Join a workshop in Bishop Hill by author Brian “Fox” Ellis to help people write and tell their own life stories. “Who we are are the tales we tell,” asserts storyteller and author Brian “Fox” Ellis, “How we know our deeper self and our place in the world is through the stories we tell ourselves” is the author of more than 30 books, including his personal stories and a dozen biographies of historical characters. Brian “Fox” Ellis is inviting people to the Bishop Hill Creative Commons on the afternoon of January 14, 2023, at 2 PM to explore their personal narrative in a workshop to help write and tell their life stories.
The workshop will begin with a series of fun, interactive games to help people begin to dive deep into their life histories. Participants will spend the second half of the workshop mapping out the larger arc of a personal memoir and look at ways individual stories can be pieced together to make a larger tapestry. Participants are invited to share a short story in an open mic performance led by Fox at 4 PM.
Participants are encouraged to bring paper and pencil, ten selfies or photographs from different parts of their life and a few small items that remind them of key chapters in their life. This participatory workshop is geared towards young adults interested in exploring a career as a writer, teachers looking for dynamic activities to help students write more engaging personal narratives and older folks who have considered writing a memoir. The workshop is free but donations are appreciated. This program is sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council Foreground Rural Initiative Grant.
People are also encouraged to bring a dish to pass for the potluck that will follow and hang around for an evening concert at The Commons as part of the Crossroads Cultural Connections’ programming. Dickie returns to Bishop Hill Creative Commons featuring special guests The Wildwoods! Potluck at 5 PM and the show starts at 6 PM. A $20 donation is suggested.
For more information please contact Brian “Fox” Ellis at 309-696-1017 or [email protected].
