Other People’s Stories: A Narrative 4 Story Exchange Event - IN-PERSON

1800 Rossville Avenue,Chattanooga TN 37408

09 March, 2023

Description

This class will focus on putting your own perspectives aside in order to fully inhabit the worldview of another through a facilitated story exchange. Sample prompts for the story exchange include questions like, "What's a moment when you knew your life would never be the same?" or "What mistake do you keep making?" Stories are drawn from participants' lived experiences, and the exchange focuses on the practice of getting into another’s skin while leaving one’s own value judgments and assessments out of the equation. This practice of empathetic appreciation of the "other" supports writers in developing more authentic, realistic, and fully-formed characters. About the instructors: Gwen Mullins Alegre is a certified Narrative 4 facilitator and working writer. She is committed to the concept of connection and empathy as cornerstones for good writing and ethical living. Her work has been published in books and journals, including Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2022, New Ohio Review, Cleaver, African American Review, Social Justice Anthologies, The Bitter Southerner, PANK, and Green Mountains Review, among others. Gwen received an Honorable Mention in Glimmer Train’s Very Short Fiction Award as well as the Frank O’Connor Fiction Award from descant. Gwen holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Based in Chattanooga, Kate Rudder facilitates story exchanges and links individuals and organizations with Narrative 4 training and events. Educated in writing & literature, anthropology, and public administration, Kate's work revolves around the power of story to build connection, make meaning, and inspire civic engagement. Kate brings 25 years of experience from around the world as an English teacher, community organizer, school board chair, and humanitarian aid program manager and advisor on advocacy and communication. To learn more about Narrative 4, visit their website at www.narrative4.com Follow them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Narrative4/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narrative4/ Please note: sign up information will be shared with instructor. For details about our refund and class cancellation policies, visit our FAQs: www.thechattery.org/faqs .