We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ellis Elliott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ellis below.

Ellis , appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

For both writing and ballet, I wanted to learn as much as possible about the craft in order to better serve my students and mainly because of my great love for both areas.

For ballet, I taught in the dance studio I grew up in, then taught at a variety of private studios, as an adjunct-professor at a small college, and in artist-in-residence programs. Eventually I owned and ran my own studio.

These were diverse and fertile learning ground for different kinds of students with different needs. I had been trained in the Cecchetti Method of ballet, which is an internationally-recognized codified progression of learning ballet, and pursued learning in their “teacher grades” as an adult, which requires training and in-person testing. Along the way I went to many workshops and programs to enhance my teaching, as well.

For writing, I didn’t fully allow myself to dive in until I became an older adult and gave myself permission to pursue what had been one of my first loves. Self-permission is one of the many gifts of aging! After that, I dove into workshops and online programs, and read everything I could get my hands on in my favorite genre, which is poetry.

When my kids were grown and life had settled a bit, I went back to grad school to get my MFA in Creative Writing. I knew I finally had the time and means to fully immerse myself in learning as much as I could, hearing and listening to other great writers, and taking in as much as I could. I don’t regret a single minute.

I think curiosity is essential, and a drive to keep on top of my field were essential skills in both areas. I didn’t want to settle for being mediocre. If I was going to do it, I wanted all in.

Obstacles that stood in my way apply to most women, where one is expected to do and be a certain way at various stages of life. Overcoming mom-guilt, and realizing pursuing my own creative fulfillment might teach my children better than being resentful if I didn’t, was a big one. As was allowing myself to start something completely new in my mid-50’s.

Ellis , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I facilitate freewriting groups called “Bewilderness Writing”. This is my fourth year leading these groups online.
Bewilderness Writing uses the technique of freewriting to uncover the fertile wilderness of your creative subconscious, without getting blocked by your inner critic. The community workshops are a supportive method for getting past that inner critic and gaining confidence in your writing practice.

This simple technique helps you to get your thoughts on the page in a safe and sacred space free of judgment. Each session starts with a poetry prompt, followed by 10-12 minutes of writing. Everyone gets to read their piece while others listen. There is no discussion or critique. We’re here for a powerful and intimate writing practice that will help you gain momentum for whatever project is ahead.

Whether you are a journaler, a writer, or are just exploring a writing practice, Bewilderness is a nurturing environment for the beginner to the most experienced to begin, continue, or rediscover their own writing practice.

Our groups are limited to 8 people and are never recorded. We maintain a safe space online to foster an intimate writing community free of judgement or critique.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I believe the arts, and fostering creativity, should be available to all.

Many times there can be an elitist mentality in both the dance and writing world, and my goal is to make writing/ballet accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. For instance, our county has arts schools in middle and high school, open through audition only. If a student cannot afford to go to a private studio, they are left behind. The afterschool program I teach for exists just for those kind of students, allowing them to level the playing field.

I have lead “Bewilderness Writing” groups with formerly homeless women through a local program. Many have so much to say, but not way to say it. Our writing groups allow for any kind of writing, and encourage a free-flow of thoughts. Many times it produces incredible stories that the students themselves are surprised by.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

On the backside of the crafts of writing and ballet can be a certain rigidity in exactly how things should or should not be done.

I have had to recognize how this often can hold me back from true creative expression, and allow myself the freedom to “color outside the lines”. This applies to both teaching both writing and dance, as well as my own writing, ways of teaching dance, and choreography.
It is so much easier to stay in the comfort zone of what you know, but the true magic lies outside of that circle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bewildernesswriting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewildernesswriting
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliselliott2020