DEAD-LINES: A Creative Obituary / Ode Writing Workshop (2-Part: Jun 6 & 13)

The Pre-Dead Social Club will host “DEAD-LINES, a two-part creative obituary/ode writing workshop on June 6 and June 13 from 5:30-7:30pm at Art Up Front Street in Exeter, NH. The workshop will be facilitated by Leslie Pasternack and is offered in partnership with the Seacoast Village Project. 

The two-part, small group, creative writing workshop is for anyone looking to create an obituary or ode worth reading, worth remembering and worth sharing, but who might struggle to get the words down on paper or would welcome the opportunity to write with others. Participants are invited to write their own obituary, an ode to an important person in their life dead or alive, or a tribute to a dearly departed pet. 

“Imagine turning the traditional obit/ode on its ear to communicate what mattered most about that person (or pet!), the impact they had, and the ripple effect they made,” said Laura Cleminson, Founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club. “Our facilitator, Leslie, has a bag of tricks to grease the writing skids for all levels of writers and non-writers alike.” Leslie Pasternack is an award winning playwright, writer and actress who has brought many characters to life on and off the stage and knows the hurdles we go through to communicate the essence of what makes someone or our pet(s) super important to us. She is no stranger to tender subjects having directed the performance and outreach series “Make Sure It’s Me,” a play about traumatic brain injury in the military. Pasternack has spent two decades teaching writing and acting at the college level with another ten plus years leading various theater workshops throughout New England. In addition, she also mentors an incarcerated playwright through the PEN America Center’s Prison Writing Program.

The workshop fee is for $25 for students and seniors and $85 for all others. Space is limited to 12 participants and advanced registration is required.   

The Pre-Dead Social Club

The mission of the Pre-Dead Social Club is to cultivate multi-generational communities interested in having compassionate conversations about death, dying and end-of-life, making it a bit easier, less burdensome, and more tenderhearted long before a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis arises. 

The Pre-Dead Social Club was born because Laura Cleminson, a death doula, believed there are people out there who want to discuss the one thing we all have in common—the fact that we are all going to die, but didn’t know who they can talk to or where to find them.

A great way to get to know the Pre-Dead Social Club community is to join them for “Death Over Drinks: A Die-A-Logue,” a free monthly event, open to all. For upcoming event locations and more information, visit www.thepredeadsocialclub.com. 

About Seacoast Village Project Seacoast Village Project is a network of older adults working together to get connected, get smart and help each other out as they grow older in their homes and communities. Founded in 2018 and based on the national Village Movement model of neighbor-helping-neighbor, Seacoast Village Project is dedicated to making “aging in place” a possibility by supporting the social, educational and practical needs of older adults living independently. Seacoast Village encompasses three areas around Portsmouth, Exeter and Dover, New Hampshire. Seacoast Village Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has offices at Carey Cottage in Portsmouth, NH. For more information, visit www.seacoastvillageproject.org.