Surprise the Line Diversity Statement:
We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. We believe in empowering more writing on the page and encouraging more diverse voices in the world. We operate with an anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-sexist, anti-classist, anti-xenophobic, nondenominational, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-environment and global worldview. We bring the values of integrity, generosity, compassion, critical thinking, and equity into every workshop.
For a full calendar of events, visit our website. For new class announcements, join our email list.
About the Teacher:
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Arminé Iknadossian’s family fled to California when she was four years old to escape the civil war. After graduating from UCLA, Iknadossian earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Antioch University. The author of All That Wasted Fruit (Main Street Rag), Iknadossian’s work is included in Whale Road Review, Southern Florida Poetry Journal, KYSO Flash/MacQueen’s Quarterly and The American Journal of Poetry. She has received fellowships from Idyllwild Arts, The Los Angeles Writing Project and Otis College of Art and Design. She lives in Long Beach, California where she offers writing workshops and private manuscript consultations. Discover more at www.armineiknadossian.com.