Student Comments
James (US-Japan), Brendan (Eire-Australia) and Tiffany (US)… scroll down to read their comments after wrapping up Initiation in Zushi on May 24, 2009
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP, PART 2, LEVEL 1, INITIATION
This course helped me put down on paper many of my inner thoughts, as well as helped me observe and write about seemingly everyday objects and what they mean to or inspire in me. Angela’s comments and praise have given me the courage and conviction to to continue writing on my own, for my personal development, memoirs and other purposes.
Heather Willson - Do-er extraordinaire, Enoshima, Japan-Canada, August 2010)
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP, PART 2, LEVEL 1, INITIATION
Thank you to Angela for another inspiring workshop and thank you to you, Chris and Jeff, for all your kind feedback and for your warm company on the day. The workshops always feel like special days and I am taking away a lot. I hope that we can do the next step together too.
(Alena)
A wonderful, enlightening course!
(Jeffrey Jouson - Music producer, US-Tsukuba, Japan, July 2010) )
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP, PART 1, LEVEL 1, INITIATION
Up to now, I’ve just been wondering why I can’t move forward,
find my path, etc… now I have a little more insight, so thank you all.
On another positive note, I finished the first draft of my book on
Tuesday, it is being translated as we speak, and hopefully the
editor will not be too brutal with it after that!
Chris Foskett (business coach, Australia-Japan, May 2010)
The DOTWW (Initiation) workshop was a true initiation into the spiritual side of writing. As Angela guided us during the various exercises, the thoughts, feelings and yes, the words too, came pouring out. It was a great joy to experience a stream of ideas which found their way seemingly so effortlessly onto the paper. An atmosphere most suitable to ignite creativity and the warm company of fellow writers provided a much needed repose from the lonely construction of texts without any spirit. I am looking forward to continuing my DOWW journey.
Elena Eckelmann (freelance writer & researcher, Germany-Japan, May 2010)
I am really sorry I can not join all of you again on July 25. Last time (May 19) I was inspired - mostly with my misty eyes…
Nathalie (language instructor, France-Japan, May 2010)
Angela’s ‘Drawing on the Writer Within’ courses have been transformational experiences, not only in my approach to writing, but in the widening of my perspective on my life, and the possibilities therein. The proprioceptive writing exercises were an ideal guide for me to drop the inner critic and simply write. I also very much appreciate the ‘What do I mean by…’ prompt, as it led me to insights about my own meanings that I would have been hard pressed to discover otherwise. I highly recommend DOTWW to help build a solid foundation for and knowledge of, your inner vision.
Terri MacMillan (writer/producer/internet identity coach - Modern Media Japan 2010)
LEVEL 3, AFFIRMATION, MARCH -APRIL 2010
In Level 1, I found my writing voice again after many years of silence. In Level 2, I found my major themes. In Level 3, my voice is growing stronger still and my themes are more sharply defined. Inspired by the weekly assignments, I am writing more and more; often getting as many as four pieces of work from one assignment. By the end of the course, I will have a good, solid body of work to expand upon for future writing projects.
Kathryn (writer, US-Tokyo, April 2010)
DOTWW classes have opened up a whole new world to myself. When I first started, I was pretty timid but with each course I have grown and am continually surprised as I find my voice in each new exercise.
Mary (jeweller, US-Tokyo, April 2010)
EXTRACT FROM E-MAIL, OCTOBER 28, 2009
I realize that whenever I stop writing, I stop reflecting. Writing is a necessary process for me, whenever I go back to it I experience a sense of deepness, purpose and calmness.
Jacinta (resources manager & coach - Netherlands-Tokyo 2009)
FIRST HALF OF FIRST-LEVEL INITIATION IN ZUSHI, OCT 11, 2009
This workshop brought about the actualisation; a setting in stone as it were, that I am a writer. And with that came the outward acknowledgement that I need to honour that fact with my thoughts, words and actions. And now that I have gone beyond this point of no return, I am imbued with a new sense of purpose and also one of peace. Thank you Angela.
D.
WRITE WITH ANGELA, OCTOBER 7, 2009
While I was in away from Japan (7 months away from WWA), I did WRITES fairly often, but more often than not they ended up as trips down memory lane, with me managing to avoid the very issues that led me to a WRITE in the first place.
Last week, back at WWA, I felt I had come home (tempted to ask “the question” - what do I mean by “I felt I had come home”).
Writing is by its very nature solitary work, no matter what sort of writing it is. Kurt Vonnegut described it as “making wallpaper by hand.” But, just being in the same room with other writers, knowing they are “getting on with it” always gives me a feeling of renewed vigor and courage. We are not all in the same boat. We are all in separate boats, but bobbing in the same sea, trying to catch the words we need in our nets. They are getting on with it.
Be brave, I think. Get on with it yourself.
Kathryn (writer - US-Tokyo, 2009)
LEVEL 2 - EXPLORATION, SEPTEMBER 2009
Talking to Nancy on the train (home) about how much we’d enjoyed the meeting (class), I found myself thinking: It’s not my pleasure, it’s my food.
Alison (writer - Scotland-Tokyo, 2009)
WRITE WITH ANGELA, JULY 1, 2009
Thanks for a wonderfully intense evening of WRITES. And thanks to everyone for surrendering to flow and writing such amazing pieces. I find these evenings inspiring, liberating and therapeutic, plus they help me of course get connected with my own thoughts (or rather my thoughts get connected with me) and confirm I am on the right track with my writing.
And thanks for sharing the information on Gary Renard. I checked him out, bought The Disappearance of the Universe on audiobook and am now listening to it. I also listened to his latest podcast in which he was telling he was about to leave for Japan.
As synchronicity always has its way, I have been wanting to read/study A Course in Miracles, and this all serves as a nice reminder (message/sign) that the time has come to get started.
Jacinta (resources manager & coach - Netherlands-Tokyo 2009)
FIRST HALF OF FIRST-LEVEL INITIATION IN ZUSHI, JUNE 14, 2009
Thank you again for the day and all your insights and kindness. Your words are still bouncing around in my head.
Robin (professor - Canada-Chigasaki,Japan 2009)
I had a long talk with my husband about your workshop. He was impressed on how much positivity I brought back. During the talk with him, I actually had some glimpses of the “signs” you were telling us to watch for. It was like a slap on the face, a gentle sort of one.
Sara (financial consultant - Indonesia-Japan 2009)
Please add my name to the list for [the follow-up workshop on] July 26. I would like to complete level one.
Carla (lecturer in Brazilian literature - Brazil-Tokyo 2009)
SECOND HALF OF FIRST-LEVEL INITIATION HELD IN ZUSHI, MAY 24, 2009
It was pretty enlightening and reinforced the fact that I must write for my own sanity.
Tiffany (singer-songwriter - US 2009)
FIRST HALF OF FIRST-LEVEL INITIATION IN ZUSHI, MAR 15, 2009
I wrote up the piece from the end of the workshop last night when I got home and yes, I’m fine about you putting it up on the website. I wrote two ‘n’ half pages on the train this morning, and I felt good about it. I’ve never felt like that about anything I wrote before.
Brendan (IT specialist - Eire/Yokosuka 2009)
I did another WRITE over the weekend, and I can’t tell you how eye-opening it was. The class has really helped me approach the act of writing from a whole different perspective.
James (finance manager- US/Tokyo 2009)
FIRST-HALF OF FIRST LEVEL INITIATION IN ZUSHI, FEB 1, 2009
I really thought your approach to understanding our own creative focus and what blocks that, as well as of course writing and, of course, being able to write more freely if unblocked, was uplifting. But obviously I have a way to go. The process part is also difficult - like you said writing is a craft, which should be practised to flow. I will definitely look for a similar workshop in Chicago.
Gillian (professor - UK/Kamakura/US 2009)
MEMOIR WORKSHOP, WOMEN’S CONFERENCE ON IZU, JAN 24, 2009
Well done, Angela! The trip down memory lane brought genuine language to delve into both the known and digging deeper into the unknown.
Sarah Oba (missionary-US/Tokyo January 2009)
FIRST HALF OF SECOND LEVEL (EXPLORATION) VIA SUNDAY WORKSHOP (DECEMBER 2008)
Angela is not only a teacher but also a LEADER! She leads the participants, through various exercises, on a journey to find their own inner voice and to put that voice to paper. Each member, through this discovery, is able to go deep within their subconscious and write about various “things.” Some of those things may be painful to confront and others may be joyous to behold but it is all part of the writing process and one which will enable the individual to grow and expand his or her own world.
Richard Carpenter (teacher/poet - US/Tokyo 2009)
SECOND LEVEL COURSE (EXPLORATION), MAY 16 - JULY 18, 2008
Thanks to Angela’s dedication to her writers, her patience, wisdom and insight, I not only found my writing voice again, I found parts of myself that I had forgotten. I hoped the courses would get me back to writing. Ultimately, they took me back to my true self.
Kate (writer) - US-Tokyo 2008
FIRST-LEVEL COURSE (INITIATION), MAY 8 - JUNE 26, 2008
I’d like to say how much I enjoyed the DOTWW Initiation Course. What do I mean by enjoyed? I mean derived pleasure from, experienced as fun, entertaining or enjoyable. Mmmm. That’s out then, since I can’t honestly say that that is how I experienced it the majority of the time.
This is not, however, a reflection upon Angela or her teaching. This is because the course breached the boundaries of my comfort zone, pushed my emotional buttons and triggered my many insecurities and hang-ups. All together a pretty impressive achievement I’d say.
What I can honestly say is that in spite of my at times considerable discomfort, I’m glad that I did the course. What do I mean by glad? I mean happy, pleased, joyful. I’m happy, pleased, joyful, because although, on the whole, I didn’t find it pleasurable, fun, entertaining or enjoyable, I did find it extremely beneficial on a deeply personal level. The ‘writes’ and the ‘omiyage’ (homework) afforded me a different and enlightening perspective of past events and how they have influenced my thoughts, behaviour and attitudes, and helped me to better understand these events and the people involved. Definitely well worth the discomfort.
Michelle (now returned to the UK) - Tokyo 2008
WRITE WITH ANGELA, JUNE 4, 2008
I am grateful for the inaugural Writes class last evening and your support. It was a very moving experience and well worth my time.
Sarah (missionary/mother) US - Tokyo 2008
THIRD-LEVEL COURSE (AFFIRMATION), JANUARY 17-MARCH 13, 2008
Angela puts an extraordinary amount of time and effort into her classes.She takes the utmost care to ensure that each and every student gets as much out of the course as she/he possibly can. For me,”Affirmation” lived up to its name. I have affirmed the importance and value of writing in my life.
Margaret (teacher) Ireland - Tokyo, 2008
BEGINNERS 8-WEEK COURSE (INITIATION), OCTOBER 18-DECEMBER 6, 2007
I learned many things throughout the course. Primarily though I learned to listen to myself and to a certain extent to believe in myself more. I don’t know if I have “found my voice” so to speak but I do know that my voice has become stronger and that can be directly attributed to the course. I definitely want to go to the retreat in February and take the 2nd level come spring.
Filipe (teacher) Portugese-Canadian - Tokyo, 2007
SECOND ONE-DAY WORKSHOP IN ZUSHI, COMPLETING ‘INITIATION’, MARCH 11, 2007
Book me in for the writer’s retreat in May.
Heera (translator/editor/teacher/student)UK-Kamakura
BEGINNER’S WORKSHOP IN ZUSHI, FEBRUARY 25, 2007
I have been writing every morning when I get up. I’m trying the page a day thing, and will be there (at the second beginner’s workshop) at 9:30 on the 11th.
Nancy (mother) US- West Tokyo, 2007
I joined (the workshop) to hear ideas and find inspiration among a group of people who want to express themselves in writing and that’s exactly what I got. I enjoyed it very much and am happy that you are here in Japan and regularly arrange such an opportunity. I really enjoyed the class.
Hilary (homemaker) Canada-West Tokyo, 2007
BEGINNER’S 8-WEEK COURSE (INITIATION) , JANUARY 18- MARCH 8, 2007
There is something very magical about the organic process of this course.
Carolyn (mother/teacher)Scotland-West Tokyo
DOTWW has helped me find my voice as a writer. I used to produce stories that sounded fake, stale, because I was trying to imitate other writers, or I would worry so much about writing badly that I ended up writing nothing at all. Through the Writes and other exercises, I managed to re-discover how much joy there is in writing, how much satisfaction. The course did not include a single lesson on style and technique, and yet both my style and technique improved vastly, simply because I was learning to listen to myself and the world around me. There was also an atmosphere of trust and respect in the group that encouraged openness and constructive feedback, and we all ended up writing about intimate, even painful topics that truly mattered to us, which gave the course an unexpected depth. Looking forward to the EXPLORATION level!
Sophie (journalist) Germany-Tokyo 2007
In thinking about how I found the course, I should say that the course found me. What do I mean by ‘found’? I had been lost under years of accumulated inhibitions to begin writing. These seemed to be magically checked by challenging writing exercises and the encouragement of sharing one’s writing efforts with members of a group.
George (retired teacher) US-Tokyo 2007
The course has really helped me open myself up and let all the creativity that was contained inside of me all these years flow out, like ants out of a box. Very cathartic!
Christine (shiatsu practioner/seeker) Japan-Tokyo 2007
PW AT WOMENS’ CONFERENCE AT AMAGI SANSO, IZU-HANTO, JANUARY 26-28
Many thanks to the following women for pushing up demand for two workshops rather than the one originally planned: Workshop 1: Talia (keynote speaker), Kathryn, Ingrid, Ruth, Alison, Yoko, Rosalyn and Roxanne Workshop 2: Mariellen (keynote speaker), Sarah (treasurer), Jill, Hazel, Wendy, Claudia, Meeghan, Betsy, Carol S and Carol B
Claudia, Wendy, Alison, Rosalyn (just), Talia, IngridI attended the first of Angela’s workshops at the Women’s Conference, not at all sure of what to expect, but very interested in the idea of exploration. As a result I have now signed up for a one-day intensive. The feeling rather that the result of the exploration was what drew me back for more. I felt my mind working in a subtly different way. I studied philosophy at university and so I have an ingrained habit of trying to always be logical, and it felt quite freeing to let my mind go in this way. I was also impressed at how the feeling of openness stayed with me for a while.
Alison Gray (mother/feminist theologian) Scotland-Musashiseki, West Tokyo 2007AUTUMN RETREAT AT NATIONAL WOMEN’S EDUCATION CENTRE IN SAITAMA, OCTOBER
2006
I took the weekend writing retreat in October last year in part because, although I am a published author, I seldom felt like a ‘real’ writer. But the depth and practicality of the exercises, the lovely natural setting, and the company of like-minded writers made it a fantastic experience. After the retreat, I’ve been growing more confident and free, both in my writing and in the process I use to
write.
Terri MacMillan (Entrepeneur; Time Magazine person of the Year 2006;
Chair of Democrats Abroad Japan), US-Tokyo 2006
ONE-DAY BEGINNER’S WORKSHOP DECEMBER 3, 2006
The workshop helped me to remember why I used to enjoy creative writing. The most immediate effect was the writings about my grandfather encouraged me to make sure all my old family photos were scanned into the computer and I printed some out to make a calendar for my mother. Allowing myself to let my thoughts flow freely has deepened my ability to focus on an idea, concept, or scene. I am learning how valuable this is in creating accurate descriptions which allow my stories to have more depth.
Winnie Shiraishi (teacher) Numazu, 2006
Left to right: Winnie, Lyndsey, Hana
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP OCTOBER 8, 2006
I went to Angela’s workshop with a vague purpose to learn something that would help me become a better writer. I left the workshop with a renewed sense of myself, clarity about what I want to write about, and a set of tools to tap into my authentic voice. Whether you are a writer looking to become more authentic in your writing or somebody interested in self-discovery, you are bound to have some amazing experiences. Angela’s workshop is a true adventure in creativity from the inside.
Jacinta Hin (coach) Tokyo Oct. 2006
8-WEEK COURSE - OCTOBER 5 -NOVEMBER 23, 2006
This course exceeded my every expectation. I came into it aware that I wanted to write, but not feeling I had the tools to do so. Eight weeks later I come out of it headlong into writing a novel, knowing with certainty that I want writing to be part of my everyday life. I heartily recommend this class to anyone who has ever wondered if they had it in them to write. I learned that I do have an inner voice that is not only incredibly alive, but that I can reach it whenever I want - as it can reach me. I simply needed to learn how to listen. From my classmates I learned to be bold, to truthfully reflect in my writing what I hear, despite my fears of what others’ reactions could be. Most importantly, I discovered that I have a story, which people are interested in hearing. And you know what? You do too.
Jonathan Sherr (translator) Tokyo Nov. 2006
Laughter, tears, understanding, creative energy, mentoring, self-discovery, quiet spaces, candlelight, music? What more can you ask for in a two and a half hour evening? It is not even the price of a night out in Tokyo. The difference in my life after eight weeks is a deeper understanding of myself and my individual needs in my surrounding space, creation of new friendships, renewal of old friendships and a strengthening of present relationships. I am now cognizant of the signs and possibilities in everything and am motivated to continue seeking and writing about such encounters. My journey has not ended; it has just begun.
Sarah Oba (missionary) Tokyo Nov. 2006
Following one-day workshop on February 19, 2006
Thank you so much for the wonderful workshop yesterday. I never imagined it would be as tremendous an experience as it was. Everything, from the group, the methods, the pace, and of course the lunch was perfect!!
I think it has also opened the door to get me writing again…I guess we
will see come April.
Melissa (jeweller, Tokyo)
This morning I woke up and decided to write a letter to my second daughter. I took out a pen and paper to tell her what a special person she is, and how proud I am of her.
She is married in Hawaii and has just had our first grandchild. We e-mail
each other and talk over Skype all the time. Until now I was never compelled to write a snail-mail letter to her.
But this morning when I woke up, I knew what I wanted to write.
Maya (teacher & translator, Kamakura)
My boys (husband and sons) have been asking me what I did all day in the workshop. I explained briefly, and then had to go into detail about the “exercises” for my youngest. He laughed about the berry! But in explaining these things to them, I realised how very much I enjoyed the experience of sharing the writing with everyone. It has given me a great lift!
Angela, I look forward to experiencing your expert skills as guide and facilitator again in April.
Mary (Yokohama)
Thanks very much for letting me be a part of Sunday’s workshop. I feel well-nourished by everyone’s warmth, the process of self-exploration and - not to be forgotten - the wonderful lunch!
Dan (law professor, Tokyo)
What a neat bunch of people! Each one had a different story to share, and it was such an eclectic mix. You are right - five is a super number for this type of workshop.
I appreciated your clear insights, careful critiques and honest feedback. And last but not least, the lovely lunch!
I would love to get together with everyone again if the chance arises. Please add me to the emails for this group, and forward my email to the others so that I can be in on any feedback that arises from our session. I would also like to go on your general emailing list you have for upcoming workshops.
Louise (writer, Tokyo)