Writing Workshops
with Milli Thornton
The Fear of Writing Clinic is a one-day event and the Tantrick Writing Clinic is a 2-day weekend workshop.
Milli's newest workshop is the Fear of Blogging Clinic. Watch for more new workshops in 2013.
In Milli's writing workshops, the accent is on fun. The other guiding principle is safe place.
“I don't allow critiques,” Milli said. “So writers—and especially emerging closet writers—who are not ready for critiquing won't have to dread that kind of feedback.”
“I strive to avoid making my workshops self-contained. There's nothing more frustrating than attending a creative workshop, leaving it feeling 1,000% inspired—but then crashing down again a few days later, unable to sustain your motivation at home. I offer fun and practical ways for writers (and now, bloggers) to continue their momentum after the workshop.”
The exercises were fun! I had a GREAT time.
—Donna Brown, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thanks for a great writing workshop. I realized several things—one of which is that other people’s fears are no greater or lesser than mine. That was very helpful.
—Terry Fisher, Albuquerque, New Mexico
All of my testimonials are from real people. More testimonials below.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS - FALL 2012
September / October - Youngstown, OHIO
Full workshop details can be found beneath the schedule and contact info
FEAR OF WRITING CLINIC
Saturday, Sept 29 [No seats available]
or
Saturday, Oct 6 / 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. [2 SEATS STILL OPEN as of 9/28]
to be held at
Milli's house in Boardman (suburb of Youngstown, Ohio)
address will be given only to registrants who have paid in full
$129 - includes lunch, an author-signed copy of
Milli's book and a 50-page workbook
Only 5 seats available at each workshop—this is a small and intimate workshop—so register early!
FEAR OF BLOGGING CLINIC
$50 - includes workshop materials and work-at-home handouts
Please email Milli to express your interest.
She will
schedule
a workshop date for the
blogging clinic based on enough interest shown.
QUICKIE REGISTRATION
Call (830) 832-1355 or email Milli to reserve your seat
- Or scroll down the page for more information -
THINKING OF REGISTERING? NOT SURE? HERE ARE TWO THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU DECIDE
#1 - Seating is limited . . . I keep my workshops small and intimate
Don't put your dreams off any longer. "Seize the Day" for your creativity and register today!
#2 - If you're FEELING NERVOUS and not sure you should attend, call or email me and we'll talk it over.
No pressure. I only want people there who really want to be there. :~)
P.S. That's me in the photo. I'm friendly . . . and I understand how intimidating it can seem.
Page Contents
NEW! - Fear of Blogging Clinic
Fear of Writing Clinic
Student Workbook
Testimonials
Meet (in Photos) Some of Our Workshop Participants
Tantrick Writing Clinic - Watch the mailing list for dates in 2013
Tantrick Writing Clinic & Photo Gallery
NEW! ~ Fear of Blogging Clinic
With Milli's usual style of fun and engaging workshop exercises, experience the terrors and mysteries of blogging being demystified and broken down into doable actions.
WHO WILL THIS WORKSHOP SUIT?
- Anyone who wants to start a blog but who has been procrastinating
- Anyone who already has a blog but has never caught fire with it
- Anyone who worries they don't have enough to say to keep a blog going long-term
- Anyone who feels some resistance about blogging but feels drawn to find out about it anyway
BENEFITS
- Learn the 7 Golden Rules of Blogging to shorten your learning curve
- Learn how to present yourself to greatest effect (and how to deal with the fear of exposure)
- Tips, exercises and handouts to help you figure out what to write for all those blog posts!
- Practical and emotional help for your fear of getting started
- Resources and handouts to make it easier for you at home after the workshop
DO I NEED TO ALREADY HAVE A BLOG SET UP FOR THIS TO BE WORTHWHILE?
No. Milli will show you easy and fun ways to get started without a blog. She can help you determine which blogging software to use—and where to get help to set it up—when you're ready to launch a blog.
Call (830) 832-1355 or email Milli to express your interest in this clinic
Fear of Writing Clinic
A fun writing workshop!
“writers & closet writers welcome”
SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL and get ready to write! No matter what your level of writer’s block, lack of inspiration, or sheer terror of failure, you’ll find yourself hitting the page with irresistible stories and characters-spouting-dialogue almost from the moment you sit down.
The old pressure to dredge up “something worth writing” is lifted away and you can simply let the magic happen.
Meanwhile, you’ll discover that your imagination is far richer than you’ve ever suspected. This is all accomplished in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie, where you will actually be rewarded for your fear of writing.
If you’re shy, you can sit quietly until it feels comfortable to offer your insights. But everyone—even the grimmest who believe they have NO talent—must come prepared to write. You’ll be glad you did. The Fertile Material has been known to unblock the most secretive of closet writers . . . and even the biggest scaredy cats!
Workshop Presenter & What to Bring
My name is Milli Thornton. I'm the author fo the book (Fear of Writing: for writers & closet writers) and workshop presenter for the Fear of Writing Clinic.
Coffee houses, healing centers and the homes of friends fit the criteria for my ideal writing workshop environment. I prefer smaller, more intimate settings, as well as small groups of people, so participants will feel safe—and free to relax and have fun.
Fear of Writing is available on Amazon.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous experience as a writer? No. This workshop is suitable for every level—even people who have never written before. A closet writer is someone who has dreamed of “someday” being a writer but has either been too busy or too scared to try. Now you can come out of the closet the easy way. This workshop has also helped more seasoned writers break away from their usual projects and have some fun. The exercises are designed for everybody.
Will this workshop show me how to get published? Nope. This workshop is for the fun of creativity—and to become acquainted with my writing prompts (the Fertile Material), which will give you food for many, many stories even long after the workshop is over. It also gently helps with any writing fears you may have.
Will anyone critique my writing? No. Everyone is encouraged to read to the group what they have written, but no one is pressured to read. And critiques are not allowed. The philosophy of Fear of Writing is to provide a safe place where no one has to dread an unkind critique.
Saturday, Sept 15 - OR- Saturday, Oct 6
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Milli's house in Boardman, OH
$129 - includes lunch, author-signed copy of Milli's book & 50-page workbook
Call (830) 832-1355 or email Milli to reserve your seat
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Student Workbook
Fear of Writing Clinic
Milli has replaced the old photocopied hand-outs with a 35-page spiral bound student workbook.
Fall 2012: The workbook has been completely revamped and updated. If you register in Sept./October, you'll get the latest 50-page version.
Here's the table of contents (2nd edition, Aug. 2012):
I. WORKSHOP EXERCISES
What to Do If or When Fear Strikes
Define Fun
Suffering Comes with the Turf
Fear of Criticism
The Seven Eternal Laws of Writing
10 Tips for Using the Fertile Material
How to Invent Name Soup
Writer’s Block? Use the Whiplash of Your Inner Critic to Make it Across the Drawbridge
Fertile Material Skeletons
Feedback: What to Give; What to Expect
Fertile Material
II. YOUR AT-HOME RESOURCES FOR BUILDING A WRITING LIFE
How to Get the Most from Your Student Workbook at Home
Listening to Hunches While Writing
A tale inspired by rice porridge
Learning to Trust Your Imagination
Using Milli’s book at home
Fertile Material Writing Circles
III. BABY STEPS TO GETTING PUBLISHED
Write for Milli’s fun travel blog
Be a guest on the Fear of Writing blog
Write for the Fear of Writing Gazette
IV. GET MORE WRITING DONE!
About Milli Thornton
Writer’s Muse Coaching Service
Fear of Writing Online Course
Unleash Your Writing!
The 10K Day for Writers
Ace Your 10K Day!
Writing When the Spirit Moves You
Tantrick Writing Clinic
V. INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLES
Fear of Writing: Is It a Gene?
Coming Out of the Writer’s Closet for Good
Water: Do Writers Need It?
Copyright © Milli Thornton
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Testimonials—Fear of Writing Clinic
It screams “safe”!
—Sallye Beranak, Ft. Collins, Colorado
I’m not a poet, but after your Fear of Writing Clinic I felt so inspired I entered a poetry contest and won a Sony Vaio.
—Robert Beale, Taos, New Mexico
The exercises were fun! I had a GREAT time.
—Donna Brown, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Milli, I had a wonderful time on Saturday. I came home tired but really enthused. I am amazed at how talented you are. How organized and in awe of your workshop abilities. You have been sent here as the Writer's Angel, I truly believe it. You have an amazing way of hearing what is not said and an empathetic way of listening. The way you have of encouraging and uplifting when one is in that place of fear and uncertainty is astounding.
—Deirdre Nielsen, Canyon Lake, Texas
I really enjoyed your workshop. It was fun. I look forward to seeing a “Son of Fear of Writing” workshop someday.
—Raven Puente, Spring Branch, Texas
Once again, thank you so much. At the beginning of the day I felt like “Ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness, I can't write anything around these people—they're all so good and I'm just going to sound dumb!” But we both had a really, really good time. Thanks, thanks, thanks!!
— Susan Smith, San Antonio, Texas, attending with her 16-year-old daughter, Caitlin Smith
Milli, I love your feedback. You are so encouraging, so uplifting, and your words exude a strength that goes right to my soul. Thank you.
—Claudia Errington, Woodland, CA
Thanks for a great writing workshop. I realized several things—one of which is that other people’s fears are no greater or lesser than mine. That was very helpful.
—Terry Fisher, at a Fear of Writing Clinic sponsored by SouthWest Writers, 3/16/02
Great writing exercises. “Fertile Material.” Nothing has set me free like these. Thanks! —Lyn Canham, Sandia Park, New Mexico
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Meet Some of the Workshop Participants
Fear of Writing Clinic, Canyon Lake, Texas 2/26/05
Clockwise, from left to right: Tony Carroll, Carol Ann Collette, Kathy Cloud, Liz Newman, Lainie Dulaney, Milli Thornton, Michele Reinhardt, Sue Perkins
Fear of Writing Clinic, Canyon Lake, Texas 4/16/05
Left to right, from top row: Jim Satterwhite, Raven Puente, Lenell Deane, Susan Smith, Sherry Kubena, Caitlin Smith, Jane Burkett
Fear of Writing Clinic, Cappuccino Paradise, San Antonio, Texas, 5/7/05
From left to right: Jim Vermillion, Dave Lawrence, Cindy Wilson, Milli Thornton, Gwen Michal, Mary Jarvis
Fear of Writing Clinic, Chicki's Coffee Shop, Spring Branch, Texas, 4/23/05
From left to right: Milli Thornton, Ellen Miller, Jeanetta Davis, Sandy Fleming
Fear of Writng Clinic, Daisy Whisenant's house, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, 5/21/05
From left to right: John Gaines, Bev Emmons, Richard McFarland, Holly White, Milli Thornton, Joe Worthy, Bea Moore, Sondra Locke, Daisy Whisenant
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Watch This Space for Milli's New Workshops!