In this part-analytical, part-generative intensive, we’ll engage the inspiring work of these multi-talented poets though reading, watching, and listening, including qawwali musical performances that are an integral part of this living tradition. We’ll look at works from the earliest centuries of Sufism in South Asia, all the way to present-day poets writing in this storied tradition. And we’ll use the sparks of these voices, passed down over nearly a thousand years, to generate our own inspired writing.

This course is for writers in any genre, of any experience level, and of any (or no) particular spiritual or faith background. In each class, there will be discussion of individual poems and broader Sufi concepts; opportunities to write with one or more inspiring prompts; and space to share our own work with one another. Writers will leave with a newfound understanding of Sufi poetic traditions, resources for doing deeper dives into this inspiring body of work, many new writing starts, and a new community with which to continue their exploration.

This Class is About

• Understanding and tasting the voice of divine ecstasy in South Asian Sufi writing through reading poems and commentary, as well as listening to sung and spoken pieces
• Gaining knowledge of the Sufi philosophies that underpin these pieces, giving writers outside this tradition a glimpse of works they might not otherwise encounter
• Generating our own inspired writing through listening to qawwalis, doing deep reads of particular pieces, and writing in community and on our own, generating strong, electric new work
• Creating a community of writers that can energize and share and support one another, both within and outside class

Syllabus

This class will meet on Zoom Tuesdays from 7-9 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.

The post You Are Drinker and You Are Wine: Writing with the South Asian Sufis appeared first on Writers.com.

Zoom Schedule

This course will meet from 1-3:30 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Saturday, February 25th, and Sunday, February 26th.

Syllabus

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In this part-generative, part-analytical two-day intensive course, we’ll explore the challenges of writing with and about tech with courage and authenticity, while exploring humanity’s love affair with tech. We’ll examine the language of this revolution through close reads of relevant materials including everything from essays and commentary, to poetry, fiction, and manifestos, to religious scriptures, and even algorithms themselves. We’ll talk about what it all means, challenging our understandings of how tech interacts with disinformation, intolerance, the environment, and power. And we’ll riff off those materials to generate our own technologically inspired pieces. Come ready to write!

Note: No prior tech knowledge or skill is required. Prior iterations of this class have included participants with a wide range of relationships to tech, all of whose perspectives enriched and broadened our discussions.

This Class is About:

• Applying a critical lens to technology in the present moment as well as in a historic context, while better understanding and analyzing how it impacts our language, writing, and thinking
• Using these rich materials and their energy to fuel and inspire our own tech-inspired writing
• Creating a community of writers that can energize and share and support one another, both within and outside class

Course Outline

Each class unit will include one or more writing exercises. Students will be able to work on their writing starts between classes, share their work with peers, and submit them for instructor feedback as well, if desired.

We will meet each class from 1-5 P.M. U.S. Eastern time.

The post Techwashed!: Writing with AI, Data, and Surveillance appeared first on Writers.com.

In this part-generative, part-analytical class, we’ll take a deep dive into the Goddess’s rich mythology and philosophy, deepening our understanding of the Goddess’s many aspects. Along the way, we’ll do deep reads of varied selections from the millennia of writings she has inspired—including scripture, poetry, treatises, and more. And we’ll use this rich inspiration to write our own Shakti-animated pieces.

This course is for writers in any genre, of any experience level, and of any (or no) particular spiritual or faith background. Writers will leave with a Goddess-inspired writing toolkit, including resources for doing deeper dives into this inspiring mythology, many new writing starts, and a new community with which to continue their exploration.

Course Aims

This course is about:

• Providing a systematic introduction to the many interesting and contradictory aspects of the Goddess
• Situating the evolution of the Goddess within a long history of social conflict and development, including within current conceptions of gender diversity and feminism
• Writing together with this energy and sharing in non-judgmental space where the artist’s choices are supported and respected
• Creating a community of writers that can energize and share and support one another, both within and outside class
• Beginning or completing 1 to 2 new pieces of writing each week

Weekly Zoom Meetings

This class includes a two-hour weekly Zoom component. During that time, we’ll review, analyze, and discuss key selections from Goddess-related texts while building a supportive community together. We’ll also engage with and freewrite in response to unique writing prompts related to materials covered that week. At least three such prompts will be provided each week, and students are encouraged to write in response to at least two of them.

We will meet each Wednesday from 8 to 10 PM Eastern time / 5 to 7 PM Pacific time.

Course Syllabus

The post I’ve Drunk Your Poisoned Nectar: Writing with the Goddess appeared first on Writers.com.

This class aims to give participants a flavor of that space, as well as practical tools to incorporate this inspiration into their writing.  We’ll consider the history of the ghazal, listen to performances of ghazals in Urdu and other languages, deep-read translations, consider what makes a good ghazal work, and create our own electric new works.  Writers will leave with a deepened appreciation for and knowledge of the ghazal, several new writing starts (including ghazals if they so desire), and resources to pursue a deeper exploration of this enchanting form.  Come ready to write!

This class is about:

• Developing an appreciation for South Asian ghazals through examination of the form and its history, listening to sung ghazals, and doing deep reads
• Using this energy to fuel and inspire our own ghazal-inspired writing
• Giving writers in this class a taste of writing in this tradition that they might not otherwise encounter
• Creating a community of writers that can energize and share and support one another, both within and outside class

Workshop Schedule

This class will include an overview of the ghazal structure, a dive into its history, deep reads of four or more ghazals (written in English or in translation), and at least three writing exercises to provide writers with an opportunity to create their own work. We will meet from 1-5 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.

The post You Yourself Are the Beloved: Writing with South Asian Ghazals appeared first on Writers.com.