Our tours are based around this sense of discovery of the story of a waterfall, a river, a mountain, a people in a certain time. Our storytelling founders have a long history as writers; we are bringing this history to our new online experiences.
These experiences are being held on Zoom; once you sign up for an online experience, you will be sent a link via email. All that you need is a device with audio and video capability, and somewhat reliable internet service for the experience. We also suggest joining from a quiet space for your own comfort.
Virtual seat at a Portland writer’s table. 2 hours. $35
Led by Sarah Gilbert, award-winning creative non-fiction writer and Around Portland Tours co-founder; and guest writing instructor Robin Jennings.
In-person collaboration with writing has been one of the central tools I have used to develop my own voice; it’s one that is invaluable at the early stages of a writing practice. But equally important is developing skills at giving feedback to other writers; it’s key in becoming a better writer yourself.
This experience is your seat at a writer’s group modeled after the one Cheryl Strayed, Chuck Palahniuk and Lidia Yuknavitch collaborated in here in Portland. You’ll come prepared with 1-3 pages of your own writing (up to 750 words). We’ll introduce ourselves and I’ll introduce my co-host, another writer I’ve selected to participate.
I’ll talk briefly about how I infuse my own writing with the mythical, botanical and historical stories I tell in my in-person experiences, or “threaded essays”; and my co-host will talk about their own writing approach.
Think of this as a writing feedback development workshop; my co-host and I will start by reading short pieces and giving feedback to each other. Each participant will then have the opportunity to read the piece they’ve brought to our virtual meeting. After each reading, my co-host and I will give our immediate feedback, taking more notes to deliver to each participant individually afterward.
Every session brings up common themes, so we’ll use the last minutes to share what has come up for us to apply to your future writing and life.
Once restrictions are lifted, these experiences will also be offered in person in our space in inner southeast Portland.