Live Generative Writing Workshops on Ekphrastic Poetry

In 2024, while dealing with a serious medical condition, I've taken a wild ride with Lorette C. Luzajic and ekphrasis. Writing in response to art is helping me heal at the soul level, and for that, I am forever grateful. ~ Barbara K.

Workshops with Lorette are a dive into treasures: rich resources she shares, support and enthusiasm she generously gives, and the inspiration that abounds in her offerings. ~ Fran T.

Lorette is a marvelous teacher. Her thoughtful and well-organized course outline and lessons are paired with time for generative writing, sharing drafts, and discussions during class. Lorette's tremendous knowledge, creativity, and warmth permeate her classes as well as her written feedback on students' writing and private one-on-one meetings. She inspires her students to see and hear words and the world in new ways. ~ Sharon R.

This course went well beyond my expectations. Lorette's tranquil demeanor belies the many new ideas and contexts for old ideas she offers. All her examples empower listeners to think of themselves as potential creators. For both beginners and veterans, she provides a fresh, worldly look at the task of writing prose or poetry inspired by art. Lorette has extensive knowledge and empathy, two sterling qualities for teaching . I expect to be a frequent "Zoomer" of Lorette based on my experience. Yes, I am "hooked"! ~ Mary L.

If you love learning about art and artists and if you love writing, Lorette's workshops are the perfect place to twine those loves together! Comfortable, educational and inspiring, these two enjoyable hours fly by. And like me, you may linger breathing in the riches of The Ekphrastic Review for your heart and soul. ~ Fran Turner

Lorette is a powerful writer and generous teacher and I'm so grateful I found her prose poetry course. She introduced me to the form with thoughtful writing prompts, provided extensive background and analysis, and welcomed everyone with a spirit of kindness and inclusion that never wavered. I'm inspired. ~ Sonia Weaver

Lorette is one of the most vibrant, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable workshop leaders I've encountered, and I've worked with about a dozen of the top poets in the U.S., including Naomi Shihab Nye, Ted Kooser, and Jane Hirshfield. No one should get bored by coming back again and again. It's amazing how she keeps the topic fresh: always varied, always full of more prompts and resources to check, and most important of all, always welcoming to everyone who shows up. ~ Alarie T.

When I register for a Lorette-led workshop, invariably I discover that I'm needing this gifted writing teacher in my life to move off the dime. Lorette's brilliance is matched by her colorful Zoom presence replete with zany glasses and splashy original murals in the background. Lorette goes the extra miles to present material that is stimulating and thoughtful. She is generous and kind when giving feedback. So helpful as my inner critic stops me from sitting down to write on my own. Her prompts open me up to my inner life that sits patiently waiting for the chance to come out and play. Lorette's sense of humor and love of the silly moment makes class engaging. Take a chance, get off the fence and sign up for a workshop. You get a lot of bang for your buck with Lorette. You'll also meet like-minded writers to build community and shared purpose. ~ Karen O.

Having taken several of Lorette's workshops, and both her courses offered through WOW, I feel qualified to speak of her masterful teaching techniques. She brings every ounce of her own artisanship and passion for art right up to the podium and then exudes not just knowledge but a refreshing sense of wonder, amazement and enthusiasm for the content of her subject matter... She becomes a co-equal adventurer with those of us who follow her guidance. Thank you WOW for bringing Lorette into this community. Again, she is one among a short list of my very favorite (for their excellence) teachers. ~ Karen FitzGerald

Lorette's course provides a multitude of opportunities to practice the craft of writing in a supportive, non-judgmental setting. In four weeks, my confidence grew and my creativity blossomed. ~ Allison C.

Additional Testimonials for Lorette C. Luzajic:

In Lorette Luzajic's four-week course on Writing Prose Poetry, I learned how to flex my linguistic muscle, experiment with form, and deepen my enthusiasm for poetic form better suited to my own narrative style. ~ Barbara Krasner, Somerset, NJ USA

The Prose Poetry class with Lorette was a joy! Such a terrific blend of writing time, history, skills exercises, and tips on publishing. I highly recommend it! ~ Andrea R.

Lorette is an outstanding instructor of prose poetry. She takes a personal interest in each student by being inclusive during class and also meeting 1:1 with each. Lorette gives informative instruction as well as examples, exercises, and helpful feedback. I would love to take another course from Lorette in the future. ~ Leslie C.

Lorette's class in prose poetry exceeded my high expectations and I look forward to taking another class with her. She is an excellent and organized teacher who set a comfortable atmosphere for sharing, as well as providing very useful handouts and generous feedback on our poems. ~ Maureen S.

Lorette has a deep knowledge of prose poetry. The resources she provides, and the enthusiasm with which she shares her knowledge, made this one of the best online writing courses I have taken. She is organized, providing a wealth of information and examples of the concepts under discussion. And she is open-hearted: She authentically welcomes writers in her class to be part of the prose-poem-writing community and offers positive and helpful responses to the writing shared with her. As a teacher myself I appreciate her attention to creating such a welcoming and stimulating environment, and to delivering interesting, well-paced content. This four-week course flew by. It was just the right amount of time and depth for the time I had available. I've already recommended it to some writer friends, and I plan to take another course from her when my schedule allows. ~ Joanne

It gives me great pleasure to say that Lorette has made this course on Prose Poetry exciting and informative! During the four weeks we met which flew by, she generously offered her online support, gave us tons of course resources, and encouraged while interacting with us, interesting discussions relating to prose poetry. Furthermore, She gave us writing prompt activities and gave us ample time to share our writings from them. I would definitely recommend this class, and take another one with Lorette C. Luzajic! ~ Sharon O. B.

Lorette is generous with her time, knowledge, and encouragement. Not only did I leave the class with a whole whack of poems that I am happy with and that I will revise, she also helped me work through some blocks I was having. ~ Linda S

I just finished my first four-part prose poetry workshop with Lorette Luzajic, and it has been an incredible journey! The experience was truly transformative for me. Lorette's master of creative writing is evident in every session, and I love her engaging presentation style and her lively class discussions. She is one of the most colorful and inspiring individuals I have ever met. Her passion for writing is contagious, and you can't help but feel motivated during and after each class! Each week, she presents a thoughtful and enriching curriculum filled with valuable information on poets, poems, writing exercises, homework, and more. Moreover, she is extremely generous with her time, offering detailed critiques of work we submit after a session, providing invaluable feedback that helps her students grow as writers. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my way to her workshops, and I look forward to participating in many more of them! ~ Barbara A.

My class with Lorette was a deep dive into the fantastical underwater world of prose poetry, and I couldn't imagine having a better guide among the anemone and sea creatures. Each week Lorette shared gorgeous and varied examples of this rebel genre and art form, broadening my vision of what prose poetry can be and do, along with creative prompts that inspired our group to write. Her teachings will stay with me for a long time. ~ Wendy Kagan

Lorette's prose poetry class was so rich and rewarding, providing everything I was seeking: historical context, technique, prompts, reading recommendations, publication tips, and more. She was generous with feedback and responsive to questions, creating a welcoming and stimulating environment. I'd jump at the chance to study with her again. ~ Tracy R.

I knew very little of prose poetry until I took this workshop. Four weeks was not enough... I wish we had more weeks to continue learning and experimenting with our prose poetry! The information shared taught us so much. I had no idea about this genre's freedom and diversity of expression in language and form. I write narrative poetry and found joy in experimentation as I revised some of these to prose poetry - the narrative became clearer, and I experienced the freedom from line and rhyme, yet felt how rhythm and rhyme became stronger, with the piece evoking more from me as a writer. I am so glad I took your workshop! ~ Evelyn J.C.

These workshops, with inspiring art prompts and educational descriptions by the brilliant artist and writer Lorette C. Luzajic, can be used like a secret remedy for letting the creative genie out of her bottle. ~ Meg Pokrass

I signed up for my first workshop with Lorette in 2022 through Women in the Visual and Literary Arts. By the end of that session, I was truly Hooked on Ekphrasis. Since then, I've joined many of her classes, each time deepening my knowledge of art, writing, and self-discovery. Lorette brings a wealth of insight into both art and artists, creating a welcoming space that encourages everyone to engage in ways that feel most authentic. Her workshops offer multiple approaches to exploring and practicing writing about art—whether in poetry, prose, or something entirely unique. Every experience in her classes has enriched my life and strengthened my creative work. ~ Kathi C.

If you love learning about art and artists and if you love writing, Lorette's workshops are the perfect place to twine those loves together! Comfortable, educational and inspiring, these two enjoyable hours fly by. And like me, you may linger breathing in the riches of The Ekphrastic Review for your heart and soul. ~ Fran Turner

Lorette packs in a wealth of information about the practice of ekphrastic writing. This class is a good balance between background information, writing exercises and sharing work with the class participants. Lorette builds camaraderie and community into her classes. She brings so much fun, joy and insight to her teaching. A valuable experience! ~ Karen Ostrov

This course definitely fulfilled the "Wow" factor already in the first class. ~ Elissa G.

By the end of the first class I was exhausted AND exhilarated and oh so happy to have been there. I'm hooked. ~ Susie W.

Truly, you are one of the best teachers I've ever had. ~ Karen F.

I recently attended the Hooked On Ekphrasis class led by Lorette Luzajic. The classes were by far the most educational ones on ekphrastic writing I've ever attended and I plan to incorporate many of her resources into my own teaching. Her personal attention to questions and homework was also most appreciated. ~ Sharon M.

Whether you're a novice or an expert, Lorette's Hooked on Ekphrasis is for you. It's jam-packed with resources, wisdom, and creativity. The art is well-curated, and the writing prompts are spot on. ~ Nan W.

I agree with all my co-participants in this workshop, Hooked on Ekphrasis, it was wonderful and wonder filled. Bursting with information, examples, exercises and resources, it has given me a mammoth dose of inspiration and enthusiasm. Thank you so much Lorette. I'm looking forward to more. ~ Kaz O.

Lorette conducted a wonderful class, with a great deal of encouragement and information provided. The visual prompts included were so evocative, and the discussions lively and insightful. I'll be looking to join another of her class offering in the future! ~ Mary G.

Lorette C. Luzajic is an excellent teacher who welcomes participants in her courses, whether they are beginners or experienced ekphrastic poets. Her knowledge and enthusiasm are contagious. She is always generous in sharing her experience, her background in art and artists and writers. I highly recommend her courses and her website. ~ Lynne Kemen