Captiva Civic Association to host writing workshop on healing trauma
‘Voices of the Storm: Writing Your Story in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian’ Tuesday
Reservations are open for a free upcoming workshop that will focus on therapeutic writing.
The Captiva Civic Association will host “Voices of the Storm: Writing Your Story in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian” on March 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m at the Captiva Civic Center. Led by author, editor and island resident Ilie Ruby, participants will learn how to process their experiences through writing.
Executive Director Emily Hess Ankerson explained that Ruby proposed the workshop to help people process any trauma through writing, particularly as it relates to what they have dealt with with Ian.
“All storms become personal, and if you drill down deep enough, the personal becomes universal,” Ruby shared. “While many of us have been pouring our energy into rebuilding our homes, businesses and communities, it’s vital that we include ourselves in the ‘rebuilding’ equation. Processing our personal experience through writing can help us restore our inner resources.”
“Telling our story is a proven and powerful tool for healing,” she added.
Ankerson explained that Ruby has experience teaching others how to use writing to heal. In the workshop, she will guide participants through the process by using examples and her background.
“She will lead people through the process of writing to process trauma,” she said.
Participants should bring a pen or pencil and journal or notebook to use.
Ruby is the author of two novels, “The Language of Trees” and “The Salt God’s Daughter.” Her essays have been published in the New York Times, CNN, AOL and Forward, among others. Ruby’s awards include the Edwin L. Moses Fiction Prize, Kerr Foundation Scholarship and Phi Kappa Phi Award for Fiction. She is also a recipient of the Wesleyan Writer’s Conference Nonfiction Scholarship and Kemp Award for Outstanding Teaching and Scholarship.
Ruby has taught at literary conferences nationwide and she offers writing workshops, as well as coaches people on the transformative process of writing to heal.
While the workshop is free, reservations are required as space is limited.
To make a reservation, visit ccacaptiva.org.
The community is encouraged to reserve their spot.
“I think it could be very helpful for people who are still working through what happened,” Ankerson said. “It’s kind of a different approach for people to try, a different avenue for people to perhaps process what they’ve been through.”
For more information, visit the CCA website or contact 239-472-2111 or info@ccacaptiva.org.
The Captiva Civic Center is at 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva.