Writing Workshops for Veterans
Hi there -
I served in the Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst and an Intelligence Briefer from 1985-1989. After I got out of the service, it wasn't easy to figure out what I wanted to do. After all, when I'd entered the military at 17, I was told from day one what to wear, where to go, what to believe, who to defend, who to oppose, basically, how to think. It took me many years, failed attempts, great friends, and good expensive therapy to shake free from all that well-intentioned programming. Finally, when I got down to it, I still loved writing and performing, which, lo and behold, was what I'd love doing since I was a kid. So I took a bunch of improv classes at Second City and UCB and went back to get my college degree (which was why I had enlisted in the first place). Last December I graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University.
I wanted to share some of the thing I've learned, so I started a few free writing and creativity workshops for veterans. Currently I teach a weekly class in Bldg 256 at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration. And I teach a free Writing Workshop for vets and community once a month at Antioch University in Culver City.
The Schedule for the 2012 Writing Workshop is below. Classes are free and combine writing exercises, music, poetry and improvisational games. We also have tea and cookies. Yes, that's right, cookies. If you're interested in joining a class or if you have any questions please email me at fitzsimmons.april@gmail.com. And just in case you're wondering ... No it doesn't matter if you have experience. It's better to know nothing and show up - please come!
Welcome home and thank you for your service.
When:
Saturday January 28th, 2012, from 1p-4p – Room A1014
Saturday February 25th from 1p-4p – Room A1010
Saturday March 31st from 1p-4p – Room A1010
Saturday April 28th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday May 26th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday June 30th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday July 28th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday August 25th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday September 29th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday October 27th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday November 10th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday December 1st from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Where: Antioch University at 400 Corporate Point Culver City, CA 90230 - Please check the lobby for ROOM #'s. Parking can be a bit challenging so please give yourself time to find parking on the street or to walk up from the bus drop off.
What if I can't make it to all the sessions? No worries! Jump in and participate when you can!
What should I bring? Please bring a notebook and a pen/pencil
What: A Writer’s Workshop is Free for Veterans and our Community. Do you have a story to tell and you aren’t sure how to proceed? Are you blocked in your writing or your creativity? Come to this workshop to explore what’s possible in your writing. No experience is necessary.
Who: April Fitzsimmons is an Air Force Veteran and a writer in Culver City. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has been teaching creative expression and writing workshops to Veterans since 2007. She developed a unique curriculum that encourages Vets (and everyone!) to restore creativity and to use writing to enhance their life.
The space for this workshop was generously donated by Antioch University.
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” – E.L. Doctorow
I served in the Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst and an Intelligence Briefer from 1985-1989. After I got out of the service, it wasn't easy to figure out what I wanted to do. After all, when I'd entered the military at 17, I was told from day one what to wear, where to go, what to believe, who to defend, who to oppose, basically, how to think. It took me many years, failed attempts, great friends, and good expensive therapy to shake free from all that well-intentioned programming. Finally, when I got down to it, I still loved writing and performing, which, lo and behold, was what I'd love doing since I was a kid. So I took a bunch of improv classes at Second City and UCB and went back to get my college degree (which was why I had enlisted in the first place). Last December I graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University.
I wanted to share some of the thing I've learned, so I started a few free writing and creativity workshops for veterans. Currently I teach a weekly class in Bldg 256 at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration. And I teach a free Writing Workshop for vets and community once a month at Antioch University in Culver City.
The Schedule for the 2012 Writing Workshop is below. Classes are free and combine writing exercises, music, poetry and improvisational games. We also have tea and cookies. Yes, that's right, cookies. If you're interested in joining a class or if you have any questions please email me at fitzsimmons.april@gmail.com. And just in case you're wondering ... No it doesn't matter if you have experience. It's better to know nothing and show up - please come!
Welcome home and thank you for your service.
When:
Saturday January 28th, 2012, from 1p-4p – Room A1014
Saturday February 25th from 1p-4p – Room A1010
Saturday March 31st from 1p-4p – Room A1010
Saturday April 28th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday May 26th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday June 30th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday July 28th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday August 25th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday September 29th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday October 27th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday November 10th from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Saturday December 1st from 1p-4p - Room A1010
Where: Antioch University at 400 Corporate Point Culver City, CA 90230 - Please check the lobby for ROOM #'s. Parking can be a bit challenging so please give yourself time to find parking on the street or to walk up from the bus drop off.
What if I can't make it to all the sessions? No worries! Jump in and participate when you can!
What should I bring? Please bring a notebook and a pen/pencil
What: A Writer’s Workshop is Free for Veterans and our Community. Do you have a story to tell and you aren’t sure how to proceed? Are you blocked in your writing or your creativity? Come to this workshop to explore what’s possible in your writing. No experience is necessary.
Who: April Fitzsimmons is an Air Force Veteran and a writer in Culver City. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has been teaching creative expression and writing workshops to Veterans since 2007. She developed a unique curriculum that encourages Vets (and everyone!) to restore creativity and to use writing to enhance their life.
The space for this workshop was generously donated by Antioch University.
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” – E.L. Doctorow
