Believing in Writing: Poetry, Prose, and Prayer

 Micheal Dennis Browne

Workshop Description

Held August 3-9, 2008

Believing in Writing: Poetry, Prose, and Prayer is a creative writing workshop designed for writers who are exploring religious themes in their work.  The workshop makes it possible for writers with a variety of vocational pursuits and literary interests to work both individually and communally.  We will give poets, dramatists, novelists, essayists and others extended periods of time to write, as well as ample opportunities for interchange, mentoring, critical evaluation, and mutual support.  Writers admitted to this program will have demonstrated a high degree of competency. The workshop will focus on the individual needs of each writer.

Participants will have a long, unbroken stretch of time to write every day.  In the mid-afternoons we will gather to talk about individual projects.  The Collegeville Institute, through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., will cover travel expenses to and from the workshop, as well as room and board. In addition, each participant will receive a $500.00 stipend for the week.  Those who join us for the workshop will be expected to reside at the Institute throughout the entire week. Participants will share apartment space, though each person will have a private bedroom.

Michael Dennis Browne, poet, librettist and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota, will lead the workshop.  He has published numerous books of poetry, including his most recent volume, Things I Can't Tell You; has received numerous honors and awards for his teaching and writing; and has written many texts for music with composer Stephen Paulus, including the libretti for the church opera The Three Hermits, and the post-Holocaust oratorio To Be Certain of the Dawn.

Other workshops by Michael Dennis Browne: