Susan Barr-Toman
Susan Barr-Toman is an award-winning novelist and mindfulness and writing teacher. She is the author of Breath by Breath: A Mindful Approach to Memoir Writing, a memoir and guide to using the tools of mindfulness to silence your inner saboteur, meet your creativity, and tell your true stories. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, River Teeth and Brevity Blog, among others. In her Mindful Writing workshops and retreats, she inspires students to create a sacred place in which to open to their creativity without fear or judgment and with kindness. She is an affiliated faculty member with the Penn Program for Mindfulness in Philadelphia and holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars.
Visit her at www.susanbarrtoman.com.
Student Feedback for Susan
Susan was a very thoughtful mentor. She offered feedback that was thought-provoking, and allowed me to continue to refine my work in meaningful ways. I took away real tools for making writing a daily habit, and feel stronger for it having reached the end of the course. Kimble Luu
Fabulous! Hands down the best online writing course I’ve had the opportunity in which to participate. Susan is an excellent facilitator, leading the course and mindful meditations. Her brilliant and gentle style allows for a safe and creative environment. The course design had excellent presentations, writing prompts and interactive feedback during the face to face weekly zoom. Clearly she is a reflection of mindfulness and the importance it brings to the writer. Loved this course! Cynthia Slack
I love Susan’s classes! I have gained a sound foundation in the combination of meditation and writing. Workshops afford a unique broadening of perspective as I glimpse bits of life through the stories my classmates choose to write and to share. Susan effortlessly creates an inclusive and inspiring online classroom that feels like a weekly bit of normalcy and connection in this disaggregated time. Amy L.
Susan’s writing classes (I’ve enrolled in several) have been transformational. I hadn’t been able to write regularly or successfully for years, and Susan’s deep knowledge of literature–and her experience with both the craft of writing and the practical details of the publishing world–have been incredibly helpful and inspiring. Thanks to her course, and the supportive community it has created, I now have a regular writing practice, and have even submitted some pieces for publication, with more planned for the future. Catherine W.
Susan was a fantastic facilitator. Her guided meditations were wonderful: spacious, open with brief and poignant guidance introduced throughout. Her ability to adapt to the group was impeccable. Her humor and quick wit added a lightness to the group and softened the glow of vulnerable sharing of personal writings. Her attention to the group as a whole was on point throughout. Mara W.
