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"Bella’s class is a writer’s oasis, for both beginners and seasoned writers alike. She provides an environment that supports, encourages, and challenges the creative process in all of us. A great class for those who want to connect with their inner storyteller and get it down on paper. Highly, highly recommended!"
David Cordova, H.S. History Teacher
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"The word that best describes Bella as a teacher of the art and craft of writing is 'Nurturing.' To describe Bella further, I paraphrase Lao Tse: 'She is content to serve as an example and not impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Her words are straightforward, yet gracious. Her knowledge is radiant; her touch caring. The strength of a jewel is in being a stone.'"
Glenn Schiffman, Recovery Counseler
Next Top Spiritual Author Competion Finalist, Hampton Roads Press, 2010
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"Bella provides such a supportive environment in her workshop that I felt comfortable reading my work in the first class, even though I hadn’t done any creative writing for thirty years. My writing improved each week. Fast forward to the end of the course: I have discovered my natural voice, know what type of writing I want to do, realize I have a gift for dialogue, and am aware of writing skills I need to develop. I signed up for her winter workshop and can't wait to keep going!"
Robin Stroll, Technical Writer,
Amgen, Blue Shield, Caltech, Verizon & Wellpoint
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"What I appreciate about Bella’s class is that it’s a nurturing and exciting environment for people at all levels of writing ability. I feel free to express myself and I know I will get feedback that is both supportive and critical. Bella embraces each individual voice, and helps us hone our craft, rather than trying to make our work fit into a particular cannon, type, or genre. We all work at our own speed, in our own way, and are free to experiment and take risks. Everyone, no matter their writing skills or experience, is treated as equals and guided by Bella’s expertise. Having such a varied group of people, working on different projects, at different levels of ability, creates a wonderfully rich tapestry of experiences and material. I feel safe experimenting and taking risks because Bella is very open. I feel truly blessed to be part of this workshop."
Megan Oberle, Actress and mother of three little ones
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"In my very first class session with Bella I tapped into a depth of feeling and expression I didn't know I possessed. In each subsequent class I've learned to re-connect to that source while adding technique and control to my writing. I came to the class directionless, but with a strong desire to write. That desire, and the technique needed to carry it out, grew stronger in each and every session. Best of all, a direction is emerging. I'm inspired by all my classmates--there are some very accomplished writers, but also beginners--and Bella has the ability to work with each of us at whatever level we've reached. It's like a great writer's group with strong guidance. I look forward all week to our Saturday sessions."
Julia Fischer Baumgartner, PsyD, President, Art-Cm
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"Wow! What an experience! What a class! Bella is a one-of-a-kind writing instructor. She is like a wise and gentle woman warrior; whatever personal barriers keep you from accessing your inner creativity, Bella will, one by one, knock them down and eradicate them. Be it an overgrown critic that sits on your shoulder and squelches your creative urge, or powerful emotions (like shame) that keep you silent, Bella will use insight and compassion to ultimately heal the writer within, thereby allowing your writer to emerge, unabashed and unapologetic."
Leslie Levy, Mother and homemaker trained in social work
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"Bella is the most well spoken, vivid, and authentic author and teacher I know. Her words ring true in my life and inspire me to be the best writer I can be. Bella’s class, where she imparts her wisdom, knowledge and skill, is a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. It has positively and permanently changed my direction as a writer and as a person."
VanNessa Hulme, Opera Singer & voice teacher
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"The class with Bella helped me to re-discover my appreciation for the writing process as one of both art and of self-discovery. We were a small class of people coming from different levels of writing experience, but Bella created an intimate space for us to maintain a focus and receive her expert feedback, insight and individually tailored support, which, for me, created a safe space to have a voice for my stories and kept me on track with both the technical skill of writing and provided insight into the directions in which I could take the stories. Most of all, I discovered that what I choose to put on the paper can not only bring me present to the moment but that it can also be related to deeply by the reader, which affirms the beauty of the written word as a vehicle for sharing the mystery and challenges of the human experience!"
Anne Geismann Alene, Art Travel Planner & Lecturer, Japanese-English Interpretation
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"Bella’s workshop was eye opening and mind expanding. The exercises were challenging and unique and allowed us to explore ways of writing "outside the box," without boundaries. I liked that there were no rules or "wrong topics" to write about. Difficult subjects and personal subjects were treated like any subject would be, without judgment or criticism about the topic--just great feedback on conveying information. I have much more to learn before I can consider myself a viable writer, but this workshop was the best thing I could have ever done to get myself moving the right direction on that path."
Yvette Horne, Masseuse
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