"Each author was very encouraging, pushed me to new levels. I felt as though I were helping to push the other group members to new levels- very satisfying!"

"Each author was vibrantly different, expanding my writing in different directions."

"The best part of the experience for me? The high quality of the writing instructors, their writing and teaching skills, intellectual level. Wow!"

"The instructors were extremely good at giving us the space to write and providing exercises that spurred our imaginations."

October is a beautiful time in Moab with chilly evenings, sunny but comfortable afternoons, and glorious fall leaf display.

Our faculty for 2009 includes Ann Vileisis and Deborah Madison. Both have a passion for writing, the outdoors, gardening, and food.

Some info on classes:

Is there Colorado River in your peach pie? Most fruit produced in the arid West grows to its luscious sweetness only by drinking up water from rivers--a bittersweet paradox for anyone who loves wild rivers and dessert. In this workshop, we'll consider ways our food system has "eaten" the West by spending time in an abandoned old orchard on the banks of the Colorado. We'll listen for birdsong, the rustle of leaves, and echoes of the past as we practice ways to engage four key aspects of our writer selves: poet, analyst, storyteller, and critic.

In this workshop we will approach memoir by writing through the lens of food and all that food might mean to you. We will write and read in response to some unexpected, subjects, for food can lead us into bright spaces as well as dark corners.

One day we will take our writing efforts to a farm and write from the experience of being on farmland and all that it might inspire.

Finally, we will study the craft of writing recipes, cookbooks, and especially, head notes, where the soul of the recipe resides. I will bring examples of different approaches to writing head notes, which can be thought of as very short essays, and we will practice writing our own, whether for something imaginary or an actual recipe.We've changed our format this year to accommodate tighter schedules and give you more time with the faculty member of your choice.

The Nitty Gritty Details:

Confluence's 2 day writing workshop begins with a Snack and Stroll hike on Wednesday, October 21st 4 pm. This is the Moab way of getting acquainted - go on a walk and share some food. You'll meet your instructors and listen to them read. Think of it as an appetizer for the main course starting the following day.

The writing workshop begins in earnest on Thursday, October 22nd, 9 am, at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center. You will spend the morning indoors and move to a variety of outdoor locations (the Colorado River, the Mayberry Preserve, a local farm) after a scrumptious lunch. On Friday, we will move to the outdoor gardens of the Youth Garden Project for another morning of writing exercises and conclude our time together with another shared meal and student readings.

1. 2 locally-made, organic lunches prepared by area chefs

2. 12 hours of writing instruction

3. a 1/2 day field trip with writing instructor and local guide

4. a moderate meet-and-greet hike and reading from faculty

5. free ticket for 3 evening events-  October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th

6. required licenses or fees for public land and/or parks

5. housing discount at the Bowen Motel or Up the Creek Campground. Details will be sent to you once you register.

As an additional treat (and brand new this year), we are offering an opportunity to receive feedback 1 on 1 from an author of your choice. This is your opportunity to receive personal feedback on a work of your choice. Consultations last 50 minutes and the cost is an additional $150. For these consultations, all work must be submitted to Confluence by October 1st and must be 15 pages or less in length, 1" margins all around, single sided, and double spaced. Contact Confluence 435-220-0068 if you are interested in this opportunity. Space is extremely limited and available on a first come first serve basis. This opportunity is only available to participants of the Intensive Writing Workshop.