New dates for Fresh Writing (plus spring tips)

Spring has come and it’s time for even fresher writing!

Here are the dates for the next series of our Fresh Writing Classes at The Werks.

Tuesdays 10.30 – 12.30

1 April
CANCELLED DUE TO NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

22 April

6 May

20 May

Put them in your diaries now if you have a positive intention to come and learn / create / express / play.

More information about the classes here.

To celebrate the fresh new season – three top tips for improving your writing & blogging… and expanding your mind…

1. Watch your verbs

Verbs are (remember!?) “doing words”. They are the action of your sentences. If you want your writing to jump from the page, give it legs. Think about your verbs. Use new ones. Take risks, combine them in new ways with your nouns (”naming words”). Experiment. Wake people up. Surprise them.

Here is a list to play with, inspired by Spring…

Use them in unlikely ways and surprise yourself. Thaw those frozen fingers. Explode onto the page. Or just tweet a little.

2. Stay alert with new ideas

The wonders of modern tech. Register a Google Alert for a key word expression that relates to your work / passion / writing / life. One of mine is “authentic blogging”. I get sent blog posts from all around the world that use these two key words together. I am forever finding relevant, inspiring new material to write/blog about.

Give it a try. Register here and follow the prompts.

It’s easier than you think.

3. You Think, I Think, We Think (Better) Together

Last thing is… you just gotta watch this clip… if you are remotely interested in creativity and innovation. Yum.

http://authenticblogging.com/2008/03/26/you-think-i-think-we-think-better-together/

Better still, buy the book. “We Think” by Charles Leadbetter.

Reap what you sow.

Hope to see you some Tuesday.

Libby

PS – Happy to come into organisations and do affordable bespoke sessions.

Please forward to anyone interested, with many thanks

More posts on writing to help get your words flowing…

You Think, I Think, We Think (Better) Together

Been reading reviews about Charles Leadbetter’s book We Think all over the place. Got to get my hands on a copy sooon (come on Rosie, hand it over).

If anyone is trying to get their heads around Web 2.0, social media, new paradigm thinking and all that claptrap – get a look at this. Lovely simple animation. I’m going to use it at the beginning of all my courses. Free event coming up soon to give people a taste of it all. Watch this space.

Guardian review here (including Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations by Clay Shirky) which also looks reeal good.

Shame The Big Issue review isn’t available online. A different and very valid take on things.

No wonder most journalist’s I meet are annoyed with blogging and What’s Going On with we-think.

No wonder I am compelled to work in and support this space.

So glad Rosie Sherry is in it with me (thanks for the video).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiP79vYsfbo&hl=en]

Fresh Writing Classes in Brighton

For Beginners & Professionals

Express * Create * Connect * Learn * Grow * Play

A chance to let your words rip and flow. Fun, fresh activities will make these classes one of the highlights of your week.Perfect for anyone who uses the written word to communicate, eg. social enterprise folk, creatives, geeks, government folk, artists, writers, journalists, communications professionals, business people, activists, eco-warriors, peaceniks, bloggers. Come one and all!

“Fun, interesting and worthwhile – personally and professionally. I’m glad I took time out of a lousy schedule to do this class. Now I can rite reel good.”

“It’s been easier to write. I’m jotting down ideas again and having more of them. It’s the creative convalescence, soon I’ll be back at full strength.”

Find out what else regular participants are saying about them here…

Great writing exercises and games that build confidence, dissolve writers block and get your fingers flying across the page or keyboard.

* Connect with your real voice
* Enjoy expressing yourself again (or for the first time?)
* Give the ferocious editor (or “inner critic”) a holiday and let your words flow freely
* Learn how to write effectively for different audiences, and even for yourself
* Write authentically and learn to connect, be heard and seen by others for who you are

* Stand out from the crowd and compete in the “Attention Economy” of the new world order
* Enjoy writing like a person, not a corporate-speak, “we’re not listening anymore” brochure.
* Get help editing and planning your writing projects
* Join our fab new online space and share youre words, projects, ideas – get extra resources (all students eligible to join).

Your teacher Libby Davy from Authentic Blogging has a background in creative and professional writing, editing, education and strategic communications.

Venue:

The Werks
45 Church Road
Hove
BN3 2BE
www.werkshop.org.uk

Bike, bus or drive if you must. Parking is only a quid for two hours

When?

10.30 – 12.30

1 July

15 July

Put them in your diaries now if you have a positive intention to come and learn / create / express / play.

£13 per session (on the day) or £20 for last two.

Still offering first class free to permanent desk spacers at The Werks and friends of students.

Leave a comment if you would like to know what we will be going in Autumn or to make suggestions…

Please help this grow by spreading the word to those that might be interested.

Contact Libby Davy on 07968 687 107 or libby@nodestone.com

Some folk already starting to book in and watch what’s happening at Upcoming: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/402221/

About Libby
Hello there. I have a degree in communications and have taught writing, editing, publishing and strategy at a university and community level. I am a published and awarded short-story writer (very low-key to be honest) and have had work broadcast on national radio. For many years I have been studying education and involved in a range of education projects, in addition to my own teaching practice. Completed part one of an innovative new Masters programme in Person-Centred Education at Sussex University, and may even return one day.

For many years, I consulted in strategic communications and marketing, and business coaching – with an increasing emphasis on ethical, sustainable / environmental and social enterprise.

In essence, I am a fun, friendly, Australian mother with a passion for creative expression, business, education and human potential – including yours!

http://nodestone.com/2008/05/29/fresh-writing-each-fortnight/

http://nodestone.com/2008/03/28/new-dates-for-fresh-writing-plus-spring-tips/

Pronetos – social network for scholars

Have just signed up to experiment with Pronetos, and will let you know how I get on. Meet you there?

Pronetos is the social network for scholars.

It is a home for University Faculty, Graduate Students, and Research Professionals of every academic discipline who want to be recognized as leaders in their field.

Pronetos gives you a platform to network and collaborate with your colleagues all over the world.

With Pronetos you have a forum for building ideas, a place to keep up with the latest trends and topics in your field, and the ability to nurture your professional legacy.

Initial Feedback to Blogging Courses

I found a moment to put together a list of all the positive messages you have sent in via email and text during the first three weeks of the beginners blogging course.

These are all totally unsolicited. Imagine what we might hear if we asked? (There will be a proper evaluation of the course later on.)

All I can say is, it’s been a pleasure. You are great people to work with!

There is of course much room for growth. As the tag line reads on my other blog – “Learning – It’s about the journey.”

- Libby

“… participating in your Academic Blogging course is the most thought-provoking and stimulating process I’ve engaged in academically for a long time! It’s dawning on me how blogging could, if I choose, profoundly change the way I do my research work, connect with others in my field and beyond, and go about the whole business of creating ‘knowledge’.”

“I just keep wanting to let you know how much joy and excitement and hope you’ve put back into my life.”

“I feel quite excited about the journey we have embarked upon. Still not sure what i will do with my blog but i am trusting the process.”

“What an amazing group of people you’ve brought together… what a power house and how brilliantly you are bringing us out – thank you.”

“thank you, thank you, thank you. I didn’t expect to be feeling quite so inspired and empowered by my first blogging session. I feel seen and encouraged to open into all of me and offer it out to the world.”

“thanks for a great session…. I can see us having a reunion in ten years time remembering where it all started….”

“Many thanks Libby for getting us all off to a great start.”

“I’m starting to realise from what you’ve been saying is write what you love and the money will come – probably in mysterious ways.”

“Enjoyed yesterday and found it very useful.”

“I’m really enjoying the course.”

“It was a great session, thank you Libby – and thanks to the rest of you for coming at the subject from such differing stances. “

Free E-Book on the Essence of Authentic Blogging

Here’s a living document I prepared for our first three groups of budding bloggers. I feel a collaborative book coming on.

Not sure I see myself in the same light as the company I am keeping in this collection, but some wonderful people to be gaining inspiration from all the same. David Bohm, Carl Rogers, Carl Jung, Natalie Goldberg, Julia Cameron, The Cluetrain folk, Scoble, Meerman Scott (in some order of importance).

We see this as essential reading for anyone on a quest for personal and professional growth through blogging, but it is a very first draft. Stay tuned for more…

Have a read and let me know which quotes resonate most for you…

FREE E-BOOK on the Essence of Authentic Blogging
More posts on writing to help get your words flowing…

Libel & Defamation

As I know some of you bloggers will be getting stuck into people and institutions from time to time, here’s the bbc’s take on how to handle yourselfs. Just be kind, but true I guess. And don’t say I didn’t warn you. You could also think media karma… but please do take part in truth.

Authentic Blogging for Staff at Sussex

It’s early days here in the development of our courses for academics and blogging virgins. So I am going to show you this presentation on the proviso that you see it as a beta version okay.

Session one went well this week, with our first brave group of budding bloggers at the top notch Sussex Uni last week. It’s been a huge week, with three new groups starting. Lots to blog in a reflective way about how it’s all going. For now, I am just trying to get as many resources up for them (and you all) as possible.

There’s no substitute for actually being there, but some of these posts might get you thinking and feeling what Authentic Blogging might do for you. In a personal and professional growth, integrated human way. Yay.

Viva la online revolution!

[slideshare id=132666&doc=blogging-for-academics2577&w=425]

Also putting up the extra items that can’t be read easily in the presentation.

Academic Stakeholders - Stakeholder mapping is an exercise we run all our clients through. We say “Think of yourself as the first audience for your blog”, but then you really need to start knowing how to talk to your stakeholders. But then, as Gra calls it, blogs still allow a wonderful sense of “Enhanced Serendipity”, so you never really know who’s going to drop in and make a connection.

Academic Blogging Mindmap - Novamind Pro mindmapping is great but has a few glitches to sort in the next version, so here are the links from the main Authentic Blogging mindmap for now. Some of these are very specific and others are by way of example to begin exploring the concepts.

Collaboration

• Wikinomics

Deep (or person-centred or holistic) learning

I tend towards social constructivism and am much inspired by the Reggio project. See my previous blog “Learning” re: this. All linked to life orientation and current MA in Person-Centred Education at Sussex.

• Human becoming

More links to come…ie, reflection, story telling, dialogue… so much material to share! Feeling rather evangelical about the potential of blogging for human communication, connection and learning.

More posts on Academics Blogging…

Write like you talk

Two of us sat there yesterday in the midst of the Meme Mamma’s Monday group, listening to Lucy West talk her Journey Work talk. She really knows her stuff. I hope to tell you a little more about each of the founding course participants when they give me the okay.

Sarah and I said, just blog the way you talk. She was right on it. Clear, coherent, flowing, passionate and highly engaging.

I found this post at the legendary Kathy Sierra’s blog Creating Passionate Users.

Conversational writing kicks formal writing’s ass

Okay, she’s American, and proud of it. That aside Kathy says a whole lot about writing style in the new online paradigm and many other worlds besides.

Hope it helps you talk your talk, and connect with others who share your passions.

This is also a grand example of a blog that PASSIONATELY engages the audience. Wow, look at the comments and discussion on this one post alone. She has been around for a long time, blogging, publishing, speaking out publically and has at times been highly controversial. My guess is, Kathy has always been pretty Authentic. She is who she is. She takes risks.

Learning to communicate better, wherever, whoever

Beautiful resources for learning more, much more about communication at New Conversations.

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