Patricia Dove Miller

Creative Writing requires much craft and practice-- even for the talented and the brave. Acquiring a good toolkit is essential for any writer. For our Ladyfest participants who would like to explore this art form in-depth, Patricia Dove Miller has created a workshop on "Writing Practice". This technique, developed by Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones)helps you to quiet your inner critic, delve into your unconscious, go deeper into your writing, and increase your creativity. Patricia Dove Miller has taught writing and meditation residential retreats at Zen Mountain Center in Idyllwild for six years; she also taught at the San Diego Writing Center and the Shiho Center for Creative Arts. She has recently completed her MFA in Creative Writing at Vermont College. Here we find out more about Patricia, one of the stars of our local Literary scene!

Ladyfest: How did you begin your career in Writing?

Patricia: I WAS LIVING IN JAPAN AND A FRIEND LOANED ME A COPY OF NATALIE GOLDBERG'S BOOK, WRITING DOWN THE BONES. IT WAS A MATTER OF THE RIGHT TIME, THE RIGHT METHOD, THE RIGHT PLACE. I HAD A STORY I WAS DYING TO TELL AND GOLDBERG GAVE ME THE TOOLS. I'VE BEEN WRITING EVER SINCE. LATER I WENT TO ONE OF HER TAOS WORKSHOPS AND REALIZED THAT I WANTED TO TEACH WRITING LIKE SHE DID AND SHE BECAME MY FIRST MENTOR.

L: What do you enjoy the most about your work?


P: THE CREATIVITY AND FREEDOM. LEARNING, DISCOVERING, EXPLORING, AS I WRITE: ABOUT MYSELF, MY LIFE, OTHERS' LIVES, MY CRAFT, MY ART.


L:What is the most challenging aspect of your job?


P: LEARNING TO REVISE, TO PERSEVERE,TO ESTABLISH A WRITING ROUTINE AND KEEP AT IT.

L: Where do you get your inspiration?
P: FROM NATURE, FROM MEDITATION, FROM READING, FROM OTHER WRITERS, FROM EXPLORING MY UNCONSCIOUS THROUGH WRITING.

L: What advice would you give young women who aspire to live a Writing life?


P: READ WIDELY, TAKE A VARIETY OF CLASSES, FIND A MENTOR, ESTABLISH A WRITING
ROUTINE AND STICK WITH IT EVEN IF IT'S ONLY ONE HOUR A FEW DAYS A WEEK.

Patricia Dove Miller will be teaching "Gold In a Wild River: A 'Writing Practice' Workshop" as part of Ladyfest Nevada County. For a full workshop schedule, go here.

Patricia is a co-leader of a local Women's Writing Salon, and a member of the Literature Alive Board. She leads creative writing workshops in Nevada City and Grass Valley, and is available for individual editing and coaching. She can be reached at 530-265-5165 and [email protected].