Can Writing About Hard Times Feel Good? Get Started on Your Story

WRITING HARD STORIES CLASS BEGINS SEPTEMBER 13

ENROLL HERE (Early Bird Discount through Aug. 1)

During my MFA program in creative writing, my life changed. I felt comfortable writing about crisis times and less secretive about having bipolar illness. Just writing the bare bones of what happened felt like a relief. Today, there's so much evolving research on how your brain changes (for the better) when you write expressively. You don't even have to write that much. I can't wait to continue this conversation in a fast-paced 4-week creative writing class!

Overview

Week 1 : I provide prompts that may take you in surprising directions as you discover the story/stories you are waiting to tell. You will leave confident and energized to explore at least one potential story for the next 3 weeks.
Week 2 is all about your narrator, which is you. What happened to you? Is it a secret? You will tap into the facts of your story as you recount them. You will leave understanding narration, interior thoughts “interiority,” and dialogue.
Week 3 Backdrop: Place, setting, scene and supporting characters that were critical to your story. You will recall vibrant details that deepen mood and add emotional weight. You will leave with a rich, cinematic story revision.
Week 4 Perspective. Time to to process what your story meant then and what it means to you now. This “processing” may not make it into the actual story, but it will help you understand what your story is about—reaching beyond the events of what happened. You will leave with a story, essay, chapter, podcast guest story—the sky’s the limit.

ENROLL HERE (Early Bird Discount through Aug. 1)

CLASS MEETS 4 Sundays on Zoom: 

September 13, 20, 27 & October 4)

3-4:15 PST / 6-7:15 ET 

Transcript

Student Praise For Janine

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Hi, this is Stephanie. I've learned so much from Janine. Her advice is always spot on, and her feedback gets me thinking about my writing in a new way. She's done an amazing job of guiding me in my creative process without pushing me in a direction that didn't feel authentic. She's honest with her feedback without being judgmental and is compassionate and thoughtful. She was one of the first people to believe in my ability as a writer, and her words of encouragement still help me every day.

Writing Class Details And Discount

Janine 0:33

Hi, it's Janine from Bipolar She. I will be teaching a writing class in September called Writing Hard Stories. Class is now enrolling at Bipolarshe.com. There is a link and class description also in the show notes. And if you register by August 1st, you will receive a

Turning Crises Into Creative Nonfiction

Janine 0:53

discount. When getting my MFA in creative nonfiction, I wrote down in story form all the details of each mental health crisis I had. Before I wrote these stories or essays, my life felt secretive. But when I claim these facts as my own and put them in story form with remembered dialogue, setting, emotion, I felt better. When writing from life experience, your memory is ultimately your truth. And when you get something truthful down on the page, there's science to back up how your mental and physical health can improve. Because this podcast is about mental illness, in class, you are encouraged to write about times in your life that were impacted by illness. But you can write about any time in your life. The only requirement being that it was difficult. Working with secrets, moments of shame, times when you feel like you lost it all. Those are the subjects I will help you excavate and shape into story.

Four Week Structure And Craft Tools

Janine 1:57

Week one, we'll use journaling techniques to discover at least one story that feels urgent and empowering to write. Week two, we'll look at ways to reveal yourself as a character, working with scenes, dialogue, and inner thoughts. Week three, we'll look at the backdrop of your story, adding sensory details of place and setting. And week four, we'll focus on perspective, contrasting the story of your past with your current wisdom. And during the four weeks, we'll also have a conversation on creativity, neuroplasticity, resiliency, and all these great byproducts of writing. And this class isn't just for those wanting to write, it will help you tell any story, including maybe even creating a podcast episode.

Why Stories Normalize Mental Health

Janine 2:50

I'm excited about class, and I know so many of you have powerful stories to share. Your storytelling helps normalize mental health challenges for yourself and for those who hear your words. The guests on Bipolar She fearlessly brings stories, often harrowing, that make others feel less alone. So let's do it. Let's tackle the hard stuff in September. More details at bipolarshe.com. And as always, thanks for listening.

More Testimonials And Class Impact

SPEAKER_02 3:24

Hi, this is Jessica. Over the years, I've taken multiple classes with Janine. She was able to offer critique that both encouraged and inspired me to keep moving forward and to strengthen my work. I've also asked for Janine's consulting skills on my work in progress. Her insights helped me develop my writing further. I always felt like I could approach Janine whenever I needed writing advice and encouragement. It is amazing and valuable to work with her, and I really appreciate her skills.

SPEAKER_01 3:53

I've taken Janine's writing and journaling classes and had great experiences. I appreciated her as a teacher because I learned crap without being overwhelmed or being made to feel like a dummy. In the journaling classes, she was able to coax us to dig deep for insights. Sometimes we went to painful places, but it was always good.