Janet Ruth Falon offers more than three decades of experience as a writing teacher to individual students who prefer working on a one-to-one basis. In sessions personalized to help individuals address specific skills or overcome writer’s block, Janet helps everyone from aspiring writers to working professionals polish their craft or release the voice of their inner writer.
To inquire about individual writing coaching, call 215-635-1698 or click here.
For more than 30 years, Janet has developed a wide variety of classes, programs, and workshops for public and secondary schools, universities, cultural institutions, synagogues, seniors, educators, businesspeople and aspiring writers. Choose from these popular favorites, or ask Janet to create or customize a writing class for your group, school, company, or organization.
The Personal Essay
Writing Jumpstarts
Fun With Words
Creative Writing: The Art and the Process
Non-fiction Overview
Writing Your Life Story
Remembrance of Meals Past: Writing Your Memoir Through Food
Personal Writing: Journals, Letters, Essays
It’s a Shore Thing: Writing at the Beach
Nature Writing
Journal Writing Workshop
Jewish Journaling
To inquire about writing classes, call 215-635-1698 or click here.
Journaling Workshop for Women with Breast Cancer
"We are thrilled with the JOURNALING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER. I would love to offer constructive criticism but I have none. Your warmth created an immediate connection with our patients and your knowledge and creativity captivated them. Your love of journal-keeping is infectious. I am proud to be working with you."
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Hospital Administrator
During 2007 I created and taught a series of eight journaling workshops for women with breast cancer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia – specifically, the Kimmel Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated clinical cancer center. The purpose of the workshops was to encourage a diverse population of patients to express their feelings and document their experiences, thereby helping to reduce the anxiety and stress related to breast-cancer diagnosis and treatment.
It probably would have been a good idea to get some of that extreme emotion out on paper. The anger, the fear, the sadness might have been lessened.
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Beth, breast-cancer survivor
Why journaling? Writing in a journal, a deeply personal and therapeutic process, recognizes the individuality of each patient and the importance of her emotional wellbeing in achieving the most positive possible outcome.
“Only recently have investigators used controlled, scientific studies to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of writing . . . Controlled studies strongly suggest that writing about a stressful experience can confer health benefits.”
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Stephen J. Lepore and Joshua M. Smyth, The Writing Cure
The response -- from the patients and the hospital healthcare professionals -- was terrific. I was reaching the right people with the right material at the right time, and providing a tool that could help them get through an extremely difficult period of their lives.
At the end of the workshop, 97% of participants said they planned to begin or continue journaling; 94% said that the workshop influenced their decision. Of those workshop participants who responded to a follow-up survey, 77% have continued journaling and 88% planned to continue.
My journaling workshops are especially effective because I create an open and accepting environment in which people know they don’t have to be “good” writers. They know that they can write about any topic or express any feeling. I help participants debunk old journaling assumptions that might be holding them back from keeping a vital and responsive journal (such as having to write every day). I also show them now express themselves non-verbally in a journal, and I include exercises gleaned from poetry and other “creative writing” sources.
I think that if I went to a group where there were short writing exercises, I would have loved it. It would be a place for me to devote an hour or two to myself and how I felt about the disease.
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Laurie, breast-cancer survivor
I have been teaching journal-writing skills for more than 20 years: At the University of Pennsylvania; to women coping with infertility; to public-school teachers; to women with eating disorders; at churches and synagogues; with groups of actors; to a group of female interfaith religious leaders; and in professional business organizations. Also, I am the author of The Jewish Journaling Book (Jewish Lights, 2004), and have kept my own journal for 45 years.
Although the breast-cancer journaling workshop is aimed at breast-cancer patients, it is also useful for caregivers (and, if desired, can be open to women with any sort of “female” cancer). The length of the workshop, although usually two hours, is flexible, as is the number of attendees and time of day it is offered. Cost is available by request, as are references.
I wish that a class like this was available when I was going through my breast cancer; it would have been a very helpful thing.
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Michele, breast-cancer survivor
Upcoming Classes
Upcoming classes open to the public. Please follow class instructions to reserve your place.
"Nurture Your Creative Nature: A Smorgasbord of Writing"
The Morris Arboretum 100 East Northwestern Ave., Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia
Three Thursdays, April 8, 15, 22 10-noon
Members: $75 Non-members: $90
In this hands-on class you will experiment with different writing genres (especially short on-fiction and poetry), doing in-class exercises that will allow you to tap into various parts of your creative "voice." The writing process will be discussed, as will suggestions for other resources and ways to continue your self-expression. No writing experience or expertise is necessary. Please bring something to write with and a notebook of your choice.
"Journal Writing Workshop"
The Morris Arboretum 100 East Northwestern Ave., Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia
Saturday, April 17 10-12:30
Members: $31 Non-Members: $38
The journal is one of the most effective tools for enhancing self-growth and developing creative potential. But most of us don't use the journal for all it can be: a mirror, a pathway, or a safe space of discovery where loose ends often miraculously come together. A personal journal can provide a place to try on, and try out, new patterns of expression and being. This class is designed to debunk myths about the "shoulds" and traditional "how-tos" of journal-keeping, and to provide specific exercises and options for journal-writing creativity. The beautiful garden setting of the Arboretum will be a terrific "trigger" for your writing process. Writing experience or expertise is not needed. Please bring something to write with and a notebook of your choice. THIS CLASS MEETS AT THE NEW HORTICULTURE CENTER. ENTER BLOOMFIELD FARM (ACROSS NORTHWESTERN AVE. FROM THE PUBLIC GARDEN ENTRANCE.) PARK IN LOT AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS.
Janet has worked as both newspaper reporter and magazine editor. Her articles and essays have been published in the country’s leading newspapers. In this popular Group, Janet helps nonfiction writers learn how to write, what to write, and how to get published. Participants enjoy writing exercises, lively interaction, and shared inspiration.
The Nonfiction Writers’ Group meets regularly in Center City, West Philadelphia, or a suburban Philadelphia location. Meeting times and locations are scheduled by the Group at the convenience of its members. Each Group is intentionally limited to no more than eight members. Participation in the Group under the direction of Janet Ruth Falon is $250 for five two-hour sessions.
To inquire about joining the Group, call 215-635-1698 or click here.
Even experienced writers need a little help now and then. Visit often for Janet Ruth Falon’s “tried and true” tips for novice and professional writers…
NOW TRY THIS
Write a list answering the question, “Why do I want to write?”
Follow this with a second list: “What will happen if I do (write)?”
TIP
Writing is a great way to warm up a dinner party. Before your guests pick up a fork, give them a pencil and ask them to try this:
Pretend you could invite anyone -- dead or alive, known or related to you or not, famous or every day -- to a dinner party. Then explain why you've chosen these people to come together at this particular time. And if you'd like, create a seating chart; who would sit next to whom, and why? If you really get going, plan a menu, too.
The best way to be a better writer is to join a community of writers. In groups, in classes, or online, writers cheer each other on, offer constructive criticism, and share useful information.
Join a writers’ group. Take a workshop. Visit websites for writers. Keep a journal. Find your voice. Write.
There are many websites that support writers with valuable tips and resources. Check these out, and explore your own…
WritersDigest.com The 101 Best Websites for Writers
pw.org Poets and Writers, just like the paper magazine, has fabulous writing support and resources
writermag.com/wrt The Writer Magazine also offers some excellent free resources
thesunmagazine.org This website contains excerpts from each monthly issue of the Sun magazine, which is a good publication featuring themed writing by professionals and amateurs.
uclaextension.edu/writers UCLA Extension is home of the nation's largest university-related program, which offers a wide variety of courses and certificate programs.
University of Pennsylvania College of General Studies/Special Programs where Janet’s taught writing for two decades. Her courses here include The Personal Essay, Writing Jumpstarts, Journaling, etc. There's also a wonderful writing conference every fall.
newpages.com/default.htm If you're interested in finding out about alternate places to publish, check this out.
www.writeradvice.com A good site with links to many other useful sites.
fundsforwriters.com Funds for Writers provides a lot of information about grants, awards, etc.
clmp.org The Council for Literary Presses and Publishers is a relatively sophisticated place with info about grants, writing ethics, etc.
Stumbling over writer’s block? Stumped by grammar? Feel like you just can’t write right? Ask Janet! Drawing on 30 years of experience as a professional writer and writing teacher, Janet will do her best to help you over your hurdle. To email your question, click here.
If you’ve got more than one question, or wish to work on your writing skills or creative process with a skilled and effective teacher, consider private coaching. Janet offers personal writing classes to individuals on a one-to-one basis.
To inquire about individual writing coaching, call 215-635-1698 or click here.