Follow your bliss in 2020. Take a creative writing workshop with Christopher Luna.
Christopher will lead a series of classes and workshops beginning in January. Most occur year-round. The best way to stay up-to-date on his activities is to sign up for The Work, a monthly newsletter for poets in Portland, Oregon and Southwest Washington: printedmattervancouver@gmail.com
Christopher Luna served as the first Poet Laureate of Clark County, WA from 2013-2017. His first full-length collection of poetry, Message from the Vessel in a Dream, was published by Flowstone Press in 2018. Luna has an MFA from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, and is the co-founder, with Toni Lumbrazo Luna, of Printed Matter Vancouver, a small press for Northwest writers which also provides writing coaching, editing, and manuscript review. He has hosted the popular Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic in Vancouver, WA since 2004. Luna’s books include Brutal Glints of Moonlight, GHOST TOWN, USA and The Flame Is Ours: The Letters of Stan Brakhage and Michael McClure 1961-1978.
According to Rae Latham, a writer in Christopher’s Monday morning poetry writing class at Multnomah Arts Center, “Christopher is the poetry alchemist who helps us discover gold.”
POETRY WRITING
Poetry Writing at Multnomah Arts Center
7688 SW CAPITOL HWY
PORTLAND, OR 97219
Poetry as a means of expression, exploration, and experience is available to everyone. Write poetry in response to prompts and read a variety of published poems that you can use as inspiration. Read and respond to one another’s work in this supportive setting, paying close attention to revision.
Mondays from 10 am – 12:30 pm: This class is full.
January 6, 2020 to March 9, 2020
Except:
Monday, January 20
Monday, February 17
OR
Mondays from 1:00 – 3:30 pm
https://apm.activecommunities.com/portlandparks/Activity_Search/lit-arts-poetry-writing/117706
January 6, 2020 to March 9, 2020
Except:
Monday, January 20
Monday, February 17
Multnomah Arts Center Room 8
Price: $200
Ages: 16 and up
Poetry: Revising and Publishing
What should you do after writing a first draft of a poem? How do you shape and develop a poem into a publishable piece of work? How do you decide if and when to publish your work? Discuss strategies for revising and editing your poetry, followed by an overview of how to find outlets that might publish your words. Explore the importance of chapbooks and whether or not entering poetry contests is a good idea. Please bring 3-5 typed, unfinished poems to class and a lunch.
Saturday, February 22
10 am to 4 pm
Multnomah Arts Center Room 08
Price: $62.00
Ages: 18 and up
MEMOIR WRITING
Clark College
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98663
Anna Pechanec Hall
Room 114
Memoir Writing at Clark College, Tuesdays from 1:00 – 3:20 pm January 7 through February 25, 2020: Everyone has a story to tell. Each person’s life is filled with adventure, mystery, trouble, and triumph. Memoir is a powerful way to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all human beings. See yourself as a part of history, documenting the story of your life.
For more information or to register, visit:
https://ecd.clark.edu/classes/class.php?SKU=220114670
WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY
January 9 – February 27
Niche Wine Bar
1013 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
Christopher is also facilitating an eight-week workshop/writers group called Writing Your Life Story at Niche Wine Bar on Thursdays from 10:15 am – 1:15 pm, January 9 through February 27, 2020.
Document your memories for your family or for possible future publication. Complete short timed writings as well as weekly take-home assignments. Give and receive feedback in a safe, informal environment. Christopher will introduce the techniques of creative nonfiction storytelling which uses one’s life experiences as the foundation for narrative. Participants will be encouraged to share their writing in a safe environment (no one will be required to share their stories) and receive feedback from the facilitator and other writers. We will work to achieve the following goals:
1) learn the key elements of successful storytelling in written form,
2) create a living document for yourself, your family, or others,
3) delve into or build upon your written skills.
Bring your ideas, notes, paper, and pen/pencil (no books required).
Open to all skill levels. The class will be limited to ten (10) participants.
Cost: $225 (cash, check, card)
REGISTER AT NICHE during business hours, on the first day of class, OR email printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to set up a time to register.
THE WORK
Christopher also facilitates a poetry writing workshop known as The Work, from 11:30-2:00 on the second Saturday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at Niche Wine Bar (1013 Main Street, next door to Angst Gallery and the Kiggins Theatre). Doors open at 11:15 so that you can purchase coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages from Niche and grab a snack. The workshop begins at 11:30.
“Well, while I’m here I’ll do the work — and what’s the work?
To ease the pain of living. Everything else, drunken dumbshow.”
― Allen Ginsberg, “Memory Gardens” (Fall of America, City Lights)
The Work is a drop-in poetry writing workshop for beginners as well as more experienced writers. Poetry encourages empathy and compassion, and sparks the shifts in consciousness which lead to healing, personal growth, and an interest in fighting for progressive social change.
We will read and discuss poetry, and write several new poems together. Each workshop will feature at least three timed writing exercises.
$20 suggested donation; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Bring a poem to share as a way of saying hello.
Shareable snacks are also welcome and very much appreciated.
Upcoming 2020 Saturday afternoon workshops will take place on January 18, February 8, March 14, April 11, and May 9.
There is also a Monday evening version of the workshop that takes place on the second and fourth Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at Angst Gallery (1015 Main Street).
Upcoming 2020 Monday evening workshops will take place on January 13 & 27, February 10 & 24, March 9 & 23, April 6 & 20, and May 11.
If you are looking for writing coaching, editing/manuscript review, or information about poetry and memoir classes, send Christopher an email via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.
PRINTED MATTER VANCOUVER 