A few years ago during a fellowship program, I had the chance to take a slam poetry workshop. It was totally outside of my comfort zone and I absolutely loved it. There has always been a poet inside of me despite never publishing those words (except what I disguise as prose); I’m simply more comfortable with the personal essay. But that workshop unlocked in me a type of freedom within how I write, think and teach. It was a crash course in not trying to control my own creativity.
Next week I’ll be hosting an online writing workshop all about Freedom. That’s our theme. This word is used a lot in the news today and certainly there is a way to engage this topic through the political upheaval surrounding us.
’s words are fresh in my mind having just read his powerful book, On Freedom.In the preface of the book, Snyder writes:
“Defining freedom is a different sort of ambition from defending it. I interrogate my former self; I interrogate others; and others interrogate me… Freedom is positive; getting words around it, like living it, is an act of creation.”
There is most certainly a freedom in exploring our family histories. As my grandmother taught me from the writings she left behind, a freedom and a power no one can take away from you is how you choose to tell your own story.
I invite you to join me and fellow writers on May 11th for this workshop. For those unfamiliar, my workshops are a chance for writers of *all experience levels* to come together in community to think, feel, and document our world as we are experiencing it. My hope is that this space can offer a pause from the chaos of daily life and a chance to do some generative, free-flowing writing. There will be an emphasis on memoir and family history throughout the workshop, but the prompts and exercises will be broad enough that you, as the writer, can choose where to take them. Ages 14 and up are welcome and first time writers are encouraged to join!
Details are below and you can find more information on my website: www.rachaelcerrotti.com/writing-group.
May 11th workshop:
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025 from 4-6:30pm EST
Note: This is Mother's Day and if you are looking for a last minute gift for Mom (or a last minute gift request from your child), I invite you to consider this workshop as just that! You can even join us together.
Theme: Freedom. We will use poetry, book excerpts and prompts to explore the topic of freedom.
Location: Zoom. I’ll send the link and a reminder email the week before.
Fee: $135. If you're a paid subscriber to my Substack, have worked with me as a story coach, or have joined a previous workshop, the fee is $100. If the cost is prohibitive for you, please reach out and let's discuss a way to make it work.
To Sign Up: To reserve your place, please email me at rachaelcerrotti@gmail.com with the subject line: MAY WRITING WORKSHOP 2025. Include the name of the participant, the location, and if there is any helpful or relevant information for me to know. You can also sign up through my website.
** The workshop will be capped at 10 participants.**
