Workshops Schedule
The Writer's Quest: Breaking Conventions in Creativity
Saturday & Sunday, June 2 & 3, 9 am to 4 pm
Kim Echlin and Sandra Campbell, instructor
Sandra Campbell and Kim Echlin share their discoveries of alternative ways to think about creativity. Kim will begin with the ancient Sumerian story of Inanna and use it as a model for writing the woman's quest. Sandra will tell the quest of Georgina Stirling from Newfoundland who in 1888 broke with convention to pursue her passions. These stories, as well as examples of contemporary women’s creative work, will be used along with in-class guided writing exercises to offer you a way to develop your voice and writing.
A reader will be provided that includes selections from all the work to be discussed.
Course #: 3759sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Unlocking the Muse: Meditation and Creativity
Friday, June 1, 7–9 pm; Saturday & Sunday, June 2 & 3, 9 am–4:30 pm
Valerie Mason-John, instructor
Unlock your muse and tap into your authentic writer’s voice through the practice of different types of meditation and reflection exercises. Learn how to connect with the creativity of the human mind – and write from this open heart/mind place. We will learn how to use meditation to release writer’s block; write from the heart/mind without censorship and discover how to access our creativity. This will be our basis to write poetry and prose. Knowledge of meditation is not needed, just an openness to sit, reflect and be guided into different meditative journeys to help unleash our inner creativity and free us from writer’s block.
Course #: 3787sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Writing From the Inside Out: A Writing/Discovery Workshop
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 9 am–noon
Sandra Campbell, instructor
Develop a new awareness of the stories that collect inside each of us and the unique dynamics of the body/mind with memory, feelings, images, and the imagination that we can harvest to write stories. In a spirit of relaxation and play Sandra offers exercises that combine easy body stretches to awaken the body with poems and images that unleash memory, the imagination, and spontaneity. Then in-class writing exercises enable participants to discover and write their inside stories. Aspects of the writing craft required for developing character, place and plot are also included.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring an empty notebook.
Course #: 3758sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Crafting the Postcard Story
Monday-Friday, June 4 to 8, 9 am–noon
Jannie Edwards, instructor
You might call postcard story the love child of poetry and prose: a combination of the compressed symbolic charge of a lyric poem with a remarkably wide choice of narrative techniques. Charles Baxter eloquently evokes the “less is more” principle of the postcard story: “Some other world is making its way into these brief, reticent, meticulous stories.” Working in a welcoming, supportive creative environment, participants will engage with a variety of prompts to craft short but intensely powerful “flash fictions.”
Participants will be invited to bring photographs, images and artifacts to use as inspiration for stories. Writers will develop between three to seven postcard stories.
Course #: 3757sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Writing Personal Essays
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 9 am–noon
Shirley A. Serviss, instructor
In personal essays you are the authority on your life. No outlines or footnotes are required, just the ability to reflect on your life experiences. This class will explore the basics of the personal essay and where to find markets. You’ll have an opportunity to write and share your work in a group setting. Inspiration will be provided. This class will appeal to writers of all ages and at all stages of their career who are interested in memoir or creative nonfiction.
Course #: 3176sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Remaking the World Through Creative Nonfiction
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 9 am–noon
Janice Williamson, instructor
Creative nonfiction attends to the real by using literary and storytelling effects that tune your ear to language and voice while drawing on a documentary approach. Through short talks, dialogue, in-class writing, and readings, we'll ask you to refine your subject and write about what matters. We'll also investigate this wide-ranging genre that can include: reportage and testimony, memoir and the journal, biographies and family histories, the lyric or segmented essay, photo or image/text essay, opinion essays and cultural analysis, science and literary journalism, travel and environmental writing.
Be prepared to read aloud from your new work to our supportive class audience focused on constructive critical feedback.
Course #: 3447sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
A Medley of Nonfiction Writing for Children
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 1:30–4:30 pm
Joan Marie Galat, instructors
Explore ways to write children’s nonfiction including alphabet books, historical stories, information books, and more. Expect to take part in creativity, writing, and self-editing exercises. You will write a query letter, begin a nonfiction book proposal, and discover how to build your credentials. There will be opportunities for feedback and learning about the publishing industry. Whether you are an aspiring writer or established author, this medley of nonfiction will expand your range of creative choices and empower you with the tools needed to succeed in this exciting area of writing.
Course #: 3756sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Crafting the Creative: The Fine Art of Fiction
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 1:30–4:30 pm
Margaret Macpherson, instructor
Beginning with the most basic elements of sensory words, rich ideas, and spontaneously composed text sketches, this course is designed to help both emerging and established writers renew and refine their skills in the creative writing process. In a series of composition exercises that build on each other, the elements of fiction — voice, point of view, plot, characters and structure — are explored in a fun, informative workshop style. Students are encouraged but not required to bring a work of short fiction, flash fiction, or a novel fragment to class.
Course #: 3755sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Igniting Fire in the Belly: Prose and Poetry
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 1:30–4:30 pm
Sheri-D Wilson, instructor
Seshat, the Goddess of writing, was known as the 'Mistress of the House of Books'. In this course we will explore Goddess iconography as it relates to personal story and social change. We will tap into the source of the feminine divine as a path into our own memory, story, dream, rhythm, and ultimately our own Goddess Voice and energy. We will work at bringing our untold tales to life through poetry and prose.
Course #: 3751sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Songwriting Essentials
Monday–Friday, June 4 to 8, 1:30–4:30 pm
Althea Cunningham, instructor
Ever wanted to know what goes into making your favourite song? Powerful imagery, accompanied by a simple hook are first steps in the secrets to penning a memorable song. Learn the essentials to songcrafting; lyric writing, melody making, re-writing, genre specific, song structure/ inspiration. Have fun while you write a song and present it to an engaging audience and write a collaborative song with other participants. See what you’ve learned in action with a new song and performance from your instructor.
Course #: 3754sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
The Gambling Poet: A Handful of Poems
Friday, June 8, 7–9 pm; Saturday & Sunday, June 9 & 10, 9 am–4:30 pm
Kath MacLean, instructor
Do you find yourself always writing the same kind of poem? Are you limited by rhyme or ‘free’ verse and want to break out and try something new? Learn the craft of poetry as you explore line and stanza breaks, breath, metaphor and imagery, narrative, as well as various styles of poetry. Through exercises, play and performance, participants will have the opportunity to write various forms of poetry including performance poems in a supportive environment that encourages exploration and experimentation. It’s worth the gamble!
Course #: 3752sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Writing About Place
Friday, June 8, 7–9 pm; Saturday & Sunday, June 9 & 10, 9 am–4:30 pm
Luanne Armstrong, instructor
Use a sense of place to spark and shape your writing. How does filtering writing through a particular sense of place affect the work and what does writing gain in the process? How have writers expressed ideas about travel, or natural and built environments? We will read and discuss place-related writing as well as participate in writing exercises. You will have an opportunity to have your work critiqued by the group. While the emphasis in this seminar will be on producing new work, participants can work with the instructor on revisions. Suitable for emerging writers as well as more experienced ones.
Course #: 3753sp1
Fee: $325* + GST = $341.25
*$285 if registering in more than one course
Writing is Good Medicine
Saturday, June 9, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Reinekke Lengelle, instructor
Research shows that writing can be powerful medicine. The lung function of asthma patients improved significantly when they wrote about the most stressful event of their lives. Those with post-traumatic stress disorder experienced a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression. In this workshop you will learn what makes writing medicine and create medicine for yourself. The day will focus on developing self-trust and intuition through expressive and reflective writing exercises; the approaches are intended to help breakthrough repetitive journal writing habits and renew confidence and joy. No prior writing experience is necessary.
Course #: 3763sp1
Fee: $165 + GST = $173.25