Winter: The Story Underneath the Story :: A Generative Creative Lab

Digging down. Tunneling Under. Hibernation. Exploring the cold, the dark, the depths. In this generative lab we will focus on “going deeper” by producing a “layered” text and then multiplying its potential meanings by asking what is underneath the surface and how we can access those deeper stories. Trust us—there is a lot underneath every surface.

Since its inception, Corporeal Writing has offered seasonal creative labs to mark the cycles of the years. We are thrilled to offer these seasonal labs virtually under the guidance of Corporeal co-founder Domi J. Shoemaker, alongside videos of Domi in conversation with Lidia Yuknavitch. Each week you’ll receive one such video alongside readings and writing portals (we prefer portal to prompt). You will work with this material on your own time, at your own pace, and then connect each week over Zoom with Domi and your fellow participants to share work and explore ideas.

Collaboration Leader: Domi Shoemaker, alongside weekly videos featuring Domi and Lidia Yuknavitch in conversation

When: Domi will host a Zoom meeting every Tuesday from 4:00-6:00PM PST. Meeting dates: February 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. In between meetings you’ll receive access to videos hosted on our site—you’ll receive a link to one each week and then have access to them always. You’ll receive access to the first video a few days before Sept 28th so you can respond to the writing portal and have work to bring to the first meeting.

Pricing: The following payment model is inspired by and borrowed from the payment model of Bayo Akomolafe’s class, We Will Dance With Mountains: Into the Cracks.

This workshop offers a sliding scale based on your relative financial standing. In an effort to reflect disparity in economic condition and access to wealth, the following payment system is designed for those with more wealth to help cover the costs of those with less access to wealth and resources. We trust your discernment of your current financial situation and how you fit into the global economic context.

As you decide what amount to pay, please consider your present-day financial situation governed by income, but also the following factors: historical discrimination faced by your peoples; your financial wealth (retirement/savings/investments); your access to income and financial wealth, both current and anticipated (how easily could you earn more income compared to other people in your community, country, and the world; are you expecting an inheritance); people counting on your financial livelihood including dependents and community members; the socio-economic conditions of your locale (relative to other places in your country and in the world); your relationship to food & resource scarcity.

$350 Partner

$250 Supporter (Note: This amount reflects the “real” value of this course.)

$175 Companion

$100 Friend

Scholarships are also still available for anyone needing further financial assistance. Please email Daniel at registration@corporealwriting.com for more info, or if you are feeling challenged in any way by the financial requirements of participation.

Domi J. Shoemaker is a gender-free, superfat queer writer who lives just outside of Portland, Or with their family. While finishing an MFA in Writing from Pacific University in 2015, Lidia asked Domi to help create Corporeal Writing. With a resounding yes, they were off and rolling. 9.5 years later, they are still going strong. Domi now manages Virtual (drop-in) Hours, edits and coaches writers 1:1, and generally does whatever they can to recognize, elevate, and connect writers, artists, hooligans and agitators who might not otherwise have found a way to get their work out into the world or meet one another.

Testimonials:

Sharing your work with strangers is scary, but Domi almost immediately was able to cultivate a community of support and warmth. I wrote the weirdest, rawest material of my life and felt good about it.
- LB

This seasonal session was a perfect taste of the methodology of Corporeal and I am excited to dive in further. I am grateful for this pathway to art that I felt I had lost. Domi was relatable, brilliant, and funny and I can't wait to hang out with them online again in the fall!

- AH

I love Domi's style - their openness, kindness, wisdom about the words, and embracing energy. The vibe I get from Domi and Corporeal Writing in general is that this is a place that will help me break through those barriers in ways that grad school and other writing groups haven't.
- JB