IRENE SHERLOCK

Some of Irene Sherlock's students shared their feelings about Irene's instruction:

Irene showed me how to dig deep, to unearth my story, and then revisit the tale, to hone it. She is an elegant and eloquent guide through the creative landscape."
MFA student Laura Baione Hayden

Although I had been a writer for many years, involved in television and films, and thought I knew it all, my one semester studying with Irene at Western Connecticut State, taught me much more than I could cover in one short paragraph of praise. She is an incredibly creative writer and an inspiring teacher.
Bernie Orenstein

I was lucky enough to be part of Irene Sherlock's writing class at Ann's Place several times. Her class changed my life. Although my job is time consuming and exhausting I now find time to write in my journal and prepare for my future as a writer. Irene was so generous with her time and knowledge about what it takes to fine tune and polish a piece of writing.
Joyce Wigler

How rare and wonderful it has been to have found a writing mentor like you, who offers such gracious guidance, inspiration, and integrity to aspiring writers! Of course I benefited greatly from your expert writing instruction, but more than direction on technique, your skill and willingness to connect with my ideas and to actively reach into the meaning in my writing have had the most enduring impact on my work. You have the unique ability to both look into the written words on the page to explore their meaning, and the unwritten, underlying stories yet needing encouragement to be told. This kind of support for the writer to explore new directions, to stretch and grow, and to more confidently access the unexpected has led to some of the most fruitful and satisfying writing I could ever hope to do. Through the kind sharing of your own experiences that both serve the material and feed the writer, you have encouraged me to better connect with myself, with others, and with the world at large through my writing, which in the end is the best result. I wish for myself, as well as for the many others likely to discover what I already know, the great good fortune of being able to write with you once again someday in the future!

Ed Kurpis
Master of Fine Arts candidate
Western Connecticut State University

Irene Sherlock is a writing 'mentor' in every sense of the word. She had the uncanny ability to read a piece and instinctively know what I was striving for; and then knew what changes I needed to make to get my work there. I've studied under many different writers, and have rarely received the thorough, balanced critiques that Irene gave. She delivered supportive feedback in an honest, upbeat manner that never left me feeling deflated or discouraged-quite the opposite, actually. Her ability to focus on the minute details as well as the overall direction of a piece has helped me complete a draft of my first novel and achieve a greater understanding of the craft. Irene's thorough feedback, guidance and generosity exceeded anything I could have hoped for.
Colleen Wright '07,
MFA in Professional Writing Program

After years as a technical writer, I recently made my first venture into creative writing. I was fortunate to have had Irene Sherlock as my instructor in a memoirs writing workshop, and in a 1-semester college level course in creative writing with focus on the human interest story. Ms.Sherlock was masterful at generating classroom discussion and in teaching us - by example and class exercises - how to turn personal experiences into riveting prose. I hope to be in her classroom again.
Neil Corday

FROM 2008
RETREAT PARTICIPANTS

I am so happy that I did not let my insecurities keep me away. It was the perfect mix of people and, of course, Irene was great. J.B.

As an inveterate writing workshop participant, I know a rare thing happened this weekend - all of us were placed in the hands of an enormously gifted teacher and intuitive group leader who also happens to be a fabulous writer. It was magical. Irene created an environment that was firmly defined - critiquing was honest, direct and heartfelt, but always offered with kindness and respect. Writers took huge risks and made incredible leaps in their work. The support given to each writer was solid and abundant but never patronizing. The format was perfect - enough time in each of the sessions for everyone to be heard and enough space in-between for writing and/or hanging out. Irene was generous in making her free time available to meet individually with participants. D.G.

My needs were met head on and I far surpassed my goals. Never one to consider myself a team player, I found the group experience incredibly powerful and motivating. Seeing everyone's progress in such a short time, under Irene's direction, was truly amazing. D.D.

READ MORE COMMENTS

The Adirondack Mountain
Writers' Retreat
Creative Writing Weekend Workshop
(Fiction/Memoir/Personal Essay)

Noon, Thursday, August 20 through
Noon, Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Three-Day Workshop taught by Irene Sherlock

 

This workshop is for both fiction and non-fiction writers who are either just beginning or want to sharpen their storytelling skills. Whether our narratives are inspired and informed by memory (memoirs and personal essays), or by imagination (novels and short stories), the same tools apply: dialogue, character development, description and theme. The workshop is designed with the specific goal of helping students create work that is publishable.

You are invited to send a maximum of ten double-spaced pages that you wish to be workshopped during the weekend, so that Irene can familiarize herself with your work. Also, participants will have individual consultations with the instructor. In addition to workshop sessions, there will be seminars on specific topics.

On Saturday after dinner, participants will read from their work for the entire group. This affords writers an opportunity to improve reading skills while getting a sense of where their work stands.

We hope to provide an inspiring and informative weekend for writers, thinkers and artists.

Irene Sherlock

In-residence participation: $575 Commuter participation: $475

IRENE SHERLOCK MAKING NEWS!

"COIFED TO COOK" ~ Irene, with her friend Gina Weckle, have created a quirky and fun combination cookbook and style retrospective that will make you simultaneously giggle, reminisce and salivate. The book is now awaiting final decision at a publishing house, but you don't have to wait. Sneak a peek and leave a comment at their blog, http:///www.coifedtocook.blogspot.com/. Forward it to a friend and bookmark it for an easy return.

"FOODCHILD" ~ In addition to the Adirondack Mountain Writers' Retreat and her university classes, Irene also teaches some private writing classes. She also periodically offers a highly-acclaimed workshop called "Foodchild," which helps participants understand how culture, family and gender shape (literally!) our eating habits and influence the way we feel about our bodies.

See Irene Sherlock's new web site,
www.irenesherlock.com

See Gina and Irene on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AwPpWNjoBA

WHAT ELSE?

IRENE SHERLOCK is associate director of publications and design at Western Connecticut State University and an adjunct lecturer in the English department where she teaches undergraduate and graduate writing classes. She holds an M.A. in English from WCSU, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. Her screenplay, "Fox's Hardware," was optioned by Hearst Entertainment. Her one-act play, "Wayne's Learn-to-Drive," was recently published by World Audience, Inc. at www.worldaudience.org.

Her poems, essays and short stories have been published in Amaranth, Calyx, Chautauqua Literary Journal, Cloven Sphere, Cream City Review, Connecticut Review, Fairfield Review, Miranda Magazine, Poem-memoir-story, Poetry Motel, Primavera, Roux, Runes, Slipstream, Tar Wolf Review, The New York Times, White Pelican Review and in several anthologies, including "Single Woman of a Certain Age" and "Modern Love: 50 True and Extraordinary Tales of Desire, Deceit, and Devotion." Her essays have aired on WSHU National Public Radio

Perky Granger, retreat organizer, is author of Adirondack Gold, and Adirondack Gold II: A summer of Strangers, both YA novels,, and she co-wrote and edited Shared Stories from Daughters of Alzheimer's: Writing a Path to Peace. She writes a blog, seen at http://persisgranger.blogspot.com/. She edits and helps write the John Thurman Historical Society Quarterly. In addition to the Adirondack Mountain Writers' Retreat, she also hosts the November St. George Island (FL) Writers' Retreat for women with author-in-residence Adrian Fogelin. St. George features an intensive few days of writing, consulting and critiquing for those with a work in progress. This is an extremely nurturing and supportive environment for writers, many of whom are embarking on a first major work.