THE CALL TO WRITE Dreams, visions, revelations and zany happenings make us expert in interpreting life in our writings. Participants will have the opportunity to write, share, and delve into the process of writing through Duarte’s own proven, four-step method. Join in this exhilarating experience!
MATTERS OF THE HEART Your internal world has themes to write, stories to tell, and the truth to uncover. Your “heart” is who you are, your thoughts, desires, memories, and the things that make up your invisible world. Experience the “heart” of who you are through an in-depth look into the art of creative, short-story writing.
REAL WRITING Writing is a process of making connections. Nothing is too absurd when you brainstorm your way into a story. Knowing where you come from, who you are, and where you might end up, will give you power over your writing, and a new landscape of creative energy. A humorous, delightful look into what makes writing real.
ETCHED IN STONE Early cave dwellers etched pictures and symbols into stone to tell their stories. Modern people have created the short story to tell their tales. In this workshop, Duarte shares the tricks of the trade in writing stories that are etched in the hearts of those who write them, and those who cherish their messages.
CREATING WRITING LITERACY (Educators) Through the use of storytelling, reading aloud, and writing poetry and short stories, Duarte explores ways to discover personal history and share with others one’s own unique cultural heritage. Participants will learn the process of channeling creative energy and how to use this knowledge to guide students in the writing process.
DRAWING DOWN THE MUSE An interactive workshop for the bold and brave which taps images, memories, and dreams abiding in the landscape of one’s own internal world. First memories will be sketched, and “closeted spaces” will be explored. Participants will create a “Shape of Life” drawing, and share, through writing, the mystical journey of life,
SHORT DAYS, LONG NIGHTS AND REWRITES In a magical burst of creative energy, participants will be treated to a panoramic view of the writing process. In her own indomitable style, Duarte draws on story, humor, memoir, and tall tales to boldly breathe life into the maddening world of words.
EXPLORING THE LANDSCAPE OF THE HISTORICAL NOVEL The challenge of documenting, interviewing, visiting related sites, and delving into the historical roots of a story is a unique experience, timeless, and inspiring. In this workshop, Duarte, shares ideas for creating novels that document historical facts while offering readers a fresh, new perspectives on place, characters and plot. In Duarte's own words, "The historical novel is truth told from the heart."
SURFACING FOR AIR: Staying on Top of Your Work Surface to the top of your work, and survey the places you have visited without moving an inch from your computer. In this workshop, Duate, shares hard-won secrets on how to catch your breath, and stay on top of the writing game. Mark your victories, create new visions for the future, and breathe new life into your work, as you embrace the impossible with a view from the TOP!
YOUTH
READING OPENS DOORS Thousands of students have shared the joy of writing, and storytelling by joining in the hilarious mishaps of the “Lupita Stories,” as Stella Pope Duarte re-creates child-hood memories of her little sister, and their life in la Sonorita Barrio. Students learn what it means to be a writer, as they are entertained by stories of “The Walking Dolls,” “El Huevo,” “Chorizo,” and many other zany tales. “Everything beautiful is already within you,” is Duarte’s slogan, as she encourages young writers to bloom.
IT’S RIGHT THERE: Harnessing the Power of You “It’s right there what you have to do next,” were words revealed to Duarte in a dream of her father in 1995. The words led her to realize that her destiny was to become a writer. She now shares her father’s advice with youth, in an inspirational presentation, that challenges youth to empowerment by: (1) discovering who they are, (2) learning to choose what’s good for them, (3) NOT playing the blaming game, (4) sifting through weaknesses to find their strengths, and (5) harnessing personal power to harvest success.
THE INVERTED PYRAMID OF LEADERSHIP What does it take to be a leader? How do we prepare? In this motivational presentation Stella Pope Duarte describes the characteristics of true leadership as a transformational process that builds from the bottom up. A true leader is one who serves the rest, expecting little for self, and making great strides for others. True leadership takes the form of an inverted pyramid, with the leader at the base, and the success of those served as the measure of effective leadership.
UNITY AND STRENGTH THROUGH POWER, KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATION Unity is the foundation of all we hold dear, yet envy, fear and machismo strike at the heart of the Latino community. This dynamic presentation will explore ways to make a turn-around, and use our rich, cultural heritage to inspire, teach, and educate ourselves, as we cultivate a new history, and a new generation of bold, fearless leaders.
TOADS AND DIAMONDS: CREATING DYNAMIC CONNECTIONS IN WRITING Connections are everywhere in our daily life, sometimes they make sense, sometimes it takes a lifetime to decipher their meanings. The Fairy Tale, Toads and Diamonds, written in the 16oo's by French author, Charles Perrault, is the springboard in this workshop for helping young writers create connections in stories and poetry that are creative and one-of-a-kind. How do mashed potatoes connect with a teddy bear? How does a lost shoe connect with a 747 Boeing airplane? How does a tube of lipstick connect with the ocean? The more creative the connections, the more effectively they can be used to create unforgettable poetry and prose.
WHAT LA LLORONA KNEW This unique workshop offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the official ghost of Mexican/Latino history, La Llorona (The Weeping Woman). At the heart of Duarte’s work, La Llorona, inspired her first short story in Fragile Night, and a life-long exploration into La Llorona’s dark tale. Secrets learned from this Latina boogey-woman will amaze participants, and create a new and lasting friendship with the “ghost who never gave up on herself.”
PEOPLE OF THE FIFTH SUN: Understanding los Mestizos in America Los Mestizos have been known as la Gente del Quinto Sol, (People of the Fifth Sun), la Gente de Razón, (The People of Reason), Mexicas, and the Heron people. A mixture of Spanish and Indian blood, los Mestizos were created during the conquest of Mexico, and the destruction of the 300 year-old empire of the Aztec Nation. Eventually, los Mestizos migrated north again in search of Aztlán, and became the modern-day Chicanos (Xicanos). This presentation traces the history, culture and dynamics of los Mestizos.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY: Beyond Stereotypes Every culture is equipped with the ability to achieve wholeness. Cultures are not better or worse, only different. To know and understand your own culture is the bridge to understanding the culture of others. This workshop is an eye-opener to the world of cultural diversity and acceptance, challenging participants with activities that focus on letting go of racist attitudes, and stereotypes that cause division and disunity in the global community.
CULTIVATING LANGUAGE DIVERSITY & EDUCATIONAL EQUITY As a life-long educator, Duarte, explores the impact of our educational system on second-language learners. Her experience as a second-language learner, in an era of prejudice against languages other than English, have led her to reflect on the humiliation of second-language learners in her memories of the “Cave Man Row.” This is a thought-provoking, intense presentation that prompts responses, questions, and solutions from participants.
BENITO JUAREZ AND CINCO DE MAYO Benito Juárez was a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln, and the first person of Indian ancestry to ever be elected as president of a modern nation. As a revolutionary in Mexico, Juárez was responsible for establishing many of the current democratic practices of Mexico. This presentation introduces participants to an historical account of the rich heritage left to the world-community by a humble, Zapotec Indian who aspired to be president.
HE WALKED AMONG HIS PEOPLE In his fight for equality, and justice, Cesar Estrada Chavez won the hearts of hard-working migrant farm workers, and the respect of the world. An inspiration for Latinos everywhere, Cesar Estrada Chavez lives on in the struggle against class prejudice, and deadly, inhumane practices that humiliate and murder the soul. Duarte shares her reflections on this unforgettable hero, reciting her inspirational poem, “There is a Place for You in America.”
LA MALINCHE, LA LLORONA, and LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE: Exploring Feminine Archetypes in Chicano History A woman's heart beats through the history of the ancient Xicanos, telling the tale of a mother's wounded heart as she searches for her children wearing many disguises. How has her story shaped the history of a nation? In this workshop, participants will encounter La Malinche, La Llorona, and La Virgen de Guadalupe, women who marked the end of an ancient world, and the beginning of a new and mysterious era.
CORAZON DEL NOPAL: The Power and Heart of Los Chicanos From the ancient ruins of the three-hundred-year-old Aztec empire, a new nation rose in the midst of treachery, oppression and unrelenting war. Comets, prophecies and smoking mirrors signaled their birth as they founded Tenochitlan (Mexico City), and eventually journeyed north from the Valley of Mexico to take their place in the making of America. A riveting talk on the legacy of the modern-day Chicanos.
TENDING THE FLAME I: Writing Through Revelations, Visions and Dreams How do revelations, visions, and dreams affect us on a daily basis? Duarte traces her own work inspired by the dream of her father in 1995, advising her of her destiny as a writer, and subsequent revelations shared by her mother on the internal, invisible, world more powerful than the external, physical one. What is the “flame” entrusted to each of us? And how do we rise within to conquer even our worst fears? Insights gained in this presentation will last a life-time.
TENDING THE FLAME II: Ten Secrets to Healing the Inner You A continuation of Part I, this workshop delves deeper into the characteristics that make us greater human beings, rather than lesser human beings. What elevates us? What destroys our progress? Beginning with Secret #1, “Pray for your own discovery,” (Thomas Merton), Duarte challenges participants to look closely at the markers of success that trigger bigger things. The process of becoming is the goal of humankind.
THE WOMEN OF JUAREZ The “crime of the century,” is happening just outside our borders in Ciudad Juárez, sister city of El Paso, Texas. Duarte’s three-year research into the over 400 murders of young women committed in that city over the past decade, has prompted her to write an historical novel, If I Die in Juárez, and commit herself to establishing rights for oppressed women everywhere, victims of ruthless murderers, callous laws, and globalization that threatens the fabric of life on earth. This presentation presents a clear call for justice and the end of the Juárez femicides.
IF YOU COME TO TERMS WITH THE DARK PARTS OF WHO YOU ARE YOU WON’T HAVE TO MARRY THEM “The things you cherish most are at the mercy of the things you cherish least.” (William James). Recognizing the parts of who we are leads to the development of a healthy attitude towards self and others. Through sharing the “aha,” “ijuela,” experiences of her characters in FRAGILE NIGHT, Duarte reveals what it means to respond to the truth of who we are, and avoid the ambush of the secret, hidden self.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES One of our tasks on earth is to learn to choose what’s good for us. Choosing, involves a deep connection with self, and a hope in goodness and love. Obstacles such as unbridled emotions, fears, doubts, remorse, and selfishness are at the center of what it means to “trip on our own shoelaces.” Whatever we have the courage to confront, will have no more power over us. This presentation, centered on LET THEIR SPIRITS DANCE, encourages participants to embrace a new and dynamic sense of self and purpose.
WOMEN WHO LIVE IN COFFEE SHOPS This presentation offers participants a unique opportunity to explore places where women live, work, hide, love and grow in our society. Presented in a humorous, insightful manner, this workshop challenges participants to carve out a place of their own, where they will hear the singular voice from within, the true “I.” Surprises and cries of recognition will follow.
WHAT AMERICA DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT FREEDOM Mainstream freedom isn’t everybody’s freedom. In this presentation, Duarte connects the work of two great American leaders; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Cesar Estrada Chavez. The “freedom” of the rich and corrupt, destroys the “freedom” of the poor and oppressed. How can America know real freedom, when it faces unresolved moral issues, and the constant cry of materialism? This highly provocative presentation encourages participants to dream of a day when freedom will be equally accessible to all, Americans.
THE PEN IS MIGHTER THAN THE SWORD What does it mean to tell a story? Everyone writes the story of their lives each day. Creating and recreating who we are, we possess both a physical purpose and a soul purpose. For a powerful story to be told, someone must be ready to tell it, and someone must be ready to listen. Participants will be inspired to delve into the stories of their lives, developing a new identity with themselves as storytellers, mightier than the sword.