90-Minute Workshop. Session #6 – Sunday, February 19: 11 AM – 12:30PM
The Shame Prom: Righting Our Lives, by Writing Our Lives
In this 90 minute workshop, Amy Ferris and Hollye Dexter will discuss the collaborative process which led them to create their blogs, their website and anthology The Shame Prom. They will share how one (humble) idea between two friends blossomed into a partnership, which soon led them to reach out to authors, publishers and agents. They will discuss the many topics of Shame they have covered (infidelity, bankruptcy, sexuality, abuse, just to name a few), what it’s like to edit and work on an anthology of this size and caliber, along with creating a web site and networking venue.
Hollye and Amy will do prompts, along with a short exercise on goals and collaborating. Their intent is to show you that when your dream is pure and focused, anything is possible.
8-Hour Writing Intensive. Monday and Tuesday, February 20 and 21 — 9 AM to 1 PM each day
The Shame Prom: From Shame-Full to Shame-Less
It’s THE BIG one – that big, bad, ugly little (or big) secret we don’t want to share. It keeps us from being intimate, truthful, fearless. It keeps us oh so small.
It’s there, in the back of the drawer, hidden next to the sexy lingerie that is never, ever worn. It is a companion, an unwelcome visitor, destroyer of dreams, a pervasive darkness. It has brought down countries, damaged political careers, upended the financial world, shaken both religious and spiritual communities. It is a stoic face in public, a tearstained face in private. And yet we continue to live with it. SHAME.
Amy Ferris and Hollye Dexter, co-editors of the extraordinary anthology The Shame Prom - are old pro’s at sharing & writing about their deepest shame – and in the process have offered a hand, a shoulder, a box of Kleenex, tremendous hope, and unyielding courage to others who have yet to leave theirs behind. In this intensive workshop, we will anonymously release secrets that have been weighing us down for years. There are no taboos, nothing that can’t be written about. This will be a SAFE environment in which every participant will be supported and witnessed. In realizing we are not alone in our shame, our stories transform from sad to funny, joyous, difficult, liberating, humorous, and enlightening. The release is life changing. In the end, the truth really will set us free. Join us and WRITE/RIGHT your lives.
“Our deepest, most fervent wish is to wipe SHAME off the face of the earth. We know, a big gigantic wish … but we’re passionate, determined women.” – Amy and Hollye
Amy Ferris
Amy Ferris is an author, screenwriter, playwright and editor. Her essays have appeared in anthologies, editorials, websites, and magazines. She co-wrote two films: Mr. Wonderful (Director: Anthony Minghella), and Funny Valentines (Director: Julie Dash). Her memoir, Marrying George Clooney, Confessions From A Midlife Crisis, is heading to Off-Broadway in the Fall 2011, being developed and produced by CAP 21 Theater. More Magazine named her blog, www.marryinggeorgeclooney.com, one of the best blogs for women over 40. Amy’s greatest wish is that all women awaken to their greatness.
Hollye Dexter
Hollye Dexter is a singer/songwriter with four albums out, author of the memoir Only Good Things and co-editor of the anthology The Shame Prom (Seal Press). Her stories have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Answered Prayers, and Character Consciousness as well as many online sources. She is a regular contributor for iPinion Syndicate and AOL Patch News.
Hollye also founded two nonprofit organizations, running arts programs for teenagers in the foster care system. In 2007 she received the Agape Spirit award from Dr. Michael Beckwith (from The Secret) for her work with at-risk youth. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children. You can find her blogging away at www.hollyedexter.blogspot.com.
Reviews
Hollye Dexter
“We gratefully acknowledge Hollye Dexter for being a place of peace, and standing for principles of nonviolence on our community.” Dr. Michael Beckwith (The Secret)
“It is extremely rare to encounter someone with the gift and voice she’s shown in her work. Beautiful! She possesses true and rare talent that shows in nearly every sentence. More importantly, she recognizes the way a small story can reveal larger truths.” Joyce Maynard, author of To Die For, and At Home in The World
Amy Ferris
“Amy Ferris is the menopausal David Sedaris.” Sean Strub, Writer, Activist, Founder of Poz Magazine
“Marrying George Clooney is smart, funny, wise, poignant, and true. I am sure it will speak to all women.” Suzanne Braun Levine, author of 50 is the New Fifty and Inventing the Rest of Our Lives.
“This little book contains a lethal combination; it’s honest, brave and hilarious. There is no ground too sacred for Ferris to tread upon, even her own marriage, if it means shedding light to generously help another soul smart enough, lucky enough, daring enough to read her.” Patricia Elam, author of Breathing Room
