To facilitate a writer's workshop, or not

[vaneramos]

This morning at University of Guelph, The Arboretum

Another photo is posted in texture.

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On May 14, The Waterloo-Wellington Rainbow Chorus will host something called "Community Cultural Connections." It's actually a one-day conference offering workshops on a variety of topics. It's purpose is to raise funds for a concert at Carnegie Hall in February 2006, in which we have been invited to participate.

I do not plan on going to Carnegie Hall. The basic cost of attending will be at least $1,000, and that doesn't cover travel. I'm still working on paying for attending the choir festival in Montreal last summer, and simply can't afford to make another commitment in hope of my situation improving.

The next couple of seasons with the chorus are going to be difficult at times. Everyone is shifting into high gear to raise money for the trip, the people going will be getting progressively excited, and I will undoubtedly feel left out. I was tempted not to sing for the next couple of seasons, but these people have been my friends and social network for the past three years. When I don't participate, I isolate. I must continue checking my attitude about Carnegie Hall.

Which brings me back to May 14, and seeing how I might benefit personally from the whole process. For this event, the chorus is seeking people willing to donate an hour to facilitate workshops on practically any subject, from birdwatching to songwriting.

So I have taken it into my head to conduct a writing workshop. When first the idea arose I thought, "That's crazy. I can't teach a class. I'm terrified of getting up in front of a group of people."

Actually, that's not true. I do experience social anxiety, but not particularly about public speaking. I won't need to impress anyone with my abilities. I will only be required to share ideas and stimulate creativity. I've done things like it before. Many times.

In my previous life as an evangelical Christian, I led many Bible studies and prayer meetings. I even preached to a congregation once or twice. In my later incarnation, I volunteered my skills as a facilitator for Gay Fathers of Toronto. At the time those meetings routinely drew between 30 and 60 men. I did not instruct; I facilitated. And people frequently told me I was good at it.

To conduct a writing workshop I will have to instruct and engage discussion. The topic will be the activity that comes most naturally to me—actually, a process for which I feel great enthusiasm. I believe in writing as a mode of expression and self-therapy, a spiritual discipline, a metaphor for living. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to string together enough information and exercises to occupy a few people for an hour.

It would pay something back to a musical ensemble that has helped me grow as a person in relationship to a community. It would give me a chance to share my ideas in a different kind of forum, a valuable opportunity for personal and professional development.

I'm nervous as hell about taking this on.

I'm going to fill out a proposal now.





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Southern Corn Bread Dressing

When it comes to cooking I'm my mother's child, preferring a minimum of fuss. But this stuffing I made for the turkey on Christmas Day at Mom and Dad's was exceptional, certainly worth the extra effort of baking biscuits and a loaf of cornbread, only to be torn to bits. It makes 10 servings, so fortunately there were plenty of leftovers. I brought home a couple packets for the freezer. Sunday when Sylvie and Sarah joined me and Brenna for dinner I reheated one to accompany the roast chicken. I ate the last bit with a leftover leg for lunch today, and it was still delicious.

Ironically, I didn't like the cornbread itself much. I'm used to something sweeter. But it worked wonderfully in this recipe. I baked the dressing, cooled and froze it in a casserole a few days ahead of Christmas to save time and fuss. This comes from the Cooking Light, the November/December 1996 issue, but I was not overly concerned about reducing fat. My adaptations are noted.

1 recipe Speckled corn bread
1 12-ounce can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits¹
2 tablespoons rubbed sage
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon margarine²
Cooking spray³
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
4 10½-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1. Crumble speckled corn bread; set aside. Bake biscuits according to package directions; let cool. Tear 8 of the biscuits into small pieces; reserve remaining 2 for another use. Combine crumbled corn bread, torn biscuits, sage, poultry seasoning, and pepper in a large bow; set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Melt margarine over medium-high heat in a medium nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Sauté celery and onion 8 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly. Add vegetable mixture to dressing mixture, and gently stir in broth and egg whites. Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes.

Speckled corn bread

1 teaspoon margarine²
Cooking spray³
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1-1/3 cups self-rising yellow cornmeal mix⁴
2/3 cup self-rising flour⁴
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1¼ cups skim milk
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. melt margarine over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Sauté corn and bell pepper 8 minutes or until corn is lightly browned and pepper is tender; stir frequently. Let cool.
3. Combine vegetable mixture, cornmeal mix, flour, sugar and ground red pepper in a large bowl; add milk and egg whites stirring until moist. Pour batter into a 9-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centre comes out clean. Remove from the pan; let cool completely on a wire rack.

¹ I used Pillsbury tea biscuits, but a batch made from Tea-Bisk or Bisquick would work just as well.
² I used butter.
³ I used cooking oil.
⁴ I couldn't find self-rising yellow cornmeal mix. So I eliminated it AND the self-rising flour, and substituted 1 cup yellow corn meal, 1/3 cup corn flour, 2/3 cup flour, and 2 tablespoons baking powder. It worked great.

Comments

[halation.livejournal.com]

good on you for filling out a proposal!
i wish i could be in that workshop!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Wow, I would be honoured!

Here's the description I wrote:

Writing can be an enjoyable mode of self-expression, a form of storytelling or sharing with others, even a tool for self-therapy. For some it is a spiritual practice, a metaphor for life. Whether your goal is to write poetry, prose, essays or marketable materials, record your memoirs or keep a personal journal, this workshop will provide tools to get the creative ink flowing. For every level, from beginners to experienced wordsmiths battling writer’s block.