Comments From Participants

"Again I thank you Ellen for your encouragement, expertise, constructive suggestions, loving support, and kind friendship. My cousin who is an organizer in the yearly writer's conference [in her state], has asked me many questions about your classes since there is new grant money for writing classes. I rave about your skills, so she wants to learn more about your style of teaching as she applies for this grant money. I sent her to your website, but the truth is that it's not the techniques I can list that matter as much as your perceptive reading, your ability to give consistent constructive feedback, and the nurturing atmosphere you create." 2011

"Thank you for always having tea and hot water and honey available for us. I really enjoy your writing class and hope to be able to join again in the spring or summer. Thanks for making this writing experience so much fun and rewarding." 2010

"I'm noticing that the essays since a year ago when I began writing with you are more engaging and powerful, because I went for my grief rather than trying to conceal it or make it more acceptable to others…It has been nurturing and inspiring to have you walking beside me for more than a year now. Friends who read the articles I have written said that my writing has become stronger and more engaging. I owe much to you for the suggestions you give and the structure you create." 2010

"I wanted to tell you that I'd like to take the marathon class if there's still room. Also, that a number of my poems were accepted for an online publication." 2010

"I just wanted to thank you so much for writing me a recommendation. The other two people who wrote me letters were not familiar with my writing so your letter was really important and so meaningful to me personally."
(Upon acceptance into MFA program) 2010

"As I reflect back to my work done in the Writing Room, I am so grateful for your cues and guidance. The opportunity let my subconscious 'out to play' giving it a safe place to be blessed into reality. Thank you so very much, Ellen, honestly taking your class was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I still hold on to our last writing assignment, knowing that when I am able...no let me rephrase…when I want to write again, that is where I will start." 2009

"I think the structure you've created for the class is excellent. All the aspects feed into each other nicely." 2008

"[The class] inspired me to write more." 2008

"I am still awed by the different tangents we all take on the same topic. The human mind is so very amazing, isn't it? Makes me smile, makes me laugh, often makes me sad, I guess, and makes me think hard. What fun!" 2008

"If you ever want to have a wonderful writing, self-discovery, and sharing experience in a comfortable environment where senses of humor are very welcome and critiques are gentle, positive, and insightful -- I recommend Ellen's workshop. …[I feel] absolutely fulfilled and more. I not only 'wrote through a rough spot,' I gained more confidence as a writer and creative thinker. If you have an ongoing or dreamed-of writing project, Ellen's technique can even help you get unstuck or pick up the momentum. She's really amazing." 2007

"It feels good to write again. I feel grateful to you for helping me into the gentle waters of creativity." 2007

"And thank you for your energy and ability to 'pull' things out of us!" 2007

"You amazed me, remembering the details in each of our stories and finding a way to encourage each of us. I'm really enjoying the space & place to write. I'm looking forward to future sessions." 2007

"Thank you for the kind words. Such diverse thoughts/writing among so few people! Interesting, indeed." 2006

"It is an honor to be part of the group!!" 2006

"Your reflective skills stood out to me. Very thorough reflective responding doesn't happen so frequently in everyday life --I tried to listen deeply to everyone's stories and to anticipate how you would respond. But I had trouble generating in my mind as perspicacious and warmly genuine of a reflection as you did." 2005

"I left feeling VERY enthusiastic about writing. For 5-6 years, writing was completely shelved from my consciousness: I had gradually come to conceive of the activity as completely foreign, something that someone else is meant to do, not me. But I left with a warm sensation of writing and its potentials: as fun, as self-introspection, as a channel, as a friend, as a purpose -- and these feelings about writing enriched my life. Thank you for instigating this unforeseen excitement." 2005