FEARLESS WRITING WORKSHOPS

Why Crescent Dragonwagon's Fearless Writing
is for working writers, "blocked" writers, would-be writers,
and even people who don't think of themselves as writers

As writers and as human beings, we all periodically find ourselves stopped cold.

• By doubt in our own abilities.

• By uncertainties about the direction or style of particular piece of writing (or other project) we're working on.
  
  
• By unexpected change, demands on our time, illnesses (ours or those of someone we love), or unfamiliar economic, technological, or social conditions.
  
  
• By fear of the audacity of what we hope and wish to achieve and the gap between where we are.
  

Fearless Writing offers a way to stop being stopped.  

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   UPCOMING FEARLESS WRITING WORKSHOPS & RETREATS  

  

 
 September 2-5, 2011, Labor Day Weekend / Vermont (Friday night, all day Saturday & Sunday, Monday morning) 

The third annual "Fearless Writing: the Whole Enchilada" takes place on Crescent's home-ground: literally at her home & garden on 35 acres of Vermont hilltop, just outside the small village of Saxtons River.

  REGISTER HERE

Here is a captioned photo-album which tells all about this particular Fearless, and how Crescent came to develop the workshop.  

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November, 11-November 13, 2011,  / Arkansas  (Friday night, all day Saturday, Sunday until 1:00 p.m.)
    

Located on 32 mountaintop acres in the Ozarks, Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Center is just outside of Fayetteville, Arkansas; close to town, but but high above it. Our Fearless group will have the Yancey House, with 12 guest rooms and a lowkey meeting space. Learn more, explore the facility, and/or register online.  

 

 

 

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Why --- and how --- Fearless works

Some of us perceive the obstacles which stop us from writing as interior --- doubts, inabilities. Others see the difficulties as primarily outer and circumstantial: if only there were more time, spouses or children or elders who were less dependent.

In either case, Fearless teaches students how to harness the anxiety generated by chaotic or unknown conditions or apparently immutable limitations as a powerful creative force.

Instead of being stopped by fear, students learn to work with it --- to increase their tolerance level and act anyway, instead of waiting for the uncomfortable feelings to end.

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a working map of the creative process

Fearless Writing is an unfailing map: one Crescent uses herself, over and over, even after 48 published books in five different genres (she'll be adding a sixth genre in 2011, when her book on the Fearless Writing method will be published by Ten Speed Press in 2011. 25+ pages of its core ideas are included as part of the workshop).

Built around twelve percepts to which writers will return time and again, the workshop itself is

• practical: you'll recognize common patches of psychological quicksand
  
• effective: you'll have myriad techniques to avoid getting stuck
  
• creative: you'll be eager to try them, because they work a little differently each time
  
• serious: you'll start giving your work and its process the respect & time it needs
  
• playful: you'll have fun --- truly! --- and be surprised by what happens next, over and over, long after you return home
• tough: you'll quit dancing around your stuff
• tender: you'll be in a compassionate, attentive, collegial atmosphere
  

 Fearless Writing turns what look like insurmountable obstacles into the material from which we write, and indeed, from which we can build all-around thriving lives.

Fearless Writing's practices and principles spill over, cornucopia-like: from writing, to creativity, to problem solving, to business and personal life.

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how long does it take to get it?
 

All Fearless Writing workshops and retreats are grounded in the same luminous and transformative approach, but each is structured a little differently depending on location and schedule.

The basic material can be covered in three hours, and it will have an effect. But for students to develop a fully fleshed-out writing practice, and to experience first hand how its principles work, allow at least a weekend. Here is information on the next upcoming Fearless.

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the ridiculously audacious money-back no-hassle guarantee

No matter when and where you take a Fearless Writing workshop, one thing you won't have to worry about is "Will this be a waste of money?" Fearless is the only writing workshop that offers an unconditional, no-hassle, complete money-back guarantee:

Crescent fully and unconditionally guarantees Fearless Writing. If, after attending
all sessions, I am not replete with satisfaction, insight, and the ability to write with greater ease and pleasure, I will email her a request for a refund, with the address
to which a check should be sent. She will gladly refund my registration fee in full
by check.

 

 When you register for a Fearless, you'll see that guarantee in writing, right there, before you commit one single cent. 

Why? Crescent is that sure of Fearless's power to deliver: to help you discover your next step, taken from and towards your best self and your true writing  voice.

 

(For the a list of further upcoming Fearless Writing workshops, see public speaking calendar.)

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So what about fear?

To truly use your misgivings, doubts, and fears--- to actually be powered by them instead of avoiding or being paralyzed by them --- takes not just abstract understanding but experience. That is why a longer Fearless is better: there's more time to experience, and watch others experience, the remarkable shifts that come through perceptual shifts and writing practice.

The group travels to this --- mostly joyfully and with a sense of surprise and delight --- in a variety of ways.

A Fearless Writing workshop includes:

• twelve percepts which will change the way you write, and understand writing, forever
  
  
• irresistible in-class writing practices, including
  
  
  • scavenger hunt writing
  • found & fortune cookie poems
  • free-writing
  • dialogues & acrostics
  • fan mail & hate mail
  • and many, many more, each of which prove "the story wants to be told"
    
    
• student-centered discussion and interactive lecture
  
  
• optional reading aloud, and being read aloud read to
  
  
• a little improv and movement (in some retreats, guest instructors teach classes in yoga and NIA).

Varied but simple techniques; powerful results.

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Your Fearless co-writers will be
the perfect group for you

The process is individual and private at its core, yet is always strengthened and enhanced by the unique make-up of the group. Each Fearless is made up of writers, would-be writers, and non-writers, all at varying levels of experience. This mix adds to the workshop's power.

You can be sure that your Fearless Leader --- that would be Crescent Dragonwagon --- will push you and everyone else in the workshop.

You can also be certain she'll do it respectfully: She'll listen closely, working with you where you are as well as where you want to be (sometimes including discovering the later). You'll   move decisively towards your next step.

Her respect extends not just to individuals and the group, but towards the process itself. The result? You'll leave inspired and recharged, with

• greater trust in your own abilities
  
  
• an eagerness to get to work
  
  
•  many writing practices to help you through your individual sticky spots
  
  
• greatly enhanced individual clarity
  
  
• a renewed or rediscovered sense of purpose and direction in writing

Fearless avoids "workshop syndrome" (you get it until you get home, then it fades). Instead, each student is helped to to develop lasting skills for self-mentoring.

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Making use of the one-of-a-kind materials life gives each of us;
owning our stories, expertise, voices

Though Crescent has taught Fearless for years (in part because she still learns from it every time)  she's still amazed --- as are her students --- that something so much fun also turns what look like insurmountable obstacles into the material from which we write.

And not just write, but become more and more able build all-around thriving lives. Over and over, at the end of each workshop, Crescent hears, "It's not just Fearless Writing, it's Fearless Living!"

From writing to creativity; from creativity to life as a whole, Fearless is an overflowing cornucopia.

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Comments

[Carol Meadors]

Crescent:
I just read your article in Soire, and was touched by your words and my own memories of you, Ned, the Dairy Hollow House, and reading your books to my children who are grown now. What a magical evening we had at dinner in Eureka Springs on Valentine's night years ago! We stayed at your B&B several times, and always felt that the experience was worth ten times what we paid. You are an unforgetable lady. Thanks for the memories.

Dr. Carol Meadors
Little Rock

[Tracy Young]

Can you add fearless cooking to the mix?

[CD]

Tracy, it's there... just kind of informally. When I tried to actually put it in as such, couldn't make the schedule work, and my main focus IS writing.

However, if this one works as I expect to, I'll do it annually, and I'll find a way to incorporate this piece as I'd first envisioned. It takes a slightly longer retreat, too, since I use a different part of myself to teach cooking than to teach writing... But thank you for asking!

cd

[Masters Dissertation]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!

[Marty Martindale]

Hi Crescent,

Do you remember me from IACP 2000, Providence and Greenbrier 2001? You are still my most inspiring writing teacher.

Currently, I'm compiling a collection of food short stories and need a boost. I also can get away this summer if you can suggest a colony/workshop.

My site, Food Site of the Day, now nine years old is coming out very soon in a total remake.

Like to hear from you,

Marty

[coach sale]

summer beauty is night most. No doubt beautiful , jet-black bright dark moonlit night night, also has uncounted firefly sons dance trippingly. Be also having one two fireflies son in night, be flashing with the dim gleam in flying , this scene even if being a fine drizzle's be charming.

[Ben]

Can you add fearless cooking to the mix? http://www.hotfilemediafire.com

[[email protected]]

Crescent, No more Fearless in Italy? I always thought I'd do that with you. I'm contemplating Sept. 2-5, next, in Vermont.

Hope you are well.

Chalise Bourque
We met in Tulsa a few years ago. I have a book Rain Forest Girl, that I gave to you, so you might remember me a little.

[Nancy Sadler]

Dear Crescent,
It was great to meet you at the Cornbread Gospels lecture at the Historic Arkansas Museum. (I was the "Half a Moon and One Whole Star" story).
Please put me on your email list as I would like to take your Fearless Writing workshop sometime in the Future.
Your have a wonderful essence that really glows. Don't forget to check out my little blog "Spooky Mom Cooks".
Sincerely
Nancy Sadler

[Elliptical reviews]

No offense, but if there's a facebook like button, it'll be much easier for me to share.

[Pharmacist Prospect]

It is very interesting and worth reading. It has intrigued me a lot. I kept reading it till last line. Keep posting similar stuff!

[tehan carey]

Dear Crescent,
So fun to find your wonderful thoughtful rich blog. Your children's book Home Place illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is such a timeless family favorite. My daughter who had me read it over and over is in college.
Was lead to find your website curiously through seeing your name in Nancy McDemott's fabulous and life changing quick and easy thia cookbook. What a wonderful range you spread your talents over. What an inspiration. maybe i will be lucky enough to attend one of your writers workshops one day..
With immense gratitude and admiration as i head to the library for all your books and those by your bedside.
Tehan Carey