Classes

Sharon Lippincott's Pittsburgh Area life writing classes

• Carnegie Mellon University Osher Life Long Learning Institute
• University of Pittsburgh Osher Life Long Learning Institute
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Gilda's Club
• Libraries
• Senior centers
• Retirement communities

Sharon's Teleclasses

• National Association of Memoir Writers
• Story Circle Network

Beginning in 2011, I will offer the following list of classes to students all over the world, as teleclasses for groups limited to 8 students, and as self-study courses for individuals. Materials for each course include narrated slide shows, emailed handouts, and personal or group conferences via Skype or teleconference with Sharon. Stay tuned for more information on pricing and details.

Over the last 25 years, over 200 scientific studies have shown conclusively that writing about your life has powerful health benefits. In this four session course students learn about the proven health benefits of five forms of life writing, how these forms interrelate, how to get the most health benefit from each form, and how to select the most appropriate form for specific circumstances and needs.

Nothing adds life and sparkle into your writing like lyrical descriptions and luminous images. In this class you will experiment with activities to expand your awareness of your surroundings, help you to view ordinary objects and events in fresh ways, and access your “write brain”. Short readings will fire your imagination, and writing exercises will help you discover metaphors, similes, and descriptions that flow through a reader's mind like silken ribbons. You'll learn to go beyond simple labels for adding description and discover new techniques for overcoming writer's block.

Dynamic dialogue is one of the most powerful ways to breathe life into people you write about. It relieves the tedium of long stretches of unbroken narration and makes the reader feel more involved in the story. However, many people shy away from using it. They may believe the myth that you have to have a gift or an ear for writing it, and that you are either born with it, or not. They may be concerned about their ability to remember what people really said dozens of years ago or be uncomfortable with the mechanics of punctuating dialogue. This workshop will address all those concerns and fill your writer’s toolkit with everything you need to give your characters voices.

Sharon's students say . . .

This tele-seminar is such an inspiration and so valuable to me expanding ways of thinking and creating.... makes me SPARKLE like Veuve Clicquot! -Rosalyn K., Tampa Bay, FL

This teleclass helped me take my writing to the next level. The material was clearly presented and I enjoyed the discussions with other students. Sharon's feedback was always helpful and the videos awesome. -Jackie M., Phoenix, AZ

I so appreciated the excellent videos. They were a real inspiration for my writing. Of course the discussion helped too. Please let me know when you'll be teaching another tele-class so I can sign up. Paula 0., Dayton, OH

Thanks for the wonderful course and these equally wonderful downloads. The course was very informative and will be very helpful to me. I do hope that we meet up again. Kudos to you and gratitude. -Rosalind K., Pittsburgh, PA

Sharon Lippincott's class has been a joy - It is most informative - I look forward to more of her writing classes. - Anita J, Pittsburgh, PA

Media, PowerPoint excellent. Good she includes own stories to clarify or explain. Good referenced, bibliography for class. length of course just right. Good range of info to go from private journals to publication. - Anonymous, Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks for teaching the Writing for the Health of It class at OLLI. It was very well done. I especially liked your PowerPoint work - it was most original and oh so soft. Your class was one of the better writing classes that OLLI has offered, IMHO. I will be on the lookout for classes you might choose to offer at Pitt's OLLI in the future. - Richard H, Pittsburgh, Pa

Spectacular class. Thanks. Please put me on your mailing list. - Susan R, Mt. Lebanon, PA I especially liked your PowerPoint work - it was most original and oh so soft.

Contact Sharon for further details about any class.