Project Description
Veterans Writing
Would you like to be able to tell your story?
Studies shows that the ability to manage your life through your story increases overall wellness. Our Veterans Writing Workshops offer a safe place for veterans, their family members, and caregivers to write about their experiences. These workshops provide participants the opportunity to create, share, and receive feedback on their writing. They are led by veterans who are professional writers. Previous writing experience is not necessary.
Expressive writing workshops can be a useful tool to help people recover from trauma and help manage stress. Dr. James Pennebaker’s Expressive Writing process uses prompts from the creative nonfiction writing field, and is well-researched for its therapeutic effect. Each participant’s work is completely private and need never be shared with others. Group support, creative writing, and pain management practices help writers process the past and envision a better future. Expressive writing involves visualizing changes and mapping steps to realize them, as well as tracking the effectiveness of medical treatments and other interventions like rest, time in nature, meditation, exercise, or creativity.
All 18+ military-affiliated family members, caregivers, veterans, and active service members are welcome. Led by Air Force veteran Cindy Skaggs, Expressive Writing Workshops are currently offered via the online platform Discord, Sundays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Learn more or register
Creative writing workshops inspire writing that engages with the artistry of language. Participants will learn to use the written word to express emotions and convey their experiences.
Lunch and Learn with Cindy Skaggs Wednesdays 12 to 1 p.m. via the online platform Discord.
02 September – Storytelling 101
09 September – Plotting 101
16 September – Characters 101
23 September – Setting 101
30 September – Dialogue 101
07 October – Research 101
14 October – Character Archetypes
21 October – Layering Emotion
28 October – Writer’s Block SOS
Professional-level workshops help you prepare your work to share with family, friends, or the public. Our Pueblo Veterans Writing Workshops offer a safe place to receive feedback on your writing. All military-affiliated people (spouses, family members, caregivers) are welcome to join the free online workshops by writers Juan Morales and Jorge Arroyo. Sundays from 12 – 1 p.m. Learn more or register
Join Us
Ongoing workshops led by veterans who are also professional writers are always free and open to the public on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop.
For more information, contact Bess Maher Colorado Humanities Veterans Writing Program Coordinator bess@coloradohumanities.org 303.894.7951 x19
Expressive Writing Workshop
Introduction to Veteran’s Expressive Workshops presented by Cindy Skaggs in conjunction with Colorado Humanities and our community partner in Colorado Springs, Mt Carmel Veteran Service Center.
Expressive Writing Workshops inspire writing that engages with the artistry of language. Participants will learn to use the written word to express emotions and convey their experiences.
Workshop Schedule
Support
Supported by a two-year, $30,000 Arts in Society Program grant funded by Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, and Hemera Foundation, and in partnership with RedLine Contemporary Art Center, Colorado Humanities’ is pleased to offer this opportunity to veterans and the metro community.
Special thanks to our sponsors
