Back to All Events

First Saturday Writing Workshop / "Humor Helps"

With Marilyn McEntyre, PhD

Humor is a mark of trust, flexibility, openness to possibility, willingness to play. Even if you aren't someone who is "naturally funny," you can develop an eye for amusing possibilities in a scene, dialogue, character, or stanza. In this session we'll look at examples of writing whose humor gives us new access to wisdom and awareness, and offers healthy critical distance on what we've too hastily normalized. And we'll try out some of their moves!

Each online workshop in this series will address a particular topic in writing, especially for those interested in personal essays and/or responses to public life. We will talk about language, faith, form, and what a lively, committed writing life entails.

Registration: General $25/ Reduced $10/ Student Free

Location: Online/Zoom

About Marilyn McEntyre: Dr. McEntyre, a longtime professor of literature and medical humanities, teaches for New College Berkeley and Westmont College, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary’s “Sacred Art of Writing” doctor of ministry program as well as the “Forest Dwelling” program at the Oblate School of Theology. She offers spiritual retreats and writing workshops and continues to write about spirituality, language, healthcare and earth care. She also works as a writing coach. Her recent books include When Poets Pray, Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict, and a collection of Lenten readings, Where the Eye Alights.

The dates and topics for all First Saturday Writing Workshops are (register separately here - https://buytickets.at/newcollegeberkeley):

October 7, 2023: Getting to Know your Narrative Self

November 4, 2023: Humor Helps

January 6, 2024: Playing with Prompts

February 3, 2024: Playing with Patterns (Archetypes)

March 2, 2024:  Relational Writing

April 6, 2024: Self-Editing

May 4. 2024: Authority and Humility