LITERARY SALONS

Welcome!
I hope you enjoy this recording of our first Virtual Literary Salon,
which highlights my students work.
The Q&A after the reading turned into a lovely, intimate conversation,
which is not included in this recording.

Winter 2022 Virtual Literary Salon
Program/Reading Order

Map
Jack Cairl

Recovering Perfectionist
Brauna Brickman

No Such Thing as Ignorance
Carole Key

Moroccan Fish
Lotem Porat

Daddy’s Little Girl
Caroline Sweet

Riding with The Duke
They Call Me Pig (Excerpt)
André Lowe

Shamans’ Dreams
Ellen Ronis

Layers
Tarnie F. Israelsson

Affair Negotiations
Jenn Winters

Canadian Love Story
Vik Sheldon

Meet to Marry
Rachel Koutnik

First Kiss
Russell Harvey

Brauna Brickman is a personal essayist who has been crafting her memoir since 1963. After graduating SDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Psychology and Sociology, she started reading scripts for Paramount, Columbia, and MGM studios from 1977 until 1987. In 1987 she co-authored the novelization of the ABC television mini-series, Amerika. In 1988 she wrote a comedy entitled, If It’s Meant to Be that was rejected by some of Hollywood’s finest comedic actresses. In 1989 she became a full-time mom and continued writing essays. She is working on a memoir.

Jack Cairl is a retired attorney and for ten years has been writing in Bella’s workshops—the delightful variety of which have neither withered nor faded. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Zazi and now uses Bella’s classes to transition into a more creative life.

Russell Harvey grew up in Whittier, California, when much of the land was still orange groves. When he was in third grade, The Whittier Daily News published his first short story, “Not Poisonous.” Russell holds a B.A. in applied mathematics and an M.A. in spiritual psychology. He trained in somatic psychology at the Radical Aliveness/Core Energetics Institute and is an advocate and leader for men’s health.

Tarnie F. Israelsson is the creator of Body Centered Medicine®, a somatic practice that uncovers messages held by the body, which have roots in what we think, what we feel, and who we are. She helps clients transform pain and anxiety by empowering their inner self-leadership. Tarnie is a mentor, healer, speaker (Tedx Presenter) and budding author. She is also an Australian-trained Sports Medicine Physiotherapist, who worked with athletes in the 2000 Australian Olympics. Tarnie enjoys partnering with people interested in healing on all levels—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Carole Key flirted with writing for years. After a career in education writing grant proposals, reports, evaluations, and more, she is now exploring writing for personal healing and growth. Her interests include creating an enticing environment for her friends and family, which she’s doing with her house remodel. She enjoys drinking the wine from her vineyard (instead of making it), practicing Pilates, fundraising for Huntington Hospital, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, and the Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library and Gardens.

Rachel Koutnik is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in community mental health and private practice. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, and lived in Chicago for fourteen years. Rachel enjoys ballroom dancing and is currently learning a West Coast Swing and Hustle. She lives with her cat, Lavender in Playa Vista, and takes Bella’s online Zoom class, where she’s working on a memoir.

André Lowe is a retired L.A. police officer. From patrol and community relations in Hollywood Division to undercover and patrol assignments in South Central LA., Andre was on duty during the LA Riots, Northridge earthquake, and the tragedy and spectacle of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. He lives with his amazing wife Lisa and their ten-year-old Belgian Malinois, Luna, in Georgia, his native state. André has been inspired by each person he has shared space with in Bella’s writing classes. He is grateful for the generous spirit and loving attention he has received from Bella. Her classes have been both inspiring and cathartic. André will always hold a special place in his heart for Bella and The Goddesses of her Circle of Zoom.

Lotem Porat is a yoga teacher who loves the desert for its vastness and clear, starry nights. She started writing with Bella two years ago and is enjoying using writing to explore childhood traumas, to find her voice, and to carve out her own path for freedom. She doesn’t have any pets but would like to have a puppy. In the meantime, she enjoys taking care of her plants. A favorite is her Fiddle Leaf Fig plant.

Note: Lotem shared beautifully from her heart at our salon, but chose not to have her story included in this video.

Ellen Ronis is a master massage therapist practicing for over 35 years. She is also a movement educator and an Authentic Movement and Arts coach using freeform dance, art, and writing to process what is present in the moment. Ellen became a potter at the start of the Covid shutdown and adds that to her list of creative endeavors. In Bella’s writing class she gained confidence and appreciation for her voice and plans to continue writing as a therapeutic and creative practice. Connect with Ellen on Instagram at ellenronispottery and ellenronishealingarts.

Vik Sheldon (aka Vik Shaw) is a multi-disciplinary artist. The owner and designer of V.C.Torias art to wear for over thirty years, she is also a prolific painter and mosaic artist. Vik has always dreamed of being a writer; four plus years studying the craft from Bella has convinced her that she is one. She chooses to explore writing in addition to multiple other art forms. Vik is loving life and the freedom of having returned to Canada to fully flesh out her curious, red headed explorations! Who knows where it will lead?

Caroline Sweet is an actor, writer and producer living in Los Angeles, California. Classically trained in improv and sketch, she currently straddles the line between thought-provoking drama and smart comedy. It’s all smiles until it's not. Caroline's writing centers on film/tv for social change and first-person narrative essays covering a range of topics from mental health, family dynamics, pop culture and all the things we go through as humans. Caroline loves all things mystical as well as space, ghosts, dinosaurs, Drag Race, and wine. Her skills include the ability to pull off any hair color and smiling. No, she was not named after the Neil Diamond song. Yes, she wishes she were.

Jenn Winters is an actor/writer/massage therapist/yoga teacher/and sometimes a server. An LA cliché that moved back to her small hometown of Walla Walla, Washington during the pandemic. She’s eternally grateful for Bella’s class and her fellow students as they give her a chance to connect and laugh and perform. She likes cats and collects sunglasses and looks forward to traveling and gathering more adventures to write about.

Our In-person Salons have been cancelled, until further notice, due to COVID-19

Photos from our Winter 2020 Salon

Photos from our Fall 2019 Salon

Congrats to my students who read amazing work!

Winter Salons are held indoors

This event is free and open to the public, but you must R.S.V.P.

uncanny ability to engage people and draw them out.

Listening to Bella and her students read their own material makes it absolutely come alive!”

—Adrienne Walsh Gibson, Executive Director of Alumnae Engagement, Scripps College