June 14,2025 at 11:00 AM at Yocum Institute
Janice E. Rodriguez on Words Overheard: Finding Inspiration in the Mouths of Others
Snatches of other people’s conversation form fertile ground where a creative writer’s imagination can grow lush and strong. In this workshop Rodríguez reads a short story that arose from a stranger’s sidewalk confession, reveals her favorite spots to forage for prompts, answers questions about writing, and leads participants in an exercise using words overheard.
Janice E. Rodríguez grew up with her nose in a book and hasn’t ever taken it out. Shortlisted for the Tillie Olsen Short Story Award and the Chester B. Himes Short Fiction Prize, she has published numerous short stories in online and print journals such as Chautauqua, The Ocotillo Review, The Writing Disorder, and JONAHmagazine. Her upmarket women’s novel, Ruby Moyer’s Pineapple Upside-Down Life—a work born of overheard words—will be published by Pretzel City Press in 2025. Rodríguez moves her paragraphs around the same way she does the perennials in her garden, as if they were furniture. When not writing or gardening, she’s in the kitchen working her way through a stack of cookbooks. Find her online at janiceerodriguez.com.
Janice shared an excerpt that was printed in Chautauqua publication in 2023. Don't forget to ask us for the URL to read it!
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