Workshops Roselee Blooston has more than 40 years of teaching experience, including on the faculties of the University of Texas at Austin, the New School, Montclair State University, and the American Musical & Dramatic Academy. Recently, she presented writing and guided imagery workshops–“Becoming a New You” and “Things Left Unsaid”–for the international support organization Camp Widow at its San Diego and Toronto conventions, and gave a Master Class on memoir writing at Quinnipiac University. Roselee has created artist-in-the-schools programs for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, taught for the Smithsonian Institution, and acted as a Master Teacher for the D.C. Public Schools. In 1998 she founded Tunnel Vision Writers’ Project, Inc., a non-profit organization, which she directed until 2005. While running TVWP, she created and facilitated critique groups for fiction, memoir, poetry, and playwriting, and began her private coaching and editing services. Currently, Roselee teaches The Write Your Life Workshop in Rhinebeck, NY for writers of memoir, blogs, and personal essays. She is currently facilitating a Write Your Story workshop for people with chronic conditions at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. FOR WRITERS: The Write Your Life Workshop DURING THE WORKSHOP, EACH PARTICIPANT WILL • Explore the distinction between memoir and autobiography • Identify themes for a prospective memoir or personal essay • Frame real situations and people on the page with authenticity • Understand the distinction between personal and private • Create an outline (arc) for a proposed project • Hone descriptive writing skills, especially for place and setting • Learn how dialogue reveals character and propels action • Practice writing scenes that show, rather than tell • Learn to put drama/conflict inherent in the story on the page • Write from in-class prompt exercises and at-home assignments • Receive individual attention and feedback • Begin the first draft of a memoir or personal essay Master Classes in Memoir and Playwriting for College and University Creative Writing Departments & Theater Departments Private Coaching and Editing Services Polish your novel, get that short story or poetry collection together, or ready your play or memoir for submission with private one on one mentoring, detailed critique of character, plot, tone, structure, developmental editing, and revision of your manuscript. Not quite ready for editing? Private Coaching will encourage, and nudge you to fulfill your writing goals. Strengthen, sustain and complete your literary projects with weekly sessions, including personally tailored writing exercises to help you revise. FOR  THOSE  DEALING  WITH  LOSS: The Becoming a New You Workshop attendees at my Camp Widow San Diego When Roselee Blooston’s husband Jerry, died suddenly overseas nine years ago, she entered two foreign territories: that of the Middle East, and the even more daunting one of grief itself. Her dual journeys gave her perspective on who she had been during her marriage, and who she could become, now that it was after. An experienced teacher, author, and speaker, Roselee has much to offer others mourning a loved one, about how to frame their loss, carry that love forward, and honor the past, while becoming a new you. Workshop participants will come away with concrete techniques, using guided imagery, writing, and the sharing of personal stories, with which to move into the future. Jane Brody, New York Times bestselling author, and a widow herself, called Roselee’s book, DYING IN DUBAI-a memoir of marriage, mourning, and the Middle East, “a helpful and, yes, healthy lesson for surviving the trials and tribulations of widowhood and the essential task of becoming a "new you." Roselee looks forward to sharing what she has learned with anyone dealing with loss. Materials required: paper and pen. The Things Left Unsaid Workshop   For many who have dealt with sudden loss, as well as for those whose loss was expected, there are unresolved questions between us and our loved ones–things unsaid and undone, issues we would have worked on together, if we had had more time. Now we must come to terms with them on our own. How did Roselee do this? And how can you? Through her story and her deep experience as both an author and a teacher of memoir, Roselee will offer writing strategies for finding resolution and healing. Participants will write from simple, brief prompts, including directed journaling, letters to your loved one and yourself, and the creation of a two minute play about the conversation you need to have with your person in order to move forward with love, peace and health. There will be time during the workshop for sharing and discussion. Materials required: paper and pen. with participants in "Write Your Story-Memoir Writing for Everyone" 2019 Fall Wellness Series, The Center for Healthy Aging, Northern Dutchess Hospital,  Rhinebeck, NY FOR  THOSE  WITH  CHRONIC  CONDITIONS: Write Your Story WRITE YOUR STORY offers participants the opportunity to explore and give voice to thoughts, feelings, memories, experiences, and family stories through the written word. One does not have to be a writer to attend the workshop.Using guided imagery, letter writing, simple, brief in-class writing exercises, directed journaling, and the sharing of personal stories in a safe creative space, participants will expand their sense of wellbeing in the present and enhance possibilities for self-renewal in the future. They will learn concrete techniques, creative tools, and writing strategies with which to frame their journey, and move forward. By honoring past experiences in writing, they will affirm the impact of these experiences and create a healthy foundation for who they have become and who they can still be. Such writing can serve as a source of comfort, connection, healing, and legacy. Every session will allow time for sharing and discussion. (Currently sponsored by Northern Dutchess Hospital; call 845-871-1720, ext. 1 for more information.) For fees and further information email: roselee@roseleeblooston.com