NAHANT — Two local authors, Bobbi Lerman and Jen Safrey, will be hosting a writing workshop on March 12.
These sessions, dubbed the Scribbler’s Ink workshops, are appropriate for writers of all levels.
“Scribbler’s Ink workshops vary to cover a wide range of topics and the elements of the craft of writing,” said Lerman. “Our workshops are suited for writers of any level and for any genre. We focus on positive, constructive feedback to help strengthen the writing voice in a safe, comfortable space where the writing voice can be found and strengthened, blocks can be broken through, and story ideas can be discovered.”
Lerman said attendees can expect the first workshop this year — which was delayed due to COVID-19 — to focus on prompt-writing, which consists of a topic that writers can start formulating ideas around. This type of class, she said, “is designed to awaken the muse and get the hand moving across the page by writing to timed prompts that range from five-minute warm ups to 30-minute-or-more intensive sessions.”
The prompt-writing workshop is held twice a year, according to Lerman. Other workshops that will be offered this year include lessons on dialogue, setting the mood, opening hooks, and travel writing, she said.
Lerman said she holds the writing workshops in her Nahant home because she finds the setting inspirational; she enjoys writing in a town that is surrounded by water, she said.
“At my house, I have a large space where people can spread out and enjoy the warmth of a cozy fire in the winter, my garden in the summer, and the beautiful views in all seasons,” said Lerman.
She said the workshops are typically limited to 12 people, but COVID protocols will only allow for 10 people for this upcoming session. Lerman and her partner, Safrey, enjoy teaching these workshops because they help people break through their writing fears and create a sense of community for writers.
“We love helping other writers break through the fears that cause their blocks to appear in the first place, and helping people discover their writing voice,” said Lerman. “It’s the satisfaction of watching a person realize they have stories inside them that they have been holding in that need to be told, even if they are the only ones who will ever read them.”
She said it’s also rewarding to watch participants end each session with a new story idea, one that they are excited to work on at home.
“But mostly,” she said, “it’s the inspirational energy of spending the day devoted to writing, with other writers, getting to know them, exchanging ideas, brainstorming, and engaging in the overall camaraderie that is invaluable. not only for the workshop participants, but for ourselves as well. Writing tends to be a solitary business.”
Lerman, a published author, has been teaching these workshops for 15 years. The March 12 session costs $80 and includes food and giveaways. Writing begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.
