Writing News Letter April to June 2005

Dear writers

So the mad March hare has flashed by, tugging Summer behind it. Like Chaucer’s pilgrims in Canterbury Tales, those of us in the Cape are hoping that “the April showers will pierce the drought of March to the root.”

I think of the richness you bring to writing in the stories you share with me.

Over the weekend 19-21 March Lesheba mists in the Soutspansberg inspired a small group of writers who produced words that sang its energy. I wrote a poem, beginning

in such a mist

myths slide into origins,

to the chaos before creation

where sky, water, land

swirl as one.

clouds root, trees shake rain

and mountain shifts its shape.

I came across this in my recent reading:

“Imaginal knowing, the only way that the unconscious can move into consciousness, happens through fantasy, through dreams, through symbols… and through well-told stories. It happens through poetry… the words that create the image that in turn creates a new awareness - that is in us already.” (Richard Rohr)

Apart from the private workshops, this April I’ll be working at St Mary’s in Kloof, Durban and facilitating story-telling for a bank. Also a men’s writing retreat, Zen Men Breath and Words, (with Bob Commin) at the Buddhist Retreat Centre at Ixopo, Natal (6-8 May).

And a winter story telling event:

On Sat. night 13 Aug. in Cape Town, I will be hosting Brazilian born story- teller, Antonia Rocha. He writes “I am a full time teller with a mime and movement style… I am always on the road…. I would love to connect with the storytelling community in your area, even perform…. Please visit me at http://home.maine.rr.com/rocha.” Generous Antonio will donate takings to a Cape charity. So tell me why a charity you support needs these takings. The most moving letter, as judged by yours truly, gets it. Antonio is also keen to work in a needy school. And I need a donated venue to take some 30 folk. Ideas?

Here are April to June workshops – in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Still Bay. I’m introducing mini workshops (3 hours) too in response to a request. Details flyers are available from me and will also be on my site in early April. I’m grateful to those who pass on the letter to friends who talk of a passion for writing.

Unsubscribe if you need to. And please let me know if you are receiving a double email tot on the writing rocks.

Fuller details elsewhere on the site

Johannesburg

Writing Yourself Alive (Sat 16 April 3-6 p.m. R200)

This mini-workshop is about getting in touch with the writer inside you. We explore our creativity and imagination and find the words to tell those stories… to make them more alive. The workshop also focuses on how to be present in your writing, find your voice and engage the reader.

Ancestors and Family: Writing Family Stories (Sat 28- Sun 29 May R780)

One day we too will be ancestors. Our stories will be gifts for those we leave behind. We write those stories and place them next to those of our family, immediate, extended and chosen. The idea of family includes not only blood but our spiritual tradition, culture and the line of those who have influenced us. The workshop also touches on healing the family tree.

Cape Town

At Home with Words and People ( Sat. 9 April 2005 14.30-17.30 R180)

Need to speak in Public? Be relaxed… unstressed? Find your voice? Let who you are come though? Enjoy the moment and the audience? Speak without notes? This mini workshop is about this art.

Ancestors and Family: Writing Family Stories (30 April-1 May R620)

One day we too will be ancestors. Our stories will be gifts for those we leave behind. We write those stories and place them next to those of our family, immediate, extended and chosen. The idea of family includes not only blood but our spiritual tradition, culture and the line of those who have influenced us. The workshop also touches on healing the family tree.

Spirit, Myth and Archetype: A Writing Workshop (Sat 11- Sun 12 June R620)

In this workshop we explore our life stories and fiction in relation to the patterns that lie beneath the surface. The workshop offers insights into what myths and archetypes are and how they influence our lives.

Durban

The River Journey: Using Images to Enrich your Writing (23 – 24 April R580)

“My love is like a red red rose.” When we compare, we give birth to relationships. This workshop is about using imagery in our writing of life stories, fiction, poetry and drama. An image is a bolt of energy from the writing blue. It’s about developing a new way of seeing that opens to adventure.

Still Bay South Cape (Fri 20- Sat a.m. 21 May R370)

Writing and illustrating for children. (Dorian works with world-class illustrator, Marjorie van Heerden) This workshop explores the edges of conversation between text and illustration. Beginner writers for children or writer’s who don’t illustrate are welcome.

New new new ….

Interested in Self publishing? Mandy Lebides of Writescapes offers an innovative opportunity. The Writescapes Self-Publishing Emporium (WSE)

mandy@busdialogues.com 083 310 9832

If there are specific workshop themes you would like in your area, let us talk till the writing signs itself in the air.

May your lives live be rich in story. May you be like a Chaucer pilgrim, setting out after rain.