Neuroqueering Your Practice

"Neuroqueering (is) the practice of queering (subverting, defying, disrupting, liberating oneself from) neuronormativity and heteronormativity simultaneously."

Do you ever feel like the reality of your writing practice doesn't match up with your expectations for yourself? Do you give yourself a hard time for not writing enough, or not writing the 'right' way or the 'right' things? Do you often feel like you 'fail' to achieve your writing goals, or that there are certain practices you 'should' be doing in order to call yourself 'a writer'?

It turns out, much of the unlearning and reframing that Neurodivergent creatives  have to do, in order to create practices  that actually work for them, is not specific to Neurodivergent people. Really, these practices are about deconstructing deep-seated capitalist, ableist, and colonialist expectations that impact all of us in ways that inhibit our innate ability to express ourselves creatively.

Over four sessions of two hours each, through a range of exercises, reading, and discussion, we will attempt to decontruct both the internal and external expectations imposed on us by neuronormativity, heteronormativity, capitalism and colonialism. We will redefine concepts like time, success, craft and consistency, in ways that will allow us to embrace the act of writing as worthwhile and necessary, regardless of where it goes or what it becomes (or doesn't). 

"...Regardless of what gender, sexual orientation, or style of neurocognitive functioning they may have been born with..." anyone can benefit from engaging in Neuroqueering practices.

NEUROQUEER: AN INTRODUCTION

by Nick Walker, PhD

*This course is a version of Writing While Neurodivergent, restructured to be applicable to all writers, regardless of whether or not they identify as Neurodivergent. 

Whether you're an experienced writer or a complete novice, and no matter what kind of writing you do - this course will get you thinking differently about your writing and yourself as a writer.

These four session Crash Courses allow intensive focus on particular areas of creative writing, without the financial or time commitments required of more traditional, longer courses, and university degree programmes. ​

All courses are built to allow individual participants to choose their level of engagement based on the amount of time and energy they have to devote to the materials.

Session 1 -  What is a Writing Practice?

Session 2 - What is Success?

Session 3 - What is Craft?

Session 4 - What is Reality?

One session a week

Four Tuesdays

Apr 23rd - May 14th 2024

6-8pm UK time

via Zoom

There will be one free scholarship place available as standard. This is available on a first come, first served basis with no requirment to disclose financial or personal information.

Please note that sessions will be recorded and shared with ticket holders, along with all course materials. Therefore you do not need to be able to attend all (or any) of the sessions live, in order to sign-up. Refunds will be considered on a case by case basis, but as above, if you are unable to attend live, you will still have access to the sessions.

All courses aim to be neurodivergent and disabled centred.

As standard:

-Sessions include live closed captioning

-Sessions are recorded and shared with course members

-All slideshow and reading materials shared directly with members

-All exercise instructions are written out and given verbally

-No pressure to use mics or cameras - students can choose to use the chat function to communicate with the group

-No pressure to share work. There will be an optional hour long session at the end of the course for sharing and workshopping written work.

-All sessions will have a mid point break, but students are encouraged to eat, drink, stim, move about the room, and take breaks as needed.

-Attendees will be given an opportunity to share any specific access needs as well as suggestions for improving accessibility overall.

For more about KR, please visit krmoorhead.com/about-kr