"The Waking of a Woman’s Voice" --
Heidi led a four-hour woman’s writing workshop on journaling. On Saturday, March 29th, fourteen enthusiastic women participated in discussions on why we journal, what is our journaling goal, what we put in our journals and what happens to them after we’re gone. Click here to read Heidi Hart's bio. Click here to see photos and read more about the workshop (opens in a new window).

"Oral Histories and Family Stories" --
Michelle's workshop explained how to gather and write oral histories and family stories. She covered subjects like how to make initial contact, how to conduct and record interviews, and how to transcribe your recordings. Her Master's thesis focused on oral histories of women from Hillsdale polygamists and on Mexican and Korean immigrants. Click here to see photos and read more about the workshop (opens in a new window).

"Writing & Rewriting the Poem" --
On Saturday, April 28th, Katharine Coles traveled to Moab to read at the open mic and teach a writing workshop at the MARC. Her workshop discussed different techniques writers use when they revise their own writing, especially poetry. Coles said she had to beware of her 'Victorian maiden', which would try to sneak romantic language into her poems.

At the open mic on Friday night (April 27th), Coles was the featured reader. She read several poems about Darwin and a selection from a new novel she wrote about her grandparents. Her visit to Utah was partially funded by the Utah Arts Council. You can she Coles' calendar on the UAC website at: http://arts.utah.gov/services/poet_laureate/index.html

"Metaphor: A Writer's Tool" --
Sands Hall is an author, playwrite and actress. She is the author of the books, "Tools of the Writer's Craft" and "Catching Heaven" - she also wrote the play "Fair Play" about Wallace Stegner. You can read more about Sands Hall and her accomplishments on her website at http://www.sandshall.com. In this workshop, Sands discussed poems and stories that were written as a metaphor. Click here to see photos and read more about the workshop (opens in a new window).

Susan Ossana has published three books set in the Moab area. Susan led a Writing Workshop on Saturday, April 29th. Her workshop focused on story beginnings, prompts, and characterization. She also presented information about the book publishing market today, including trends, how to publish book-length fiction, and the need for an agent.
Click here to see photos and read more about the workshop (opens in a new window).

Page Lambert titled her writing workshop, "New Directions - In Our Lives and Our Creative Work." She held her workshop at the MARC. Although Page lives in Golden, Colorado, she visits Moab often. During her August visit, Page agreed to hold a writing workshop at the MARC for Moab Poets and Writers members and guests. Click here to see photos and notes about the workshop. To learn more about Page's writing and awards, click here.

Rod Miller is an award-winning poet and story-teller. More than eighty of Rod's poems and stories have appeared in print. Born and raised in Goshen, Utah, Rod lives with his family in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Rod Miller has won awards for his cowboy poetry. Click here for more information about Rod. In 2005, Rod presented two writing workshops during Moab's Western Stars event, the MP&W cowboy poetry event.

Dialogue-Writing Workshop with Mara Shurgot

Mara enjoys writing fiction and one-act plays. She named this workshop, "Writing Wince-Free Dialogue: Tips, Tools, and Exercises." She admits that she involuntarily winces when she encounters bad dialogue, whether in a novel, in a movie, or on the stage. Mara designed her writing workshop for writers of all ages, levels, and interests, and during the workshop, she offered attendees several dialogue-writing exercises. Click here for photos of Mara's writing workshop.

Poetry Workshop with Robert Dana

Robert Dana is an award-winning poet. He led a poetry-writing workshop in Moab on September 25th. That evening, at the Moab Information Center, he read some of the poetry he has published. The reading was free and open to the public. Robert has served as visiting writer on numerous college campuses and now serves as Iowa’s Poet Laureate. Click here for more information about Robert.

Rod Miller is an award-winning poet and story-teller. More than eighty of Rod's poems and stories have appeared in print. Born and raised in Goshen, Utah, Rod lives with his family in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Rod Miller has won awards for his cowboy poetry. Click here for more information about Rod.

Writing enthusiasts met at Eklecticafe to join award-winning author Ellen Meloy for a Hike and Writing Workshop. The group met at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Even though the weather did not cooperate as hoped, workshop attendees studied writing and took a nature walk in the north part of town. Click here for more information about Ellen.
Postscript: Ellen Meloy has since passed away.

Dr. Brewer has served as Utah's Poet Laureate since January 2003. He has published numerous books of poetry and has conducted writing workshops throughout the western states. He received his doctorate in creative writing from the University of Utah and taught writing at Utah State University for 32 years. Click here for more information about Dr. Brewer.
Postscript: Dr. Brewer has since passed away.

Mary Sojourner is a writer, an activist, and an NPR commentator. She lives in Flagstaff and is a frequent visitor to Moab. Her column, "Writers on the Range," is published by High Country News. Through her writing, she shares her passion for the land and the environment. Ms. Sojourner encourages writers and has published several books.

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