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Writing Poems and Stories that Connect with Readers

Overview 253 Lovely Attendees
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Your Host

Abena Ntoso

Writer, Artist, Teacher at Bricolage Lit.

Houston, TX, USA

I am a writer, artist, and teacher supporting authors in writing and publishing literary works that inspire deep conversations and awaken our humanity. I am founder and owner of Bricolage Lit and host the podcast Backlit. My poetic and futuristic novel, Woman Outside the City, will be released in October 2026. I enjoy spending time in nature, and I love to travel the world! Find me at https://www.abenantoso.com ✍️📝🎨 the book: https://www.abenantoso.com/books 📕

About this FieldTrip

Literary writing can spark discussions that recognize our common humanity across differences.

How do we practice writing as an art form? How do we craft poems and stories that connect with readers and inspire authentic conversations?

We will explore these questions and more, examining tools and strategies for crafting compelling poems and stories that inspire deeply meaningful discussions!

Please note: This FieldTrip offers optional breakout rooms. If you do not feel like joining one for any reason, no worries! We'll make sure you have something to do introspectively in the main room.


Agenda

  • Invite Creative Flow: We will settle our minds and invite creative flow with a guided breathing exercise.

  • Free-Write: We will spend a few minutes free-writing (with optional prompts) to generate ideas to explore further in our writing. 

  • Two Qualities to Strive For: We will examine two qualities of all great literary work.

  • Literary Inspiration: We will read a short hybrid poem/prose excerpt as an example to inspire our literary writing.

  • Write a Poem or Passage: We will generate our own prompt and write a poem or passage in response.

  • Optional Share Out: We will have some time to share an excerpt from our writing or our thoughts on the writing process.


What to know or bring

  • Pen & paper

  • If you have a literary work-in-progress feel free to bring that as well!


What to expect

Workshop format!

A hands-on session where participants get to build, craft, or create something tangible.

Optional breakout rooms!

This FieldTrip offers optional breakout rooms. If you do not feel like joining one for any reason, no worries! We'll make sure you have something to do introspectively in the main room.

It will be recorded!

The recording will be shared within 24 hours in the follow up email for a 4-day window, and available at the top of this page. Make sure to register for access!

Learn more about FieldTrips

Unnamed
Your Host

Abena Ntoso

Writer, Artist, Teacher at Bricolage Lit.

Houston, TX, USA

About Abena Ntoso

I am a writer, artist, and teacher supporting authors in writing and publishing literary works that inspire deep conversations and awaken our humanity. I am founder and owner of Bricolage Lit and host the podcast Backlit. My poetic and futuristic novel, Woman Outside the City, will be released in October 2026. I enjoy spending time in nature, and I love to travel the world! Find me at https://www.abenantoso.com ✍️📝🎨 the book: https://www.abenantoso.com/books 📕


Attendees

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Amy King

Art Consultant / Curator at King Art Collective.

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Sheila Lewis

Comms Leader. Spokesperson. Crisis Comms Expert. at DC Housing Authority.

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Oli Dierickx

Enthusiast Human Igniter at NeuroLanguage.

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Liz Bustamante

Content specialist/drummer at Shure Incorporated.

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Rachel Sanders

Graphic Designer/CSR at Minuteman Press Vacaville.

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Heather Lockwood

Director, Global Digital Marketing.

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Meredith Jones

Associate Creative Director at Buffalo Groupe.

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How to make the most of FieldTrips

The FieldTrips experience is defined not only by what the host has to share, but also by how we show up individually and collectively. The way we show up impacts our capacity to be moved, inspired, and activated.

Show up fully

Get ready to be immersed! Engage with smiles, nods, waves, emojis. Share in the chat. Get cozy. Turn off notifications. Sip your favorite beverage.

Stay curious

Wear your beginner’s hat. Go with the flow. Welcome the stumbles and fumbles. Congratulate yourself for trying. Keep going! 

Celebrate your host

Our hosts are members of the CreativeMornings community—just like you! Everyone comes to this with different backgrounds—a lot of our hosts have never done anything like this before! And we love that! Cheer them on when something goes awry and when it goes perfectly.

Support each other

We’re all figuring things out in real time. Celebrate, rather than critique emerging ideas. Cheer each other on as you try new things.  Try “Yes! And…” in conversation.

Not vibing?

It’s 100% okay when a FieldTrip does not resonate with you. Pop out quietly and try another experience later. Fill out the survey with your feedback (no dms to host or chat commentary, please.)