THINGS I LOVE:
Writing, encouraging and mentoring others, conversation and reclaiming my voice and story through all of the above.
I’d love to share what I’ve learned through decades of writing, healing, listening and pursuing safety in my whole life, including my creative one. I believe that each of us has a unique and powerful story to tell and for the past 5 years I’ve been lucky enough to use the Where I’m From prompt inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem to listen to almost 250 original Where I’m From poems from people for every walk of life. The experience has more than validated my belief that our stories are absolutely essential; it's helped me find joy, community and purpose.
Let’s tell your story!
How I will help:
1. I will create a safe space. Everyone is welcome. Any level. Any age. Any identity. You do not have to consider yourself a writer. Join me! Let’s begin.
2. Let’s find a way back to the early place in each of us where joy and creativity reside.
3. I will help you reach your creative goals, with care, whatever they may be.
I’d love to share what I’ve learned through decades of writing, healing, listening and pursuing safety in my whole life, including my creative one. I believe that each of us has a unique and powerful story to tell and for the past 5 years I’ve been lucky enough to use the Where I’m From prompt inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem to listen to almost 250 original Where I’m From poems from people for every walk of life. The experience has more than validated my belief that our stories are absolutely essential; it's helped me find joy, community and purpose.
Let’s tell your story!
How I will help:
1. I will create a safe space. Everyone is welcome. Any level. Any age. Any identity. You do not have to consider yourself a writer. Join me! Let’s begin.
2. Let’s find a way back to the early place in each of us where joy and creativity reside.
3. I will help you reach your creative goals, with care, whatever they may be.
Currently I'm accepting one on one clients and beginning a 6 week writing circle in late Summer/Early Fall.
Details on the circle:
6 weeks long with weekly hour long zoom calls
Each call we will start with close reading of a text and a prompt inspired by that text. There will be sharing, not required but encouraged, and a return to our own writing project with the insight we’ve gathered from the first half of the zoom.
The goal of the circle is to twofold:
* to reconnect to our creative selves but stepping away from systems that successfully operate on our silence.
* to forge connection and community with our own stories and each other.
Oh and it’s also going to be fun!
I bring decades of experience bringing projects to fruition. I have independently produced, along with brilliant partners, a feature film, multiple short films, four issues of a comic, a podcast, and a book! I’ve gathered, shepherded, and edited essays into an anthology. I strongly believe in the power of creation and also understand how a person can feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by the size of their dreams. I’m skilled at finding the next step and taking it. I can help you do the same.
I’m happy to provide a free 15 minute consultation to see if we’d like to work together and what that would look like.
If you’d like to discuss further, please email me at: [email protected]
Pricing info:
One on one sessions ($90 US/hour)
Editing ($80 US/hour) for projects under word 10,000 for longer projects, let’s discuss
Circle $120 US for 6 One hour sessions
TESTIMONIALS
"I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with Alyson on a series of comic books, a short film, and a feature film. Her ability to thoughtfully and seamlessly work between several storytelling medium while honing and supporting her own voice is a rare and true gift. Collaboration at its best is when thoughtful conversations allow us the space to create the worlds that we can share with others. I believe that working with Alyson has made me a better storyteller and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her on many more projects to come! If you have the opportunity to spend time with her in a creative capacity, it will be time well spent.
- Jessica Petelle (film director and producer)
"Alyson is a thoughtful editor with a keen eye for discerning both what's working and what needs work in an essay or manuscript. As a writer, editor, and creative partner, she's daring, creative, gifted, expansive, and hardworking. And she has a rare ability to hold space for others, regardless of where they're at." -Lynn L. Shattuck (writer, editor and coach)
"Alyson has a way of listening that helps identify the subtext of what someone is trying to express or reach for- she is a keen observer of people and what is at the root of their writing challenges. She is empathetic and encouraging, but more than that she is empowering of people around her or that she is working with to do their best work. She asks great questions without judgment that often lead to breakthrough creative moments." - Jen Prince (film producer)
"Alyson is insightful, kind, and invested in both your story and your work. She finds a way to the heart of the matter, leaving you feeling encouraged, valued, and seen. I have been fortunate enough to work with Alyson in many different capacities and seen her skills and joyful energy across all of her projects. When collaborating, she offers up organizational skills with a get it done spirit, as well a potent creative well. I’ve also been fortunate to be led by Alyson in her group work around narrative medicine. There I saw her focus the group in exploring their stories with a tenderness that drew out a range of experiences and emotions all the way from playfulness to sadness." - Kim Rowe (client)
Details on the circle:
6 weeks long with weekly hour long zoom calls
Each call we will start with close reading of a text and a prompt inspired by that text. There will be sharing, not required but encouraged, and a return to our own writing project with the insight we’ve gathered from the first half of the zoom.
The goal of the circle is to twofold:
* to reconnect to our creative selves but stepping away from systems that successfully operate on our silence.
* to forge connection and community with our own stories and each other.
Oh and it’s also going to be fun!
I bring decades of experience bringing projects to fruition. I have independently produced, along with brilliant partners, a feature film, multiple short films, four issues of a comic, a podcast, and a book! I’ve gathered, shepherded, and edited essays into an anthology. I strongly believe in the power of creation and also understand how a person can feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by the size of their dreams. I’m skilled at finding the next step and taking it. I can help you do the same.
I’m happy to provide a free 15 minute consultation to see if we’d like to work together and what that would look like.
If you’d like to discuss further, please email me at: [email protected]
Pricing info:
One on one sessions ($90 US/hour)
Editing ($80 US/hour) for projects under word 10,000 for longer projects, let’s discuss
Circle $120 US for 6 One hour sessions
TESTIMONIALS
"I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with Alyson on a series of comic books, a short film, and a feature film. Her ability to thoughtfully and seamlessly work between several storytelling medium while honing and supporting her own voice is a rare and true gift. Collaboration at its best is when thoughtful conversations allow us the space to create the worlds that we can share with others. I believe that working with Alyson has made me a better storyteller and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her on many more projects to come! If you have the opportunity to spend time with her in a creative capacity, it will be time well spent.
- Jessica Petelle (film director and producer)
"Alyson is a thoughtful editor with a keen eye for discerning both what's working and what needs work in an essay or manuscript. As a writer, editor, and creative partner, she's daring, creative, gifted, expansive, and hardworking. And she has a rare ability to hold space for others, regardless of where they're at." -Lynn L. Shattuck (writer, editor and coach)
"Alyson has a way of listening that helps identify the subtext of what someone is trying to express or reach for- she is a keen observer of people and what is at the root of their writing challenges. She is empathetic and encouraging, but more than that she is empowering of people around her or that she is working with to do their best work. She asks great questions without judgment that often lead to breakthrough creative moments." - Jen Prince (film producer)
"Alyson is insightful, kind, and invested in both your story and your work. She finds a way to the heart of the matter, leaving you feeling encouraged, valued, and seen. I have been fortunate enough to work with Alyson in many different capacities and seen her skills and joyful energy across all of her projects. When collaborating, she offers up organizational skills with a get it done spirit, as well a potent creative well. I’ve also been fortunate to be led by Alyson in her group work around narrative medicine. There I saw her focus the group in exploring their stories with a tenderness that drew out a range of experiences and emotions all the way from playfulness to sadness." - Kim Rowe (client)