What others say about the Woven Word Creative Writing workshops!
"My son took your workshop via zoom not just once but a few times. Since then, he noticed his younger brother had developed the bug for writing so they started working together on writing a television series (thanks to lockdowns there has been plenty of time to study the genre..). This morning I heard my son telling his younger brother, “you know what, we should take Lynn’s workshop together!“ And if I can’t make one because of the time, take one on your own!” And considering the competition amongst these brothers, which led them to never share the same activities, this is a double compliment! |
"It is through the Woven Word Workshop that I came to hear another voice within my "quiet" twelve year old daughter. A voice that let me know that there is a strong woman in waiting within my daughter. The Woven Word Workshops created the place for her to speak and know herself. What more can a mother ask for, than for her daughter to experience her creative self, express herself, and find her voice." The Woven Word has been a place of safety and growth for me. In our writing circles, I have flourished as a writer, and as a person. I am better for the discovery of the Woven Word. |
"Over the years I hae had SO MANY of your Woven Worders in my classes. While they are not alike in style or delivery or interest they have all shared a confidence and playful ease that their peers have often not had a chance to practice. They inspire us all. Thank you so much of the good work that you do! " |
"I cherished the drive home every week in the dark, when my daughter was willing to share her writing from the group. It was a window into her thoughts and a launching place for rich conversations. Lynn helped my daughter to feel a sense of belonging to something outside of herself." |
"It was a fun and insightful process, putting together this workshop and getting to know a bunch of wonderful writers at my college. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to replicate the workshop culture that I enjoyed so much at the Woven Word and watch my circle develop a life of its own." |
"I almost cried (literally) after the first class … That night at dinner (my daughter) asked (unprompted) if we wanted her to read to us what she wrote. Of course we did - and what she wrote, and the beauty of her words - almost brought me to tears. ..This year in school it has been like pulling teeth to get her to do any writing for homework (how many words do I HAVE to write, etc..) Last Wednesday she and Hillary climbed into my car like they have been doing this forever…They proceeded to read to each other…I am delighted with how she is doing - you can't even begin to imagine. Thank you for inspiring her to enjoy writing again!" |
"Every good writing teacher knows some of the tricks to get students writing. Lynn Bowmaster knows not only more than most, but also when and how to use them best." |
Bryan Perley, 20, wrote his college essay on his writing workshop experience over ten years. Click here to see it (not a download). |
"To me, writing is just like speaking. Woven Word helps me put my thoughts to the page. I had a beautiful picture of a secret garden and a fantasy story in my mind. Lynn encourages me to share my imagination through writing." |
"Over the years my daughter has taken every kind of class or lesson available in the Pioneer Valley. Now, at age 12, Lynn's class is the first class that she looks forward to every week. When I pick her up she is bubbling over with enthusiasm and enjoys telling me about the day's class on the ride home. Lynn has an amazing ability to encourage her students to love writing but also listening, critiquing and bonding with fellow students." |
"The workshop is great because after a stressful day of school it's really nice to calm down and write with people around your age. I love having line prompts and object prompts (like an old clog or a carved wooden frame) given to help when I want inspiration. I haven't met a single person who hasn't had a great experience with Lynn." |
"I have a busy schedule and usually feel as if I will never stop moving. The writing workshop was the one place a week where I could take a deep breath and relax. I got a great sense of community from it, I felt comfortable to be myself and to share my thoughts and ideas with the group, even if they felt insane." |
"Looking back, I only have fond memories of those weekly writer's workshop meetings. It was a great opportunity to unleash my creativity and give and receive feedback with other writers. It also created a great sense of community through being able to write together. I am truly grateful that I was able to be a part of that!" |
"Thank you so much Lynn for running Woven Word and exposing me to the wonder of writing at a young age. Your class provided a vital outlet of expression for me and through it I generated poems that won 1st place two years in a row in the Edith Wharton Poetry Competition, Honorable mentions in the Scholastic Arts and Literary Competition, and finally scholarships as I head off to college. You hold a wonderful space for emerging writers to feel comfortable in their creativity. " |
Click here to read a letter of recommendation from the Common School.
Click here or here to read one of the letters of recommendation from the R. K. Finn Ryan Road Elementary School.
Click here to read a letter of recommendation from the Hill Town Cooperative Charter School.
Click here or here to read one of the letters of recommendation from the R. K. Finn Ryan Road Elementary School.
Click here to read a letter of recommendation from the Hill Town Cooperative Charter School.