Sharing the Right to Write

Luanne Brown has been telling stories all her life. A writer and journalist for more than 30 years, Brown knew at a young age that writing would be a lifelong passion. 

“When I was 11 years old, I sat myself down in a chair and had a chat with myself about several things I wanted to do in my life,” Brown said, laughing. “I wanted to be a writer, I wanted to live in Egypt, and I wanted to have red hair!”

According to the writer, all of the items on her list have been checked off. She also spent a stint in Egypt in her 20s. As for the red hair, it made a brief appearance when Brown was in her 40s. 

“My life was inspired by the stories I read,” Brown explained. “The red hair was from Anne of Green Gables, and being a writer I got from Jo from Little Women.”

Living in Egypt was a dream inspired by another favorite childhood book called Mara, Daughter of the Nile. When her husband was sent to Alexandria for work, Brown and her young daughter came along, and she was able to get a job as a freelance journalist. Another dream fulfilled. Inspired by traditional local carpet weavers, Brown enlisted a friend who spoke Arabic, and they travelled around the country collecting stories for a book she published through the American University Cairo Press. According to Brown, her book records “the first and last oral history of Egyptian carpet making.”

Once back in the States, the international journalist decided to share her love of writing, and help those who had a passion for the pen. She has taught many different courses over the years, including screenwriting classes at The Art Institute, but until the beginning-writing course she taught last month, Brown had been absent from the classroom for quite a few years. Aside from a love of writing, the impetus for teaching this summer’s course sprang partly out of a personal tragedy. 

“My husband had a heart attack a few months ago and it brought everything into focus,” Brown recalled. “It made me realize that life is very precious; we can’t take things for granted. It just really put me back in touch with my desire to teach.” Thankfully, her husband is doing fine, and on his way to a speedy recovery. 

Last month’s beginning writing course was a success, and as a result Brown decided to teach the eight-week workshop starting this week, entitled “Fan Your Creative Flames.” The workshop is open to writers of all abilities who wish to hone their skills, or really dig into a larger project such as a novel or memoir. 

“Luanne is a great teacher,” wrote Olive Gaitan in an email. Gaitan, a member of the Blackfeet tribe, is one of Brown’s students. She is also signed up for the eight-week summer course. “She inspired me to get started again even though I've had problems with writer's block lately. She's confident and makes me excited about my writing. She's incredibly supportive and gives criticism in a kind and helpful way.”

Another local writer, Gene Ayres, hasn’t been a student of Brown’s, but has used her as an editor for his latest book, a literary mystery novel that was published in six languages. Ayres was struggling to find an English-language publisher, but couldn’t understand why it was such a difficult process.

“A major New York agent had been sitting on the fence for more than a year with this book, sensing that something was wrong, but was unable or unwilling to articulate what it was or how to solve it,” Ayres commented. “Luanne, whom I had gotten to know through writer's circles, offered to read it as an editor, and demonstrated a remarkable ability to get to the heart of the matter, as it were. Her comments and suggestions were sufficient for me to see the problem, solve it, and send off a new version, which the agent read on a transatlantic flight, accepted immediately and is now representing.” 

Brown will share her skills in writing and editing in the workshop that starts this Thursday. It will be held in the evenings, at Browns Coffee, in Shoreline, a coffeehouse owned by her brother. The café will be closed during workshop hours, so Brown and her students will have the place to themselves. Participants need not worry about a lack of caffeine; a barista will be on hand to make mochas and lattes, courtesy of Brown.

But coffee and great editing aren’t the only things Brown has to offer her class.

“I believe that anyone can learn to write, and everybody has the right to write,” she declared. “If you have an idea to express you have the right to do that, but it does take practice. There are a lot of rocky shoals for beginning writers and I like to help people navigate the difficult waters. I try to help writers get in touch with what’s important about what they think. You have to be the arbiter of what you say and if I fill you with confidence about what you’re saying, then in a sense it doesn’t really matter what other people say, and it really frees you up to just put your work out there and see what happens.”

The cost of the course is $499, and potential students can call or email Luanne Brown about payment plans and options. Registration is open through July 7.Email Luanne.brown@gmail.com or call 206-931-4411 for more information.