A Writing Workshop for Naturalists - Jump-Start your Newsletter Piece

Registration is FREE! $10 donation appreciated.

PRE-REGISTER BY THURSDAY, April 13

For More Information: email Kathy Claerr at kclaerr1@comcast.net 

A writing expert will help us share our entomological or natural history experiences with others. Think about what you might like to write up for a newsletter: an interesting field observation?  A new technique?  Short biography of an underappreciated entomologist?  A photo quiz?  Poem?  Perhaps there’s a topic about which you’re clueless but curious – here’s an opportunity to learn and pass on what you find.

In this half-day workshop we begin by reading and discussing some sample pieces, moving beyond our initial reactions of “I like it” (or “I don’t”) to uncover the authors’ choices about how to frame their subject, reach their intended audience, and structure their writing. 

Using this awareness of the many choices an author makes, we ask participants to work on a piece of their own writing.  Participants should come with a project in *any* stage of development (an idea, an outline, notes, or a draft).  

We’ll do at least one round of “workshopping” everyone’s efforts, at whatever stage they’re at.  This means we’ll share our projects in a small group and give constructive feedback to each other.

Each participant should end the day with a draft naturalist’s project for a newsletter and a network of fellow readers and writers willing to offer support and feedback as they move that project to completion.

We will take a mid-workshop break for lunch.

Please bring:

1. A project or idea you’d like to work on

2. A laptop or wifi-capable device if you have one, even if you plan to write using pencil and paper

3. Bag lunch, and travel mug

Workshop leader:

• Seri Lowell, former Science Writing Specialist at Bates College and Editorial Associate at the Journal of Mammalogy.

Directions to Hallowell Fire Department Coos Lane

From the North

I-95S Exit 109 for U.S. 202/ Western Avenue, at Augusta.

Proceed east on U.S. 202/ Western Avenue about 1.4 miles.

At the round-about, exit for State Street/Rt 201 South

Proceed about 1.5 miles to Winthrop Street in Hallowell

Turn right on Winthrop Street. Proceed up the hill.

Coos Lane is about 0.5 miles on the right. The Fire Department is on the left of Coos Lane.

From the South

I-95 N Exit 102 OR I-295 N Exit 49, near Gardiner

Turn onto Rt 126 East toward Gardiner. Your turn will be Left off of the exit from I-95, or Right off of the exit from I-295.

Proceed a little more than 4 miles (depending upon which exit you have taken) into Gardiner. 

Turn left onto U. S. 201 North.

Proceed 4.3 miles to Winthrop Street in Hallowell

Turn left onto Winthrop Street. Proceed up the hill.

Coos Lane is about 0.5 miles on the right. The Fire Department is on the left of Coos Lane