Monthly creative writing studios: A relaxing accepting space for writers and creatives of all styles and experiences
Every month, we offer a series of four hand-crafted 2-hr afternoon studios, each on a unique theme comprising guided exercises, discussion, and dedicated writing time.
At their essence, these are creative writing studios, but all creative individuals are welcome to join, brainstorm, and/or glean inspiration for their projects!
We focus on creating a chill environment to nurture the imagination while providing techniques and inspiration. These are not critique-based workshops, so no pressure! All positive vibes.
You'll leave with one or a combination of:
A fresh angle on something that's been sitting in a drawer, forgotten computer folder, or deep in the back of your mind too long
The beginnings of a first draft of something you didn't even know you needed to write
A new scene, image, or character pulled straight from the studio theme and one of the most atmospheric cities on earth
The first lines of something that will actually lead you to a finished piece of work
Each studio is limited to 8 participants, so be sure to secure your space for each studio below!
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Studio 1 - Camp: Boas & Tears with Brian Wood-Koiwa
Sun. 8 November 14:00-16:00 Takadanobaba
“That’s so Camp!” I’m sure you or one or two of your friends have said this at some point, but do we really know what it actually means? In a rhinestone-studded nutshell, Camp is real feelings with outrageous delivery; oozing with irony and theatricality. Think of a drag queen lip-syncing a tear-jerker ballad. The tears as well as the three-inch lashes and meter-high wig are real and on equal terms.
In this studio, we’ll use the different takes on Camp, from Sontag’s to Isherwood’s to Babuscio’s, and use them, through guided writing exercises, to tell a tragedy like a reality-TV confessional, write a character’s entrance that would make anyone in the room seethe with jealousy, and write something heartfelt in the most outrageous way imaginable. Sequins and boas optional but encouraged.
Pre-studio assignment: Camp can be easiest explained through film. Think of a Camp classic then try to tell us why you think it “Campy”.
This creative writing studio is led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing studios; author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; author coach for speculative fiction authors; and urban photographer. urbanweird.com
Studio 2 - The Body as Oracle with Joy Waller
Sun. 22 November 14:00-16:00 Takadanobaba
What if your body could tell the future?
For centuries, people have looked to hands, eyes, bones, stars, Tarot cards, and other strange signs for glimpses of what lies hidden.
In this studio, we’ll take inspiration from ancient and traditional forms of divination to turn the human body into an oracle. Through a series of imaginative writing prompts, we’ll invent new ways of reading palms, scars, teeth, bones, and other parts of ourselves — and see what the body might reveal when we stop taking its usual meanings for granted.
This creative writing studio is led by Joy Waller, co-founder of Moon Hotel Press, co-host of Drunk Poets See God, editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal, and co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops. Author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat and Cosmic Nervosa. joywaller.com
Our first UWH Salon is coming
Sun. 6 December. More Details to come!
Meet Your Hosts
Joy Waller
Joy was raised in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada and spent her young adulthood on Vancouver Island. She currently resides in Tokyo, Japan, where she serves as an editor at the Tokyo Poetry Journal and co-hosts the long-standing open mic series Drunk Poets See God. She is also the co-founder of Moon Hotel Press and Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops. Her fiction & poetry have appeared in numerous publications, including Best Canadian Stories 2021, and she is the author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat (2019) and Cosmic Nervosa (2024).
Visit www.joywaller.com for more info.
Brian Wood-Koiwa
Brian was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania in the US but knew he really belonged in cities—the bigger the better. He was thus destined to settle in the megalopolis of Tokyo over 20 years ago. He is the co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops; author of the serialized UrbanWeird dark fantasy novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; literary and technical editor; and founder of Tokyo Photo Explorations.
Visit the following for more info:
UrbanWeird Chronicles (fiction); BWK Editorial Services (editing); Tokyo Photo Explorations (photo walks)