Comments From Participants

Workshop participants share information about themselves only through their writing. What is shared is completely determined by each participant. Workshop participants have ranged in age from 20 to early 80s. Their work backgrounds include nurse, restaurant server, physician, hairdresser, therapist, social worker, acupuncturist, musician, life spent in or working in prison, athlete, artist, crafts person, scientist, poet, bank teller, educator, real estate agent, bookkeeper, author, clergy person, nutritionist and exercise physiologist among others. They have come from various parts of the US, Denmark, Chile, Canada, India, Croatia, Korea, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Armenia, Egypt, France and Germany. The comments below are identified only by date in respect of the privacy of the participants.


"...it really stimulated some deep work... that is obviously my truth. Did love being with the others on Thursday and will miss them and seeing you weekly. You are helping poets and writers give birth to themselves! Was working on taxes all day - now off to dinner - would rather write! Edited the poem from class - I'm happy with it. see you tonight." 2013

"In class,....each of us has a distinct style as well as universal themes/feelings. I have gotten to appreciate a wider range of styles; in particular I am more aware now than I was in earlier classes that each class has a personality and distinct gifts to offer us...I fully expect this to be another fulfilling class. I aspire to be (almost) as able as you are to see people's potential beyond whatever limitations/hesitations they have at any given moment. Thanks, again, for being you." 2013

"I miss you and your table and the writers around it. But I'm so grateful for the happy and comforting and provoking and electrifying hours spent in those writing circles. Thank you." 2013

"Thanks for seeing the best in me re: the writing. I can imagine how you need those words of encouragement re: the class as well. Usually people just assume the teacher needs no support. Well I'm here to tell you, people blossom in your class because you see the best in them. Thanks for your earlier suggestions on the poems. I had no idea that your class would force some unexpected much appreciated writing out of me." 2013

"For what it is worth, today is my 86th day in a row of writing on my book, in the mornings at 6, right when I get up. I love starting my mornings with the words and sentences. It was WONDERFUL sitting at your table; I learned so much and really enjoyed myself each time. The safe but prodding environment elicited writing that I'm proud of, and that I didn't know I could produce. Watching that happen before my eyes was spell-binding. Thank you!" 2013

"As difficult as it is for me to be there sometimes, I do appreciate so much the impetus the weekly meetings give me to write, and that you do the amazing work you do of listening, and really hearing each of us." 2013

"You are the magic that makes it work. You always inspire us to do more by seeing why our writing is meaningful! And the results of all of us doing it together is very exciting. Thanks so much." 2012

"It was a wonderful workshop. Thank you, Ellen for being the world’s best listener, someone who knows how to draw forth the best in each of us. I had sufficient time for writing, and I’m still reflecting on the feedback. It was good that you also allowed time at the end to just chat informally with each other. All in all, a terrific day, and I hope there will be another workshop next year." 2012

"It makes me glad to know that you will read this new draft first and talk with me about it before I do a final go through. I love working in collaboration with you and am grateful." 2012

"I was going through a drawer in my bedroom and found a journal with my writings from 2004 on Star Island. I sat down to read them-some coming back to me and others as if I had never read them let alone wrote them. Tears came to my eyes-some of them the cause of tears, and some just leaving me overwhelmed with amazement that I had written them. And the prompts-absolutely amazing! Well, I decided to copy them into the computer for posterity-who knows who will ever see them, and maybe I'll print them out and put them into a binder, for who knows why. I quickly thought of you and how wonderful a facilitator you are during the writing workshops. Not that no one else can do the job, but you have something that I cannot describe, that others don't have. And so, I want to thank you again for the hundredth time." 2012

"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