A Published Author
Nita Sweeney has written professionally since 1984 and has published articles and essays in magazines and journals including Dog World, Dog Fancy, Writer’s Journal, Country Living, Pitkin Review and in several newspapers and newsletters. She has also contributed to books such as Buddhist America. She publishes a monthly e-newsletter, Write Now Newsletter, which features a short essay, a schedule of her classes and lists many other central Ohio writing events.
Study and Work with Natalie Goldberg
Nita studies with and assists Natalie Goldberg, well-known author of ten books including the best-selling Writing Down the Bones. Nita has done “writing practice,” Goldberg’s method of tapping into the creative mind, since 1988 and has attended more than twenty, week-long workshops and retreats in Taos, New Mexico with Goldberg. At the workshops, Nita teaches the basics of “writing practice” to the group of 60 participants, and leads writing exercises, meditation and reading practice groups. Nita and her husband Ed lived in Taos for three years. Nita continues to study closely with Goldberg via phone and e-mail and returns to Taos several times each year to attend Goldberg’s retreats and workshops.
“Official” Credentials
Nita received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from the E.W. Scripps school of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She majored in Magazine Feature Writing and Womens’ Studies. Nita received a law degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus. She is currently attending Goddard College’s low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program and expects to receive her degree in 2008.
Writing Instruction Experience
Nita started her first writing practice group in 1996 at Stauf’s Coffee Roasters in Grandview, Ohio the day she returned from her first Goldberg workshop. After moving to Taos, she led a twice-weekly writing practice group which met for two years. Nita also led Goldberg’s weekly writing and meditation group in Taos for five months of 1999 during Goldberg’s absence.
In 2000 Nita (with husband and two dogs) moved back to her home state of Ohio and began teaching in Goldberg’s tradition at Ohio State University’s Creative Activities Program. Sweeney currently teaches at Upper Arlington’s Lifelong Learning and Leisure Program, at the Easton Barnes & Noble and other venues. She has taught at Columbus Writer’s Conference, Maumee Valley Writer’s Conference, In the Company of Women Writing Retreat, Columbus Fiction Writers Group, the Writers’ Bloc, Writer’s Ink, the Sunbury Library Writing Group, The Highlands Sanctuary, The Zen Writing Group in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Columbus Comprehensive Health Center and the Witty Women’s Writer’s Club. She also coaches individual students.
Meditation Experience
Nita has meditated regularly and attended silent meditation retreats since 1991. She and her husband were co-founders of Mindfulness Meditation of Columbus, a regular sitting group. Nita brings a spirit of mindfulness to her writing classes.
Corporate Trainer and Lawyer
As a corporate, employment and family law attorney, Nita, esq. conducted training seminars, spoke publicly, and made presentations to groups of up to 300. She wrote zillions of personnel policy manuals, job descriptions, training booklets, articles and legal documents while doing her best not to sound like a lawyer.
After 10 years of legal practice, Nita turned in her shingle for a fast writing pen. She is still eagerly available for workshops and public speaking so long as the attendees promise not to ask legal questions. She has forgotten all the answers.
