Allyson Whipple

Category: teaching

  • Yoga + Writing Workshop Coming Up!

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    A year ago, a good friend of mine took me to Modo Yoga Austin to try out a class. I had no idea I would be walking into a hot yoga session. I’d tried Bikram a few times and didn’t enjoy it, so if I’d known, my prejudice would have gotten in the way.

    I was shocked to find that I loved hot yoga. I kept going back. Now, if I go more than a few days without a hot class, I feel like I’m missing something.

    The Modo community is fantastic. I’m thrilled to be a part of it. And I finally have the opportunity to host a workshop I’ve wanted to run for years.

    On Sunday, November 13th, I’ll be running “Embodied Creativity: Yoga + Writing” at the Modo Austin studio. In this workshop, we’ll use both asana and writing as a way to unblock our creative forces. The workshop is suited for all artists, whether you’re a designer, poet, dancer, actor, musician, writer, or anything else. All levels are welcome! The yoga sequence is designed for all levels, so even if you’re an absolute beginner, you can come enjoy the practice.

    The workshop is $30 ($25 for Modo members), and you can register at the school. Space is limited to 15 people, so sign up soon!

    Check out the workshop flier for details: workshop_flyer_2

  • Revision Redux

    In March 2015, I ran a two-week online writing workshop focused on revision. I had such a great time coaching poets on how to streamline their poetry, and I’ve been looking for opportunities to run it again. I’m happy to announce I have some extra time for workshops this summer, so I’ll be running the Online Revision Mission Workshop not once, but twice! I’m offering a session in June and a session in July. (Who knows? If I get enough interest, I might run it in August, too!)

    Check out the details below:

    Revision Mission Online Workshop (Sessions available in June or July)
    Session 1: June 16th – June 26th
    Session 2: July 11th – July 25th
    Cost: $15 before May 1st; $25 between May 1st and the registration deadline
    Registration Deadline: June 13th for session 1; July 9th for session 2
    Description: It’s almost summertime! Forget all that talk of bikini bodies, and let’s focus on slimming down those poems! Join me for a repeat of this two-week online workshop that will get you revising those neglected poems in no time! With this workshop, you’ll get daily revision prompts. I’ll also send tips on how and when to let go of poems that aren’t coming together, and decluttering your hard drive or writing desk. In addition, you’ll get a one-on-one critique of two poems. Join me in making your poems sharp and lean! To sign up, please use the online registration form. 

    I’m also hoping to host some in-person workshops this summer. Stay tuned for more information!

  • Remix, Repeat, Reply: Playing with the Villanelle

    If you hang around me long enough, you’ll find out that I’m obsessed with villanelles. They’re my favorite poetic form. For this year’s creative challenge, I have two goals. First, I want to immerse myself in the villanelle. While I won’t write exclusively in form, I will spend the year reading, studying, and practicing. I love this form, so why not give it my full attention?

    My other goal is to teach more workshops. I love teaching. I’ve taught workshops here and there, but this year, I want to make them a commitment the way I made giving readings a commitment. Given that preparing a workshop requires more effort than a reading (at least in my opinion), I’m not going to shoot for one a month. Instead, I’m going to go for 10 between now and March 31st, 2016.

    Where is all this leading? To announce that I’ll be re-running the villanelle workshop I taught at the Flor de Nopal Literary Festival last year!

    Workshop Description:  Many poets are intimidated by the prospect of writing formal poetry. The villanelle, with the constraint of repeated lines, can seem especially daunting. This workshop will explore different ways of creating villanelles, including using found lines, to push the boundaries of constrains and make the form a fun exploration of sound and rhythm.

    When: April 25th, 2015 from 3-5 4:00-6:00 p.m. (note the time change) at my home in East Austin (address provided after registration is finalized) OR April 26th from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. online (via Google Hangout)

    Cost: $25 for the Austin workshop; $15 for the online workshop

    Want to sign up? Fill out the registration form here. Payment can be sent via Paypal to literaryaustin@gmail.com, or contact me at that address to make other arrangements.

  • Poetry Formatting Tutorial for Online Submissions

    Submissions for the 2016 Texas Poetry Calendar are already flying in, and each time I check out a fresh batch of poems, I feel honored to be trusted with this project.

    Dos Gatos Press went to online-only submissions a few years ago. For the Poetry Calendar (and for most publications I’ve encountered), your poems must be submitted in one cohesive document, with a different poem on each page. Every submission cycle, there are poets who have questions about how to put everything into one document.

    To help those poets out, I shot a brief tutorial. I use Word 2013, but this technique has worked in every word processor I’ve used, including OpenOffice. Check it out below, and feel free to share!

  • Ain’t No Party Like a Poetry Party

    Image Credit: Melissa Creates (http://www.melissacreates.com/2014/01/i-like-to-party-and-by-party-i-mean.html)
    Image Credit: Melissa Creates (http://www.melissacreates.com/2014/01/i-like-to-party-and-by-party-i-mean.html)

    Okay, my New Year’s plans are a little livelier than that. But if you’re poetry-minded  and want to spend New Year’s Eve being creative, you are invited to join the New Year’s Poetry Party.

    New Year’s Poetry Party

    What: A night to write the last poems of 2014 and start the New Year on a creative high note.

    Where: My home. Please RSVP to literaryaustin@gmail.com for address.

    Bring:

    • Your favorite writing supplies
    • A snack or beverage to share
    • Poems from 2014 (yours or someone else’s) to read

    Note 1: I have a very social dog named Simon. He has short fur, doesn’t shed much, and loves to sit in people’s laps.

    Note 2: Please RSVP by noon on December 29th so I have enough time to do all the prep I need. Please also let me know if you’ll be there for the whole evening or just part of it, so I can plan accordingly. (You only need to RSVP if you’ll be attending.)

    9:00-10:30 p.m.
    Workshop: Making Myth New

    Mythologies provide enduring sources of inspiration for poets. This workshop will start by looking at mythological archetypes across different cultures, as well as reading a selection of mythological poems. We’ll focus on the ways in which myths are continuously made new and the way the stories behind them transcend time. Finally, we’ll have time to write, using myth to explore either current events, or the mythic capacities within our own stories and lives.

    10:30-11:30 p.m.
    Collaborative Writing

    Let’s end the year by working together!
    Exact structure and prompt will depend on how many RSVPs I get.

    11:30-Midnight
    Socializing and Reading

    Share your workshop pieces, your favorite poems you wrote in 2014, and your favorite poems you read in 2014.

    Midnight: Toasting!

    The usual festivities!

    12:01 until We’re Too Tired

    Writing the first poems of the New Year.
    Sharing our work and the work of others.

  • Coming soon/save the dates

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    For all those writers who say they want to submit more, but can’t get motivated.

    For all those writers who feel like they don’t know how to target the right markets.

    For all those writers who try to keep track of submissions, but just can’t stay organized.

    (More details forthcoming. Check my Workshops page for updates, or email literaryaustin@gmail.com for more info.)

  • Still time to sign up for Achieve Your Dreams 2013!

    The first meeting of Achieve Your Dreams, my yearlong workshop series, launches in just 18 days! I’m so excited to help writers of all stripes work on setting goals, managing expectations, and accomplishing their dreams.

    Whether you’re trying to get your first piece published, revise that novel, or are working on taking the first step to get thoughts down on the page, this is the workshop for you. And best of all, you don’t have to be in Austin to get the benefit. Monthly workshop meetings are held via Google+ hangout, and weekly check-ins are done via email or video chat (student’s preference). As long as you have a computer, an internet connection, and webcam, you can take this class.

    I still have some spots available, so if you’re interested, check out the Workshops and Coaching page for full details and pricing.