A writing workshop on sexual shame, desire and the power of storytelling
I invite participants to explore, through writing, one of the most powerful emotions in our lives: shame, particularly sexual shame.
Ausgehend von meinem Roman „Schöne Scham“ Drawing on my novel "Schöne Scham" ("Beautiful Shame") and my upcoming non-fiction book, in which I explore desire, vaginismus, and societal expectations through my own story, I create a safe space where writing can be experienced as a tool for self-empowerment.
In my novel, I incorporated detailed sex scenes into the plot for the first time—deliberately not smooth or choreographed, but vivid, contradictory, and sometimes embarrassing. I am convinced that anyone who writes about sexuality bears a responsibility. Many readers look to texts for guidance, for an answer to the quiet, weighty question: "Am I normal?"
The workshop combines personal prompts with concrete writing exercises. It's not about provocation, but about honesty. Not about pornography, but about perspective. Not about perfection, but about intimacy.
Content & Schedule (60–90 minutes):
- Short personal introduction: Writing between shame and desire
- Prompt: How do I get started writing?
What characterizes writing about sex and shame? - Guided writing exercises
- "A letter to my younger self" – Reflecting on desire, longing and self-image
- Erotic fiction – Vertraute Figuren in neue intime Kontexte versetzen
- Sex without body – Prologue and epilogue instead of the ‘main act’
- The S-Word – Writing about sex without mentioning it directly
- Dialogue exercise using WANT & NEED
The exercises allow for different approaches—from autobiographical to fictional, from explicit to metaphorical. Each person decides for themselves how far they want to go. Texts do not have to be read aloud.
Target audience: Anyone interested in writing, readers, creative types, and people who want to explore desire, shame and intimacy, regardless of prior experience.
Framework:
- Duration: 60–90 minutes
- Group size: 20–30 people
- Space: a closed, sheltered room (a relaxed, informal atmosphere is encouraged; a circle of chairs or a casual seating arrangement)
- You will need:
- Seating for 20–30 people
- Tables or desk pads
- Schreibutensilien (Papier, Stifte)
This workshop is intended as an invitation: writing can relieve pressure, open up new perspectives and reveal desires that lie beyond conventional expectations. Intimacy begins where perfection ends, and that is precisely where this course comes in.
A little about myself:
My name is Bianca Nawrath, An author and actress with Polish roots. Born in Berlin in 1997, I first appeared on camera at the age of 14 as the presenter of a youth programme. I made my acting debut in 2018. Since then, I have appeared alongside Judi Dench, Jürgen Vogel and Christian Ulmen, among others. My first novel, *Eat This Now, If You Love Me*, was published by Ecco Verlag in 2021, and most recently *Beautiful Shame* (2023) by Frankfurter Verlagsanstalt.
More about me and my thoughts on shame: