Inspired by the books they read, looking for a way to relieve stress or wanting to write their life story for future generations, people often want to write, but don’t know where or how to begin. However, a new writing class puts pens and pencils in motion. Writing Your Life as a Woman is a four-week series led by local writer Toni Turbeville. The class meets Thursdays, October 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina. The fee is $100 per person for the four-week session. The class offers gentle motivation and inspiration in a non-academic, creative setting where accepting compliments is required, and spelling doesn't matter. Taught in the style of journal writing workshops, exercises are done in class and shared aloud – leading participants to open up to their stories and voice. Writers of all levels of experience benefit from the workshop, but no writing experience is necessary. Turbeville said, “These classes provide a motivating, positive experience. In future months, I hope to offer similar classes for veterans, teenagers, the elderly and other groups who would benefit from creative expression.” A graduate of The University of South Carolina, Turbeville received her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and has been published in magazines such as Skirt. She worked in public relations for over ten years for non-profit organizations including the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Columbia Marionette Theatre, and was listed on the South Carolina Arts Commission Forty Lists Project as “An Outstanding Arts Administrator or Staff Member.” Writing Your Life founder, Dean Lofton, also offers the classes in Austin, Texas. She has led community writing workshops in the southeast since 1997 – from Elderhostel's "Collecting Your Memories" to the bookstore favorite "Closet Fiction Writer Workshop." Lofton is a freelance writer and publicist with publication credits including Skirt magazine, the Free Times, The Post and Courier and many others. For additional information or registration, visit toniturbeville.com, call 803.917.5395 or write toni@toniturbeville.com.