What is the Late Bloomer's Section?

“I was a late bloomer. But anyone who blooms at all, ever, is very lucky.”

– Sharon Olds, Pulitzer-prize winning poet

 

A note from Steph Gangi, Workshop Leader:

Who Should Take This Course

Any 40 and over writers with an idea that won't let go, a moribund manuscript that needs reviving, pages in search of a theme or project management, or simply, the deep creative need to finally write.

For most of my “grown-up” life, I committed to everything 100%, except my true passion: writing. It nagged at me for years and at age 57 I thought, Tick tock, getting late. Since, I’ve published stories, essays, poems and two novels, and the third is with my agents.

Yes, it takes luck and some talent, but to be honest, it was mostly old-fashioned focus + persistence. Fiction and non-fiction, short story, memoir, essay: Over 4 days in Udine, you’ll will draw on memory, experience, wisdom, your singular perspective – not to mention the intoxicating Italian vibe – to jump start or revive the writing life you’ve always wanted.

What This Course Is About

Over 4 days, you and your colleagues will:

  • Identify common writer obstacles and blocks, cut them down to size and navigate past them, otherwise known as silencing the internal critic
  • Define your project from an idea or existing pages, otherwise known as making the commitment
  • Figure out a project management plan or, trusting the process
  • Write every day: in workshop and on your down time or, stacking pages
  • Draft a writing practice plan for home, otherwise known as how to stick to it
  • Learn the tools, hacks, work-arounds and course-correction methods to keep you productive, or assemble the craft toolbox you need for your work
  • Be excited and inspired and propelled forward, with a new, supportive community, otherwise known as you’re not in this alone

As we approach our conference date, I’ll reach out to each of you for a short Zoom to introduce myself, hear your goals for the Udine week, and address any questions or concerns. All input welcomed! Meantime, I’ll be working to customize each of our 4 days for maximum productivity and success and fun.