First Saturday Writing Workshop - January - "The Power of Rhythm in Writing"

Instructor: Marilyn McEntyre, PhD

This month: In Creative Nonfiction, Eben Pindyck writes, “Some of us, despite our best efforts, struggle to find a graceful rhythm on the page. And yet, the writers who master this are often the ones who make the deepest impact on us as readers.” In this session we’ll consider the importance of rhythm in prose as well as poetry.

Series Description: These 90-minute workshops will address a different topic each month. Each session will include a brief presentation, prompts, a bit of writing and workshopping time, and suggestions for developing a particular writing practice. Handouts offer guides for cultivating new dimensions of your writing. We will talk about language, faith, form, and what a lively, committed writing life entails. All levels of writing experience are welcomed!

Registration Fee: General Tuition $25/ "Living Lightly" Supported Tuition $15

About Marilyn McEntyre: Marilyn is an author, writing coach, and longtime professor of literature. She teaches in the Doctor of Ministry Program, “The Sacred Art of Writing,” at Western Theological Seminary and in the two-year program for Elders, “Forest Dwelling,” at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, as well as conducting ongoing writing workshops through New College Berkeley. Her books include Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies; Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict; and most recently Start With a Word: On the Craft and Adventure of Writing (Eerdmans) and (with Anne Hawkins) As We Age: A Conversation (Wipf and Stock).

First Saturday Writing Workshops 2026-27 Overview: Join this series every month or occasionally, as you are able. Handouts and writing exercises are different for every interactive workshop. Register for each workshop individually here.

September 5, 2026: More Playing with Prompts

October 3, 2026: More about Metaphor

November 7, 2026: Implications and Inferences

January 2, 2027: The Power of Rhythm in Writing

February 6, 2027: Poetry as Craft and Spiritual Practice

March 6, 2027: Layering

April 3, 2027: Letters, Personal and Public

May 1, 2027: The Power of Public Confession

June 5, 2027: From Awareness to Words