Tomoko is certified by the Amherst Writers & Artists Group to lead writing workshops using their tried and true method developed nearly 20 years ago. Pat Schneider developed this writing method with the intent to help traditionally silenced groups speak out and be artists through their writing (e.g., women in poverty). Not surprisingly, this method has inspired and/ or launched writers from diverse backgrounds, regardless of gender, race, experience, age, level of education or socio-economic status.
Experience
Tomoko has led writing workshops in Marin for two years. She most recently volunteered at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, running a writing workshop for teens. She has also run writing workshops for senior citizens in Oakland, CA.
Feedback from Participants
Oakland senior citizen’s workshop:
* So when do we meet again?!
* It is so interesting to listen to everyone’s writing.
* ”I don’t know where that came from”… referring to her own writing.
* Such a productive way to spend an afternoon.
* I really enjoyed this process. I would like to do this again!
* I wasn’t sure how two hours would work out, but I could have stayed longer.
Marin workshop:
* You bring such thoughtful effort to us. That has given me new ways to think about how and what I write. Best of all I have enjoyed myself doing it! Do you remember that first night I said, “Writing is damned hard work”? Well, it’s a little, just a little, less so, thanks to you. Your classes have been nicely done. Thanks for all you have brought to them.
* I really appreciated your supportive, non-judgmental way you ran the class… in addition to your gentle, supportive personal manner.
* Lovely, knowledgeable teacher.
* This format suited me perfectly – very safe. The prompts were extremely helpful and fun.
* Feels like a safe environment to write and read with no judgements.
Personal Stuff
Tomoko has enjoyed writing since her earliest years. She remembers journaling and writing silly poems. She has written content for various media and has used her writing and communications skills in her career and as a volunteer in various organizations. She is currently working on a few poems and short stories. She feels blessed (and sometimes tired) to be a mother of three children ages four, six and ten.
Her poem, “Time” appears in Vintage Voices, an anthology of works by the Redwood Writers (redwoodwriters.org), September 2009. Another of her poems has been published by Tiny-Lights.com.
In her spare time (what spare time?) she enjoys being in nature (hiking, biking), jogging, writing, reading, and taking photos. She also likes to paint, sculpt, knit and sew–tactile and design projects in general. Her most recent “tactile project” was designing and building a chicken coop with her son. Life is good!
