“But if I write what my soul thinks, then it will be visible and the words will be its body.” - Helen Keller

Elizabeth Potter of Round Pond believes everyone is a writer, that all people have stories to tell and a muse inside them just waiting for the opportunity to emerge.

“We are all writers,” said Potter. “We all have stories and poems in us just waiting to be told. The trick in telling them is to allow yourself to be unhindered and uncensored on the page.”

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a BA in English and a certified Amherst Writers and Artists Institute workshop leader, Potter has been teaching creative writing workshops in the Damariscotta area for the past twelve years. Her poetry has been published in journals and newspapers throughout New England and nationally, and her collection of poetry, T’ai Chi of Leaves, was published by Moon Pie Press in the fall of 2016. She says she feels called to this work, and her reward is in witnessing writers awaken something within they may never have known existed.

With an extensive background in both teaching and social services, Potter says she has worked with people in varying situations, who have discovered freedom through writing. She says being involved in a creative writing workshop is often likened to emancipation for many who have not attempted written expression prior to participation in her classes.

“These workshops can be especially powerful for people who have felt silenced in their lives for whatever reason,” explained Potter. “I give a lot of time and thought to creating both a safe and stimulating environment for the group of individuals who take my classes. My workshops are very process oriented. Many of us were taught in school to sit down and write one perfect sentence after another. In reality, when you ask someone to write something perfect, they freeze.”

Potter feels the most important aspect of being able to write from within is to give yourself permission to do so, then allow the pen to have its way on the page. Participants are invited to share their work, which may be something they have written during the class or at home, but there is never any pressure to do so.

“I encourage people to become comfortable with their own voices, to be comfortable on the page,” explained Potter. “Good writing comes from getting closer and closer to sounding like ourselves, not someone else. The heart of the creative process is in relaxing, having fun, feeling safe.”

When writers do share their work, Potter says other class participants may offer comments in creative ways.

“When responding to something a writer has written, everyone is asked to listen carefully as the piece is being read, then tell the writer what stays with them, what resonates, allowing the writer to understand what sticks, what is strong. There’s plenty of time for the editing process, to go back later into what I call raw material and develop an eye through the group process. People tell me all the time that they are able to write more freely after taking my class. It’s not me; it’s this process that I facilitate. I have spent years working with diverse groups, people from all walks of life,” said Potter. “I’ve found writing prompts that I know again and again will enable people to tap into their psyche, into memories that are important to them. Simple things are used to elicit the writing, and for the writer it can be like seeing something for the very first time. That’s what these workshops have to offer. Tapping into that vein of gold inside of us and allowing it to freely flow out onto the page without fear.”

Those who participate in Potters workshops have been known to travel significant distances to become part of her groups, applaud her teaching methods and credit her for being a genuine asset in their lives.

“Elizabeth Potter is a very good writing instructor,” said Damariscotta resident, Debra Arter. “She cares deeply and it shows each week. She has technical knowledge and passion and knows how to make it work for students of all levels and backgrounds. She handles delicate subject matter with decorum and empowers each pupil to do their best and refine their work. She uses a variety of resources to get new vision from each of us.”

Writer and editor, Janet Pearce Foster of East Boothbay, has this to say about Potter:

“Ms. Potter’s refined personality disguises her tough but solid intellectual capacity. Unwittingly, her students become fiercely loyal to her, their literary psyches recognizing at once the compassion she has for the process, joy and compulsion to write. Ms. Potter is a superb teacher and an exemplary mentor.”

“On a recent Friday, Elizabeth read Naomi Shihab Nye's “Kindness”, and then asked us to write briefly about an emotion and its opposite,” says Zibette Dean of Edgecomb. “Fifteen minutes later we had three very different, strong drafts to share, with laughter and a tear or two.”

Burke Long, a retired professor of Bowdoin College, says, “I have nothing but praise for Elizabeth Potter and her writing workshops. I participated for over a year and found her to be a careful and dedicated reader of my work, affirming of my efforts and very generous with her time. She welcomes everyone, regardless of their level of skill and experience. She encourages individual voices, and does not push abstract standards by which to measure everyone's efforts. She helps us think of ourselves as writers, and she encourages participants to enter the network of other writers in Maine by announcing events and opportunities as they come across her email desk.”

Ronald Conant of Boothbay has participated in Potter’s workshops for over two years.

“Elizabeth is a sensitive and skilled instructor,” he said. “She is comfortable with a wide range of individuals and all students are treated equally. She is positive, offers constructive suggestions and her commitment is obvious.”

Louise Winchenbach of Falmouth says she has matured significantly as an artist due to Potter’s teachings and the uniqueness of her workshops.

“Elizabeth is a very supportive, articulate teacher who has an immense energy for her students and their writing,” said Winchenbach. “It is infectious. In fact, I drive an hour from Portland just to take her class, and have done so for three years. I’ve grown as an artist under her tutelage. Her workshops are structured and organized, enabling all of us a chance to share our work and ideas. There is always a fresh new topic to write about as she introduces other writers whose work guides us through the free writing assignments in class. I’m excited about writing because of Elizabeth Potter, and I strongly recommend her workshops.”

Finally, Mary O’Herin of Belfast says, “Elizabeth chooses wonderful, contemporary, lesser known poets to share for inspiration. The exercises are always strong; it is an effortless engagement in the process. She sets a tone that is neither judgmental nor intimidating, yet feels challenging and stimulating.”

For Potter, teaching creative writing workshops and enhancing the community in this way is the culmination of a dream.

“I love writing and hearing people coming into their own voice, being liberated on the page, telling stories that only they can tell,” she smiles. “To help them discover this, I think it takes someone who is a writer, who practices writing and the process of it in his or her own life and feels driven by it. It’s who I am and it means everything to me. It’s my life’s calling; it’s what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Individuals interested in participating in Potter’s creative writing workshops can register online at clc.maineadulted.org or by calling the Central Lincoln County Adult Ed office at 563-2811. Her first fall workshop begins Wednesday, Aug. 29 at Skidompha Library in Damariscotta from 1-4 p.m. Potter is also happy to answer questions or hear from those interested in her creative writing workshops. She may be contacted directly at: (207) 350-1398 or via email at: potterem@hotmail.com.