Writing Without a Parachute: The Art of Freefall – a workthrough

Introduction

The aim of this workthrough is to offer a structured reading and working through of Barbara Turner-Vesselago’s creative writing method, Freefall Writing, as laid out in her book, Writing Without a Parachute: The Art of Freefall.

We at Vala would like to give people the chance to offer and receive feedback on their writing, ask questions and offer and receive support. The group would also serve as the "writing buddy" that Barbara talks about in the book. Not everyone can find a buddy and we'd like to offer you friendly feedback, and facilitate a like-minded community of writers.

This is a follow up to our Freefall writing workshop held in April -http://www.valapublishers.coop/freefall-compositions but you don't need to have been at that workshop to join in.

What you need:

A copy of Barbara's book

Writing implements & an email address.

How it will work:

We propose to post a writing prompt based on one chapter every month. (For the first month see next post). Everyone would be invited to read the chapter, and write a piece of creative writing of up to 750 words based on the prompt.   

Please send your writing to valafreefall- at -gmail.com in rtf, txt, doc, docx, or pdf format & I'll post it up on the blog.

Please then use the blog pages to comment on each other's stories and for discussions.

People can drop in when they like, it’s not an all or nothing thing. If it’s a chore one month, or time or circumstance don’t allow then no sweat, join in when you can, although the more you join in the more you’ll get out of it.

 

Be gentle in your feedback, say what you liked about the piece and where the writing touches you and if you’d like to see more.

 

You don’t have to provide feedback, but if you expect feedback on your own work it would be good to offer your own in return.

 

Work at your own pace, the prompts will be provided monthly but if you want to go back to a previous prompt some time later, or are just approaching a prompt for the first time and it seems everyone else is doing another one don’t worry the comments section will remain open for each prompt as we go along.

 

We really look forward to seeing what's going to come out of ths.

 

Barbara may drop in with advice and guidance occasionally.

Writing without a parachute - introduction

This communal workthrough of the Freefall technique is with the support of Vala and Barbara Turner Vasselago.

It will use the Writing without a parachute book published by Vala:



Writing Without a Parachute: The Art of Freefall shows both beginning and experienced writers how to get the thinking mind to step aside, so that writing becomes a truly vulnerable and open-hearted engagement with the moment.

Here for the first time, respected writing teacher Barbara Turner-Vesselago shares in print the method by which she has helped hundreds of writers to publish fiction, memoir, non-fiction and poetry worldwide. By means of five simple precepts, she leads the writer step by step into real trust in writing through the art of Freefall.

Ultimately, the book helps you connect with your deepest intention in writing, and to write with authority and grace. With its fourteen sequential chapters and accompanying writing suggestions, it can be used for inspiration, as a reference tool, or as a sustained, twelve-month course in writing.