Engaging the Feminine Heroic
Dara and Deb’s teaching methods complement each other seamlessly—they are indeed a Dream Team! The supportive atmosphere, carefully nurtured by Deb and Dara, encourages writers to find their own truth, and even more important, gives them the courage to write it down. Under their skillful guidance, I discovered things I never knew I wanted to write about, or even thought I could write about, and I was excited to be able to share my work with others in the safe environment of their workshop. ~Ellen Sandler, a former Co-Executive Producer/writer on “Everybody Loves Raymond” and author of “The TV Writer’s Workbook” (Bantam/Dell)
There was a beautiful balance to the retreat – new insights/ancient mythology; seasoned writers/newbies; explorations into the masculine/feminine; delving into light/darkness in our writings and within ourselves. I would whole heartedly recommend time with Dara or Deb to anyone serious about improving their craft or deepening their love of writing. ~Mary Sequoia Hamilton, Screenwriter/Filmmaker, Author
Dara Marks and Deb Norton are two extraordinary muses who will guide you up to the Gods and down into the underworld in order to reawaken your own inner storyteller. You will not merely emerge with a greater mastery of the elements of story, but with an experiential understanding of where to find it within yourself. While grounded in myth and metaphor it is never the less a thrilling exploration to the center of your creative being. ~Lyn Greene, Executive Producer for “Nip/Tuck”
Writing used to feel like trying to escape from an undertow when it wanted to pull you in. After this class it feels like surfing. ~Georgia Menides, Writer for “StillGreen”
“Whatever kind of writer you are, whether you make your living by your pen, or have only dreamed of putting the words of your heart on the page, Engaging the Feminine Heroic, is the workshop you need. Part academic adventure, part kick-in-the-creative-process bootcamp, the journey that Dara Marks and Deb Norton guide you on is magic, deep, dangerous and transformational. I consider it the finest, most concentrated learning experience of my life.” ~Carolynne Ciceri, Writer, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Dara and Deb lovingly and skillfully provided four fabulous days saturated with curious exploration, deep introspection, and heartfelt realization. A safe and sacred container provided the freedom to “run wild”—and I found myself poking and prodding into even the most secret, and lost places within me. I walked away a little stronger, and a little taller. If this one calls to you, be sure to answer. ~Donna DeNomme Award-winning, internationally published author of “Turtle Wisdom: Coming Home to Yourself” and “Ophelia’s Oracle: Discovering the Healthy, Happy, Self-Aware, and Confident Girl in the Mirror.”
I left the retreat with a new sense of my own journey and a deep acceptance that was not there before. I now understand that the underworld is where the jewels are. Thank you Deb and Dara. I truly felt I was safe, in a sacred space, to explore and mine. Your guidance is gentle, wise and profound. ~Julie Lancaster Morris, Actress
I have rarely experienced such generosity of wisdom and heart as provided by Dara Marks and Deb Norton. This is an experience I am most grateful to have had, and will repeat when the opportunity presents itself. Dara and Deb took us to places of the mind and heart I had never explored, and wish to return to again, and again. ~Kris Welchman, writer
Unleash your Genius and Playwrighting workshops
Deb gave me back my love of writing. I highly recommend the program to anyone who has put their writing anywhere below the very top of their to-do list. ~Virginia Brooke
Insightful, articulate, supportive & passionate – Deb is everything I dreamed of in a writing coach. The classes were thoroughly engaging and the homework enjoyable and instructive. The class surpassed all of my expectations. I’ll definitely be back for more! ~ Holly Johnson
When I signed up for Deb’s class a few years ago, I had written several technical books and dozens of papers for professional journals. But, writing fiction seemed to me like going to a far flung foreign land. Deb’s class provided a framework within which I could get started. It was work, sometimes rigorous work, but it opened up spaces in me that I didn’t know existed, and with that came a flood of new experience and energy, insight and perspective. ~Tom R. Krause, PhD, Chairman of the Board at BST
Deb delightedly opens the door to the creative process and invites students to explore in the playroom of their own creativity, without judgment or editing. She will certainly help you to get your pen moving! ~Anne Kerry Ford, Singer/Actress
Deb is hugely encouraging and supportive. She create a safe and nurturing container. ~ Jodi Womack, Community Builder and Public Speaker
Deb guided, cajoled and eventually forced me to take my writing to a higher level. Years of rejections have been replaced by agents wanting to represent me. No easy fixes here, lots of hard work and a teacher with a vision of what could be my best work. ~Jane Howatt, Writer, “The Killer, The Cop and Me”
Deb is warm, funny and supportive and keeps a safe, open environment that encourages students to take risks and have fun doing so! ~ Kate Wright
Deb is an inspirational powerhouse. ~ Holly Richmond, Freelance writer, Clinical Psychologist
Deb is an extraordinary writing teacher. Her critical vision is acute. She has this fantastic ability to help the writer see what works or doesn’t. The three seminars I’ve taken with her have been exciting and very enjoyable. ~Ron Segal
The writer’s group has become one of the highlights of my life. Deb is an excellent teacher and an inspiring reviewer. Her encouragement has given me clarity and helped me design a writing schedule. ~Nancy Gregg, Director of Development and Marketing, Boys and Girls Club Ventura
When I’m ready to just give up and run screaming Deb is there with a suggestion or an idea that somehow opens everything up. I’m always left wondering why in the world I didn’t call her sooner. ~Claire Wade-Hak, College Student
I have found Deb Norton’s class to be invaluable to me as a writer, giving me direction when I am not sure where my writing needs to go. ~George P. Miller, Actor, Playwright
Deb creates an atmosphere in which writers feel free to express passion,whimsy, grief and discover new edges and sides of raw tenderness and fire. ~Joan Nicholson, Poet
Deb’s writing class changed my life and created a safe place for me to examine whole areas of my life that I did not even know needed examining. I would recommend the class to anyone without reservation. ~Julie Bloomer, Attorney, Philanthropist
Deb Norton took away my profound fear of sharing my writing in one 10-week workshop. ~Harrigan Logan, Singer/Songwriter
Deb’s enthusiasm and love of writing is so powerful. It overflows, and finds expression in her teaching in the most masterful and soulful way. It penetrates even the most timid, and by the end of a class, I couldn’t believe some of the things that came out of our pens. ~Lisa Kalechstein, Teacher
Deb Norton is a fabulous teacher! I learned so much in this class. Most importantly, I learned that yes, I am a writer. Deb allowed me to see this, and I will forever be grateful to her. I’d vote for Deb to be the benevolent dictator of the world. ~Betsy Stix, Yoga Teacher
Over these ten weeks, Deb encouraged us to flutter baby wings, moved us to strengthen and add gristle to writing muscle, had us widen and narrow our focus on the world, brought us to the nest’s edge, and nudged us out gently. We soared. ~Marji Abel
I’m finding what’s inside of me that’s been there all along. ~Maud Huey-Kenyon, Psychotherapist
Teens
I’ve recommended her class to everyone I know who cares to learn more about their own creative capabilities. ~Journey Wade-Hak, Poet
Deb gets five stars… out of four! ~Nate Kamiya, Filmmaker
As a sophomore in high school, a lot gets pushed aside to get homework done; Deb’s class and eating are the two things I refuse to skip for the sake of school. I have been Deb’s student for almost two and a half years, and not once have I stopped learning or enjoying myself. ~Jessie Stern, College Student
