Writing Workshop at Laurel Books

Readers Write, Writers Read

A writing workshop for book lovers; a book group for writers

Leila Abu-Saba, MFA, leads a unique writing experience at the Laurel Bookstore in which writers at all levels of skill will revel in our love of fiction while creating new work together. For six weeks we will read three great modern novels, let them inspire our own writing, and share our insights and efforts in class. If you love to read and long to write, or you are an experienced writer who wants to integrate love of literature into your practice, this workshop is for you.

Class activities will include writing exercises and book discussion. This is not a critique group: emphasis is on first-draft inspiration and exploring fiction for its pleasures. Be prepared to read three novels over the course of six weeks (one book every two weeks); get ready to find new depths and explore strange territory in your writing; and enjoy listening to fresh writing from your classmates and teacher!

Who: Leila Abu-Saba, MFA Creative Writing, English instructor College of Alameda (2007)
What: Six week writing workshop using unique teaching method geared to booklovers and writers at all levels

When: March 30-May 4 2009; Mondays, 7-9 pm. Final reading, May 11, 7 pm.

Where: Laurel Books, 4100 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, CA

Why: Spark writers' creativity under the influence of literary masters.

Class reading list:
The Bear, William Faulkner
Age of Orphans, Laleh Khadivi (Bloomsbury, March 2009)
Gilead Marilynn Robinson

Think Global, Eat Laurel

You may know the old slogan: Think global, act local. It drives the work of many in the Laurel, those who: build community gardens, work on behalf of the schools, shop local, ride their bicycles or take public transit, install solar panels, and more.

Our local choices affect global issues. Food choices in particular affect climate, pollution, the environment, social justice and culture.

This blog's motto reflects the concept of think global, act local. I aim to post about not just eating in the Laurel, but many other actions we take in our daily lives here that affect us in our homes but also affect our society and even the planet. It's a big topic, sure.

Foraging for food at this blog will mean going to Walgreen's as well as Farmer Joe's, visiting the Food Mill, the farmers' markets, and Lucky's. I plan to go to International and Foothill Boulevards and other areas of Oakland, looking for good food and signs of community and sustainable living.

Merritt College up the hill from us has a distinguished horticulture program, with many classes on permaculture. Check this blog for news of plant sales and other events.

I will post on earthquake preparedness and food security, solar ovens, and plenty of other issues that seem related to living sustainably here in the Laurel. Please check in regularly, and post your comments below.

Welcome to Forage Laurel!

Think global, eat Laurel



Welcome to Think Global, Eat Laurel, a blog devoted to food, gardening, food preservation and more in Oakland's Laurel District.

We live in an urban neighborhood full of gardens; our bus lines can take us to San Francisco, our email lists are full of "lost chicken" notices. Gardeners, beekeepers, poultry ranchers, permaculturists, bicycle activists, high tech workers, artists, writers, musicians, tradespeople, teachers, civil servants, laborers and scientists live in our neighborhood. We are one of the most diverse zip codes in the country. Our weather is terrific, a Mediterranean climate, and our yards are full of trees and plants that bear fruit year-round.

This blog will be a gathering place for Laurel District foodies: people who want to can produce, people who garden, people who like trying new restaurants and want to gossip about the latest, people who forage for food and people who forage for information on how to live a sustainable, pleasurable life here in 94619.