WAN Academy: My Words, My Tongue w/ Chibbi

A bilingual poetry workshop about claiming your voice, your languages, and the stories that live between them.

OVERCOME WRITER’S BLOCK, BECOME A BETTER WRITER & HAVE FUN WITH WRITING AT THE WRITE ABOUT NOW ACADEMY

The Write About Now Academy is a year long schedule of instructor-facilitated virtual writing classes. Every month we are offering writing intensives facilitated by some of the most talented poets from all across the globe. Each master class will focus on a different topic, but will leave you feeling empowered, enlightened, and elevated in your craft. If you can't make it at the scheduled time, register anyway! You will also have access to the recordings and workshop material just in case you miss a class or wish to revisit a class you attended.

THIS MONTH'S WORKSHOP: My Words, My Tongue

Some of us grew up translating for our parents.
Some of us forgot words we once knew.
Some of us mix languages in one sentence and don’t apologize for it.

My Words, My Tongue is a poetry workshop about language as identity: how it shapes us, splits us, saves us, and sometimes betrays us. Using powerful bilingual mentor poems, we’ll explore code-switching, cultural memory, humor, anger, tenderness, and pride. We’ll look at how poets move between languages without asking permission, and how you can too.

You do not have to be fully fluent in more than one language. You don’t have to spell everything perfectly. This workshop is about honoring the language you carry, whether it’s inherited, reclaimed, rusty, mixed up, or still becoming.

Come write in the voice that feels like home. Even if home has more than one tongue.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Chibbi

M.R. “Chibbi” Orduña is a Mexican-born, Texas-raised queer performer, poet, publisher, producer, and community organizer with over 15 years of experience. As the Creative Director of Gem.In.Eyes Productions, Chibbi empowers artists through multi-genre projects. They are the Editor-in-Cheif and Director of Virtual Programming at Write About Now, Director of Media Production at Write Art Out, and Sr. Program Manager for Out in Tech. Their latest book, OTRO/PATRIA (2019) explores the identity intersections of culture and queerness. A three-time San Antonio Poetry Grand Slam Champion, Chibbi has performed nationally and coached teams to top finishes at major slams. Their work, featured in publications like OutSmart and Buzzfeed, has garnered over 2 million views. Chibbi is a recipient of fellowships from Tin House, Lambda Literary, and more, and was the recipient of the 2022 Arts and Letters Award from the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library.

HOW TO ATTEND

A Single Class Pass provides access to an individual class as well as its recording. All classes are free to active, paid monthly Write About Now Members on Facebook, Square or PayPal. For more info on how to become a member, visit www.wanpoetry.com.