“Thank You, Mama” Creative Writing Workshop
9-11 June 2023 in Vienna, Austria
The Workshop.
Let’s meet in the gorgeous Imperial city of Vienna to write, explore our mothers’ legacies, meditate, and enjoy art – all with the goal of creating the best versions of ourselves. You will bond with fascinating international women and explore your potential guided by inspiring instructors whose heart, soul, and professional experience lie in creative writing, meditation, art meditation, and self-development.
Ana Tajder
Ana is an award-winning author and journalist. She has published two memoirs, as well as over a hundred essays, articles, and interviews in English, Austrian, German, and Croatian newspapers, magazines, and journals. In 2020, Ana launched her “Thank You, Mama” podcast in which she interviews women from around the world about the most important lessons they learned from their mothers. The podcast won three international awards and has listeners in over 80, and guests from over 60 countries.
Traude Wild
Traude Wild was teaching art history at several Universities in the United States. As an adjunct professor, she organized and led study abroad programs in Central Europe for the University of South Carolina. She has practiced Zen meditation for over twenty years. Through her love for art, meditation, and creative writing, she created the method of creative art meditation, which she teaches at Sigmund Freud University in Vienna and in independent workshops. She is the author of three books, a certified Vienna guide, and a specialist on David Bohm’s Dialogue.
Karen C.L.Anderson (Guest Speaker)
Karen is a certified Life Coach and author of “Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters: A Guide for Separation, Liberation and Inspiration”, and “Overcoming Creative Anxiety Journal”.
The Agenda.
On the first day, we will explore the mothers and influential women of Vienna through art meditation at the Art History Museum and a guided tour through Vienna's historical center.
The following two days will be dedicated to creative writing about our mothers and their lessons. The days will be filled with many short meditations. On Saturday, will be joined by our guest speaker Karen C.L. Anderson, who will talk about healing difficult mother-daughter relationships.
Your writing level is not relevant – what matters is letting your creativity flow and reaching a deeper consciousness about your origins and your needs. Meditation experience is also unnecessary.
The Goal.
When you finish the workshop, you will have completed your own “Thank You, Mama Manifesto”: a written document about your mother, her life, and her lessons, and a personal plan on how to mother yourself in order to enhance your life with more self-love, strength, and courage.
The Cost.
€300 for all three days.
Itinerary.
DAY I, 9 June, Friday 10:00-17:00 - What is Mama? (Mama in art. Mama in Vienna.)
10:00 Welcome & Introduction (at the AWA, 1., Singerstrasse 4/11)
11:00 Mothers of Vienna - Guided tour with Traude
13:00 Lunch (location TBD)
15:00 Art History Museum (Café on the 1st Floor) - Art Meditation with Traude
18:00 Dinner (optional)
DAY II, 10 June, Saturday 10:00-17:00 - My mama.
10:00-13:15 Let’s write about our mothers. - Creative writing with Ana
13:15-14:00 Lunch
14:15-14:35 Let’s write about our mothers. II - Creative writing with Ana
15:30-16:00 Closing Session
16:00-17:00 Karen C.L. Anderson "Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters" - Guest Speaker
18:00 Dinner (optional)
DAY III, 11 June, Sunday 10:00-16:00 - My Mama’s Lessons & Mothering Myself
10:00-13:15 Let’s write about our mothers’ lessons - Creative writing with Ana
13:15-14:00 Lunch
14:00-16:00 Let’s write about how we could mother ourselves - Creative writing with Ana
15:15-15:30 Break
15:30-16:00 Let’s do a feedback round
18:00 Dinner (optional)
