Wow... Well, I'm still processing a little, so forgive any tangents. This is a very personal piece for me, so I'm not sure how interesting others may find it. But I would like to write it anyway, mostly as a reference point in my own life. I hope it doesn't read like a bad advert for my 'skills'. I don't mean it to. But the feedback is suggesting I am better at this than what I thought.
I have facilitated an array of workshops over the years, all centred on writing. I have worked as a university tutor - teaching online and off. It's probably ten years since I gathered my experiences and began teaching; mostly to cover gaps in income as happens when you freelance. Even though my initial motivation was purely financial, I discovered that not only do I enjoy teaching and sharing my skills, I am good at it. This is possibly because if I choose to run a workshop it will be on a topic that not only am I confident I can competently communicate, but it will be something I passionately want OTHER people to know about. It's because I have discovered something that makes me overwhelmingly happy and it would be awesome to convey that to other people. I feel like I've been generally successful in this... up until now.
Right now I feel like a bit of a rockstar. And it's taken me a couple of days to really recognise how important my current work is. It's strange; I've been messing around with erotic writing for up on eight years now. It's been nearly five years since I first started getting any income for it. For some reason it has taken me several years to realise that a pattern that has previously proven positive for me can be applied to my current passions. I can TEACH other people the power of erotic writing... I can guide them towards opening their sexual dialogue... I can only HOPE they receive some of the incredible benefits that come with turning down their sexual self-censor. I want to be a person to provide the space so they can. In this case it's not about 'the writing'. It's about the ability to let go. The Sexy Sentences workshop on Sunday was such strong evidence to me that I am on the right track.
Is it sheer fluke I get the most amazing people at my workshops? I mean, seriously...? It just gets better all the time! It's like every time I run an event it gets better. And partially that's me tightening things up and taking any feedback on board, but it is also the calibre of people. And the way they express themselves. The groups are increasingly enthusiastic and supportive from the get-go. I learn more about people, sex, relationships, kink, teaching methods, laughter, communication skills and lil ole 'Me' (amongst other surprise bonuses...) at each and every session. But more importantly I find there is at least one person at every workshop who finds this a somewhat life-changing experience. I had a girl in Seattle say 'cunt' aloud for the first time ever. Another Seattle participant was able to start dealing with some deep-seated, very old injuries to do with how she was treated as a child and young adult after my workshop. I've had several people here in Melbourne who have been scared to put pen to paper come along and find themselves full of stories they want to share...
On Sunday I had my mind blown. Not only did I hear some of the most wet and wonderful erotica in AGES, I watched people blossom before my very eyes. I sat and listened as someone who couldn't read their own work aloud, began doing so without even realising it. I smiled as the group applauded his effort. I stood amazed as I watched this same person participate in exercises in which there was no expectation to join in, no pressure to contribute. And this was someone who was so nervous about attending, they weren't even sure their anxiety would allow them to enter the building, let alone sit at the table with the other workshoppers... I was overwhelmed and teary seeing the grin on this young man's face as he stood close to a stranger, listening intently to the dirty whisperings on offer. I watched the joy he found in himself when he realised he could DO this... as he discovered he has a valid voice.
All this to say I am so fucking passionate about continuing what I've started. Words are power. Knowing how to use them is a skill, and when well-honed, a crazy-effective tool for getting what you want out of life. I am plainly seeing results in not only the written and verbal feedback I get, but in the body language, manners and posture of my students. I wanna bust this out. I want to give the gift of an uncensored, yet thoughtful voice to all...
Boom! and good day...
I have facilitated an array of workshops over the years, all centred on writing. I have worked as a university tutor - teaching online and off. It's probably ten years since I gathered my experiences and began teaching; mostly to cover gaps in income as happens when you freelance. Even though my initial motivation was purely financial, I discovered that not only do I enjoy teaching and sharing my skills, I am good at it. This is possibly because if I choose to run a workshop it will be on a topic that not only am I confident I can competently communicate, but it will be something I passionately want OTHER people to know about. It's because I have discovered something that makes me overwhelmingly happy and it would be awesome to convey that to other people. I feel like I've been generally successful in this... up until now.
Right now I feel like a bit of a rockstar. And it's taken me a couple of days to really recognise how important my current work is. It's strange; I've been messing around with erotic writing for up on eight years now. It's been nearly five years since I first started getting any income for it. For some reason it has taken me several years to realise that a pattern that has previously proven positive for me can be applied to my current passions. I can TEACH other people the power of erotic writing... I can guide them towards opening their sexual dialogue... I can only HOPE they receive some of the incredible benefits that come with turning down their sexual self-censor. I want to be a person to provide the space so they can. In this case it's not about 'the writing'. It's about the ability to let go. The Sexy Sentences workshop on Sunday was such strong evidence to me that I am on the right track.
Is it sheer fluke I get the most amazing people at my workshops? I mean, seriously...? It just gets better all the time! It's like every time I run an event it gets better. And partially that's me tightening things up and taking any feedback on board, but it is also the calibre of people. And the way they express themselves. The groups are increasingly enthusiastic and supportive from the get-go. I learn more about people, sex, relationships, kink, teaching methods, laughter, communication skills and lil ole 'Me' (amongst other surprise bonuses...) at each and every session. But more importantly I find there is at least one person at every workshop who finds this a somewhat life-changing experience. I had a girl in Seattle say 'cunt' aloud for the first time ever. Another Seattle participant was able to start dealing with some deep-seated, very old injuries to do with how she was treated as a child and young adult after my workshop. I've had several people here in Melbourne who have been scared to put pen to paper come along and find themselves full of stories they want to share...
On Sunday I had my mind blown. Not only did I hear some of the most wet and wonderful erotica in AGES, I watched people blossom before my very eyes. I sat and listened as someone who couldn't read their own work aloud, began doing so without even realising it. I smiled as the group applauded his effort. I stood amazed as I watched this same person participate in exercises in which there was no expectation to join in, no pressure to contribute. And this was someone who was so nervous about attending, they weren't even sure their anxiety would allow them to enter the building, let alone sit at the table with the other workshoppers... I was overwhelmed and teary seeing the grin on this young man's face as he stood close to a stranger, listening intently to the dirty whisperings on offer. I watched the joy he found in himself when he realised he could DO this... as he discovered he has a valid voice.
All this to say I am so fucking passionate about continuing what I've started. Words are power. Knowing how to use them is a skill, and when well-honed, a crazy-effective tool for getting what you want out of life. I am plainly seeing results in not only the written and verbal feedback I get, but in the body language, manners and posture of my students. I wanna bust this out. I want to give the gift of an uncensored, yet thoughtful voice to all...
Boom! and good day...