Cambridge Writers’ Workshop co-Founder co-Director Diana Norma Szokolyai is a finalist for the Salem Poet Laureate. Diana Norma Szokolyai began her poetry journey while living in Paris, France and frequenting the Other Writers Workshop at Shakespeare & Co. Bookshop and Spoken Word Paris. She is an experienced educator, poet, editor, and community builder. Her works include Credo: An Anthology of Manifestos and Sourcebook for Creative Writing and Disobedient Futures (forthcoming), as well as two poetry collections: Parallel Sparrows and Roses in the Snow. She leads the World Poetry Salon at ChagallPAC on Artists’ Row in Salem, providing free literary readings and workshops. Her efforts include a poetry art installation for the Salem Arts Festival and a fellowship award for translating Romani poets from the Center for Arts + Social Justice at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her work explores the transformative power of language, mistranslations, inclusivity, healing, meditation, ecological conservation, the culture of food, and community. Some of her important mentors are poets Kathleen Spivack and Richard Jackson. 

The Poet Laureate Finalist Readings will take place on Friday, September 20th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Forest River Community Room, located at 32 Clifton Ave, Salem, MA 01970.

Dear Reader,

We started our final day in Paris coming together and workshopping our work using the Liz Lerman method and Felicia Rose Chavez’s Artist Statement. In Chavez’s anti-racist model, it is the writer who initiates the dialogue. It begins with a brief summary of your work and three solid questions pertaining to your work that you want critiqued during your workshop time. This is a great way to understand the author and to see what they are looking for as you dive into their work. This workshop time was inspiring, as each writer genuinely engaged in one another’s pieces. I could not help but be in awe of the community that we had created within the past week we had been together. Not only did we lift each other up, but we inspired each other.

We concluded our time together by attending Spoken Word Paris at La Cave Café, a writing community that meets weekly to share their poems, stories, and songs. There only rule is to make the words come alive, and to keep it five minutes! As I weaved throughout the bar and down a steep staircase, I spotted a thick, wooden windowless door at the bottom. As I pushed open the door, I heard the words of poetry sliver up the steps. I was intrigued as I made my way down the steps of this underground world. When I opened the door, a wall of dense air hit me, seeming to hold onto the words of every writer as much as it was holding onto the warmth. I was passed a fan and I watched the entire room fanning themselves, willing to sit in this sweaty basement to hear everyone’s amazing stories.

Tonight’s theme was “push.” Starting at 8:45 p.m., countless writers from all over the world presented their work from poetry to song-writing centering around this theme. Our fellow Co-Director Diana Norma was the feature poet of the night and presented some of her work centering around her heritage, food, and her family. I felt that I could relate to her work through my own writing, as food and family overlap so much in my life, and inspire my writing. Cherishing your roots and passing them down through your own words is one of the ways in which I and many other writers claim their stories. A few of our writers presented their works which included some of their recently workshopped pieces. Their words seems to lift off the page as they read in confident voices that sizzled the room. I enjoyed being a part of the audience this time, but I think next time, I would love to be on that stage as boldly as the others were.

The next day, we concluded our Paris Writing Retreat over a buttery croissant and discussed our writing goals for the future. During this time, we also decided to meet again over Zoom and connect over the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop NING member network. It was amazing to reflect back on how everyone grew and connected in such a short time. Although we were sad to part ways, we are looking forward to seeing everyone accomplish their writing goals and hopefully see them on future retreats!

Sincerely,

Corrine Previte, Manager

Cambridge Writers’ Workshop

Dear Reader,

We made it to Versailles! Today, we had a free day to explore the beautiful palace. I couldn’t believe that Louis XIV roamed this incredible large palace. I was in awe of its vastness as it went on for miles. The city of Versailles is quaint and charming, with restaurants and shops to wander in and out of.

Today also served as a day of reflection as our writers ventured into the gardens to continue their writing projects. Many of our writers visited the Marie Antoinette House for inspiration (which had just opened to the public). Her house was filled with embroidered upholstery, intricate wall designs, and beautiful pieces of artwork, including a portrait of Antoinette herself. Some of our other writers wandered deeper into the groves of the palace and stumbled across the Queen’s Hamlet, which was used by Marie Antoinette as an extra space to relax and host guests. Personally, it reminded me of the cottage in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves; I even thought I saw her myself working throughout the assortment of gardens filled with growing vegetables and opulent flowers. The house also had a pond with a tower (with vines inching up its legs) overlooking it with fish waiting to be greeted. The space was certainly the queen’s own fairytale.

As I flâneused around, I couldn’t help but notice how each part of the castle grounds gleamed as the sun began to set. This whole palace made me channel my inner flâneur as I took note of the intricacies of each corner of the palace. I was especially intrigued with the Great Hall of Mirrors. The chandeliers sparkled reflecting off of the walls made of glass. I thought of past kings and queens roaming such an ornate place every day of their lives.

As the sun began to set, the castle grounds began to light up as the fountains danced to music. The light show had begun. Each statue was surrounded by a sea of lights. The night ended with a beautiful fireworks show. We all watched in awe, feeling invigorated in a place with so much history and beauty. I couldn’t help but to be grateful to be part of Cambridge Writers’ Workshop.

Sincerely,

Corrine Previte, Manager
Cambridge Writers’ Workshop

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Day 3 of our Paris Writing Retreat, where we engaged in a craft of writing seminar titled “Flâneurs, Essays, and Provocateurs” taught by Rita Banerjee. Today we explored what it specifically means to be a flâneur. We also looked at the structures of essays and thought about how evocative essays are attempted and constructed. We learned about how being a flâneur and an essayist are intimately combined. We studied how essayists from Montaigne to James Baldwin to Lauren Elkin to Audre Lorde to Yoko Tawada redefined the environment they inhabit and create a space for electric art. For our walking tour portion of the class, Rita challenged us to channel our inner flâneurs and flâneuses by being open to the all of our senses while through the lively Parisian streets.

The second half of the day, Diana Norma Szokolyai taught “Writing the Moment through Food.” We began our session with a moment of mindfulness where we tried an assortment of French delicacies, such as foie gras. Many of us discovered that foods can evoke a range of emotions and memories. For example, one of us was brought back to our grandmother’s house, while others recalled moments with friends. For me, it brought a sense of warmth and comfort, specifically the Biscoff cookie. I was transported to a rainy New England day where I was sitting inside curled up with a cup of tea and a good book. Fall scented candles like Pumpkin Spice were lit in the background as I wrapped a soft blanket around me (can you tell I’m excited for fall?).

After we had our food tasting, we walked down rue Daguerre, where we encountered a variety of food markets. These markets provided an assortment of options from vibrant strawberries and tomatoes to rolls of cheese and meat for a future charcuterie board. The smells of breads and cheeses filled my nostrils as people’s conversations slipped into my ears. My inner flâneur was on high alert as I took everything in with each step I took. Our first stop on this street was a honey store, Famille Mary, where we tried a range of flavors from different regions throughout France. Each batch of honey had a sense of fullness and pureness of taste that already has me thinking about going back for more. I personally bought honey from the Pyrenees, which I look forward to using in my tea on that rainy New England day.

As our journey down rue Daguerre continued, we entered into one of Paris’ oldest cemeteries, Montparnasse Cemetery, housing many of France’s famous artists, philosophers, and writers. European cemeteries are set up so that the tombstone lies above the ground. Many people choose to leave flowers, mementos, and tributes. Just a handful of artists that we saw buried there were: photographer Gisèle Freund, writer Marguerite Duras, and philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir, whose shared grave was covered in lipstick marks and mementos. Some of us left pens at Duras’ grave.

As we walked further, Diana Norma showed us where famous writers and artists like Picasso, Rilke, Modigliani, Man Ray, and Louie Aragon lived. We also came across apartments where many writers and artists still live in creative communities. This portion of the walk evoked my inner provocateur as I began to wonder, how could I be an agent of change as much as these artists were? In what way could I push the boundaries of societal norms, specifically in the realm of education? I sense another journal entry coming on as I seek to explore both my inner flâneur and provocateur.

Sincerely,

Corrine Previte, Manager
Cambridge Writers’ Workshop

Dear Reader,

In today’s lecture, we discovered “What Makes a Memoir” led by Rita Banerjee. The overall message I received from this class is that memoir is part of our every day routine. You don’t need to be an expert to write one, but memoir requires vulnerability and can push us into an areas of discomfort. At times, I even have a hard time telling my own life story to others. But the great part about writing a memoir is you can choose how you want it written by claiming your own voice and experiences. Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart is a great example of raw and authentic writing. Another one of my favorite examples is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I couldn’t help both envy and be inspired by the journey she took. She had so much will to take a year off and reclaim herself, particularly in a world that wants us to staying grounded and focused in our established careers and community. These are both great reads and fantastic examples of memoirs.

Later on in the day, we had writing time and time to explore the city. I decided to visit the Louvre. I could not believe the size of this museum, I could have spent all day in there. Now, I did see the infamous Mona Lisa, and there was a long line to see her up close. Museum goers waited anxiously to get a glimpse, raising their arms over the sea of people in hopes that their camera could capture her wry smile. I couldn’t help but wonder, if she were to write her own memoir, what would she include in it? What’s her story? What was truly at stake in her life? How different was her life compared to mine?

I pondered these questions as I moved throughout the museum and observed other sculptures and paintings. As I walked further into the depth of the museum, I then began to question the artists who created these works of art. What story were they trying to convey in each one of their works? What sort of struggles or triumphs were they itching to tell? I think one great aspect about a memoir is that it gives you a chance to claim your story, and there is power in that. As I wrap up this post, Rita left us on an encouraging note and said “Don’t have the journey planned, see where your writing takes you. Let the structure bubble through you.” I plan to use these words as inspiration as I tease out my own memoir.

Sincerely,

Corrine Previte, Manager

Cambridge Writers’ Workshop

Dear Reader,

Welcome back to our Paris Writing Retreat blog! Today, we began our time in Paris and attended two great lectures. We began our day with our first craft of writing seminar titled “CREDO & Literary Salon” led by our Co-Directors Rita Banerjee and Diana Norma Szokolyai. As a resource, this class used Cambridge Writers’ Workshop’s CREDO: An Anthology of Manifestos and Sourcebook for Creative Writing (C&R Press), which presents different types of “Credos” or “I believe” statements, manifestos, creative advice and exercises. According to the synopsis a Credo is a “call to arms. It is a declaration…an act of an individual pushing back against society, against established stigmas, taboos, values, and norms.”

I think every writer should have a CREDO or at least challenge themselves by writing one. Having just arrived in Paris, sitting with a group of writers it felt empowering to think about what I believed in. This exercise encouraged me to write the following: “I believe in the fact that every human is capable of doing hard things. I believe that everyone should be loved with the same respect and the dignity that they deserve. Everyone should be open and honest and come forward with calm minds. Minds that aren’t restless or fearful of what the world has to offer.” This CREDO exercise has left me thinking that it would be a great way to introduce a future novel and get into character. The aforementioned quotes are only a small excerpt of the page I wrote for this practice.

We were challenged to create our own credos after reading other credos. Here are some brief excerpts from our CREDO statements:

• “We’re surrounded by obligations. Writing is of me, it is an organ, a ritual.”
• “Writing is a compulsive act.”
• “Believe in leisure, not a metric of performance”
• “Being present is a kind of perfection. A rejection of time.”

After lunch, we had our next craft of writing seminar which was titled “Surrealism in Paris and Beyond” taught by Diana Norma Szokolyai. In the class, we discussed the origin of surrealism and its impact on artists and writers from the 20th century to today. We learned about the tools surrealists use to access the subconscious. We explored the texts of the Surrealist Manifestos, as well as learned about key figures of the movement like André Breton, Yvan Goll, Dora Maar, Louis Aragon, Salvador Dalí, Tristan Tzara, René Magritte, Frida Kahlo, Pierre Reverdy, Méret Oppenheim and more. Since we were staying in Montparnasse, it was interesting to learn about the writers and artists who were connected to the surrealist movement. It was inspiring to read contemporary authors, who are inspired by surrealism, such as Ada Limón and Adam McOmber.

We tried surrealist writing exercises meant to cross the bridges between dreams and reality and go beyond rational thought into the subconscious. I had never done this form of writing before, but I wanted to challenge myself, specifically the dream journaling and automatic writing. Automatic writing seemed daunting to me, it’s a challenge to just write without stopping and going back, crossing something out and editing it altogether (does anyone else’s process look like this? With a bunch of scribbles on the page? Yeah, mine too). To be honest, I think writing without stopping can create the best work from an artist, but being okay with writing without editing needs to be a habit of mind beforehand.

Dreams are also a common inspiration in writing but can also be difficult to depict through one’s art. I started dream journaling, and it was very interesting to tap into this new form of writing. My dreams tend to be vibrant, intense and colorful, which I think is in-line with future work I want to do to expand plot lines and emotional tone. It has been fun seeing how the zaniness and metaphor within one’s dreams come through in each person’s work. The results are both personal and fantastical all at once!

At night, we enjoyed a beautiful cruise on the Seine River and we were able to see all the landmarks lit up. Enjoy the photos below!

Sincerely,

Corrine Previte, Manager
Cambridge Writers’ Workshop

Dear Reader,

Today, was our first official day in Paris. We hit the ground running by having our first dinner at La Baraka where we were greeted by the resident feline, Fluky. With a warm meow for a hello, we walked inside to a beautiful courtyard filled with wisteria, wooden chairs, pillows, and wicker light fixtures. After a long day of traveling, we were served a comforting meal of couscous that could be mixed with chicken, sausage, chickpea stew, fish, kebabs, and a smooth and crisp wine that was hard to refuse (check it out below).

This meal involved introductions and deep conversation about the importance of the arts today. The big topic of discussion was: why is society diminishing the arts? For example, currently most of Hollywood’s writers and actors are on strike due to AI or artificial intelligence. The major concerns surrounding artificial intelligence are how and where it is being used, like writing TV shows or movies for us. Many writers and actors are concerned that this is going to be our future. Another burning question surrounding this issue was, how can artificial intelligence replicate one of the most important qualities of being human, such as empathy and overall emotions? I’ll let you answer that one for yourself. This led into our next part of the conversation of why we are holding this retreat and why our participants are here. We want to be able to create a space where all creativity and writing is nurtured. We also want to create a space where writers feel inspired and what better place than Paris? A city where the arts are alive and well. Many of our participants not only joined for the scenery but to also have a safe and inclusive space. They also joined to find inspiration and to fall in love with writing again.

The night went on as a saxophone melody started playing in the background. No one seemed to know where it came from except for one: Fluky. Fluky sat on the roof completely engaged by the art that was happening. He could not help but listen and close his eyes while his ears perked up at each note. I’m not sure about you all but we had never seen a cat so engaged and at peace with music playing. That’s the beauty of the arts, you never know what kind of emotion or feeling they can evoke, even for a cat. Art helps people to process emotions, surroundings, and to help better understand the world. As we wrap up this blog post, we not only encourage you to find joy in the arts but we encourage you all to be like Fluky. Engaged, appreciative, understanding, and open to transforming your art.

Sincerely,

Corrine Previte, Manager
Cambridge Writers’ Workshop