Creative Workshops July/Aug 2010
Writing Newsletter
Re-story and re-imagine
your Life and Work
Dear writer, storyteller, reader, word
watchers…
Words as things, tangible as the fibrery
paper and the liquid ink, almost like small objects, rocks or gems. Words as stones, as stars, as seed, tracks, doors, words as
mountains, words as skins. Words as colours.... (J Ruth Gendler)
Walking along the Langebaan lagoon two weeks
ago I passed a notice “don’t walk on the groyne” – a
new word to me (a sand bagged pier). So this month’s meditation is on the
mystery of words – their sounds, echoes, associations and meanings.
Here is the story (repeated from the Aug 09 newsletter):
The
rabbi prays in the synagogue. He prays eloquently, he prays for world peace for
the generations, for forgiveness. At the end of the day he asks G-d, “Was my prayer well received? G-d responds, “Your prayer
was well received” The rabbi then asks, “Was it not the best prayer that
reached your ears this day?” “No,”
responds the Divine. “Who
prayed more eloquently and I?” “Kefi.”
“Kefi?” the rabbi explodes indignantly, “He’s the
janitor in the synagogue. What does he know about prayer? What did he say?” G-d responds, “Kefi
stood up and whispered. “I am a simple man. You know I love you. So that I do
not to offend you, I will recite the alphabet. You arrange the letters in the
words that please you.”
In the rabbinical tradition the alphabet is holy. The 5 open vowels
as we move our mouths through their shapes become a prayer, a mantra. To the echoing awaking universe. The consonants hissed, popped
or exploded tickle the inside of our lips, teeth, palate, tongue.
They become the stops we block to make the music. So that the
alphabet rides on the breath. The rising and falling,
the interruption and sudden release - into words.
So what is this magic that arrives via our ears, mouths and synapses?
Remember Helen Keller’s break-though moment?
We
walked down the path to the well-house, attracted by the fragrance of the
honey-suckle…. Someone was drawing water and my teacher placed my hand under the
spout. As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the
word water, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed
upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of
something forgotten, a thrill of returning thought, and somehow the mystery of
language was revealed to me.
Once we have found the words, how do we own and arrange them?
Many writers and storytellers seldom browse the dictionary to try new
words on the tongue – there are so many one to three syllable words that are
beyond my ken. And when I recycle the same old words I can flounder in a
stagnant language pool.
That’s why I enjoy my daily word
from A Word A
Day, The Magic of Words with Anu Garg (see Wordsmith.org) Today as I
write, the mountains fringing Somerset West are snow peaked. Here’s today’s entry - virga (VUHR-guh) noun:
Rain or snow that evaporates before hitting the ground. From
Latin virga (rod, streak). Or this one: pluvial
(PLOO-vee-uhl) adjective: Of or relating to
rain, especially much rain. From Latin pluvia
(rain), from pluere (to rain). Ultimately from
the Indo-European root pleu- (to flow), that is also
the source of flow, float, flit, fly, flutter, pulmonary, and pneumonia.
May words rain on you this month. May they
not be virga but land on the ground.
Dorian’s July/Aug Storyshops/ Writeshops/Conversations
If you want
any of these workshops in your area speak
speak.
1.
Somerset West
Sat 3 July
09.30 – 13.00
How to be at ease with words a U3A (University of the Third Age) workshop – for U3A members. Elders teaching elders. Free… venue 59a
New Street Som West.
Euphoric U4A members welcome.
2. Durbanville
Sat 3 July 15.30 -17.30
Beginning Again: An Afternoon of Poetry R80 - includes
wine / juice
I believe that poetry is a
primal impulse within us all. I believe we are all capable of it and … that a
small, often ignored corner of us yearns to try it. (Stephen Fry)
We can all enjoy reading and writing poetry. For many of us poetry
was made difficult at school. This session is about recovering simplicity and
opening ourselves to the joy poetry can bring.
Poetry helps us pay attention, listen and observe the world. With Wordsworth ‘we see into the life of
things.’ Poetry opens us to our creativity and imagination. It cultivates a sense of
belonging. We think about poetic moments,
words and sounds. Bring and share poems you love.
Venue: Mystic Cove,
Contact: Karin Fraser karinfraser@gmail.com
083 567 8967
3.
Beginning
Again: An Evening of Poetry
R80…. includes a
glass of wine
Sat 17July 19.00 – 21.00
I believe that poetry is a
primal impulse within us all. I believe we are all capable of it and … that a
small, often ignored corner of us yearns to try it (Stephen Fry)
See 2 above for blurb
Venue:
TBA
Contact: Evette
Weyers emoyeni@mhws.co.za 028 273 8483
4. Bellville Holy Cross Sisters’ School
Mon 2 Aug
Sessions with students
(creative writing) and staff (rekindling your passion for teaching)
5.
Conversations with Nature A Story, Land
Art and Writing Retreat
Fri 20 (18.00) – Sun 22 (15.00)
August (I join land artists Leli Hoch
and Andree Bonthuys)
see site freewheeling.co.za
What did the grass below the koppie say
Stranger, the yellow grass, when you
looked around,
Then hastened on? Of shadows on the
ground
the long grass
spoke... (Veld Secre, Bosman)
Writing and Story Component
On this retreat we explore our life stories through our connection
to nature. We draw images and symbols from natural life and the landscape
around us. We create and craft our writing journey. We celebrate our belonging
to the universe and to
KZN
6.
Oom Schalk Alive: A evening of Bosman R100 (includes soup,
cheese, bread) Bring own drinks.
Fri 23 July 19h00 - 21h30
It is not the
story that counts. It's the way you tell it (Oom
Schalk Lourens)
Join us for
an evening of winter
warmth of fun,
laughter and veld wisdom with Herman Charles Bosman. Listen
to ‘Oom Schalk’ narrate stories of love,
leopards, peach brandy, star gazing, ox wagons and concertinas.
Roma Howard (082) 4530917
e-mail: romahoward@rha.co.za
7. Ixopo Zen Pen: Writing and
Meditation
13 - 15 Aug
at Buddhist Retreat Centre. brcixopo@futurenet.co.za 039 834
1863
“Looking at your image in a clear stream, you
answer the question by your very presence.” In this workshop
we explore the connection between writing and meditation. We write and meditate
on the many changes and transformations we experience as we journey along the
river of our lives. We consider how creativity steadies the boat and how
writing helps us dip the oars into dark water so we may navigate the river
safely.
8.
The Great Metaphor Hunt : A Storyshop
for Therapists and Other Healers
Sat 7 Aug 10.00 - 15.00 R 520
I love metaphor. It provides two loaves where there seems to be
one. Sometimes it throws in a load of fish. (Bernard Malamud)
Metaphors are
everywhere, open to the eyes that seek them. Especially in
nature. This hunt (rich in story, words, images
and symbols) aims to enrich the personal and work experience of those involved
in the healing professions. It will help you create a more dynamic practice and
widen your repertoire of skills. It
considers how attention to this mytho-poetic world:
Bring writing materials and a light lunch to share.
Playing with metaphor in the context of a picnic and treasure hunt
sounds like an opportunity to become curious again…, to free fall with
words ....to ignite creative participation in our clinical work. (LIzbe Vos)
Venue: JMD Psychological
Consulting
Cost
: R520 - payable to the practice in advance via EFT
or direct deposit
Contact: Dr
Janne Dannerup/Sino Thebe
011 888 1110 or sino@jmdpsych.com
I will
be in
…and on to September:
9.
Betty’s Bay
Walking
with your Story A Creative Retreat R650 workshop fee see accommo below
Fri 10 to Sun 12 Sept (7 pm Fri
to 1.30 pm Sun)
On this
retreat we explore our life stories through our connection to nature. Betty’s Bay
will be our writing home for the weekend. We walk to waterfall, dark wood,
mountain, grotto, lily pond, beach and dune. We draw from these places the
images, symbols and themes for our life journey. We celebrate our belonging to
the universe and to
· the art of storytelling
· creative outdoor activities
· creating and crafting our life stories
Book early as
space is limited. Beginner writers are
welcome.
Venue The Retreat,
Accom Avail at venue if you are quick or many B and B’s in Pringle and Betty’s
Meals Light supper Fri/Sat.
Tea/coffee. Bring own Sat lunch or pop up to the deli.
Bring Pen, paper,
shoes for beach + mountain. Membership card/fee Bot Gdns
Contact
Mea Lashbrooke 074 101 1927 or 021 797
9916 Workshop bookings only
Ongoing
activities (some repeat info)
Email
Courses: Writer’s/Poet’s Voice Course – one-on–one
tuition
Some folks respond to structure, assignments… if so, ask and it shall be
negotiated. Here is one possibility: Do
you love reading and writing? This one-on-one apprenticeship aims to take you
further up the writing mountain and offer you a deeper engagement with your
craft. This course is structured in the nature of an ongoing conversation with
a few chosen writers or poets, (ancestral or alive) with me and with yourself.
I encourage you to keep a journal to record your observations and reflections.
Speaking Engagements
Be still when you have nothing to say but when
genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot." (D. H. Lawrence) I’m building
up this aspect of my work.
Development Work
During 2010/11 I will be again be working alongside Dr Laura
Campbell of the HSRC facilitating
training of home-based caregivers and grannies - - through stories and creative play - who
care for children who are dying.
Bosman and Nasrudin under starlight
This summer season I will be a story-ing…
an evening, wine, cheese, breads and tales for the telling. This kind of
evening is a bit like the old days - singing around the piano at
home. -Except I use stories and creative activities to get folk
interacting and to prompt conversations. Themes… Chinese, South African,
Mentoring
– one-on-one (repeat info)
“You make me sound like myself” (various clients.) Walk with me in words.
You put on one shoe, I wear the other. Memoirs, mindfulness adventures, work in
the word… genres tumbling out of folk on the one-on-one path. Such a richness of story here.
5-
Corporate Work
The Halo and the Noose, the Power of
story-telling and story listening in Business Life R195
Want to source a 100 plus stories? co-written
with Graham Williams (Graysonian Press). We run
corporate story workshops based on our book. Roma Howard, a training
practitioner in leadership and team effectiveness, writes:
I was
utterly captivated by The Halo and the Noose, and now regularly recommend it
when I am facilitating my Train the Trainer & Presentation Skills
courses. )
For orders: from
the authors or Graysonian Press Inspirational books that
change the world www.graysonian.com 0836101113
We've established a website in order to offer The Halo and the Noose as an eBook, and to create a Member's
facility for those who are serious about their story-telling and listening
prowess in business. Members can access various resources, audio streams,
article archives, their own newsletter, questionnaires, communicate with the
authors and will get ongoing offers. The site is http://www.haloandnoose.co.za
In response to a growing demand we offer an
eWorkbook, discounted to members (Story Matters @ Work)
that contains many new stories and exercises covering elevator, personal,
business issue, corporate, crucial conversation and other stories.
Poetry CD
The Stone on the Stomach - a Poetry CD
with 30 of my poems old and new read
by me and by my son Dominic… R120
Friends
at Work and Play
Elma Pollard: Write for Earth email
based writing course
Learn the art of eco-journalism with energy and
passion. Offer your voice to help craft a better future. More information at
this link http://thegreentimes.co.za/index.php?id=63
Aneta Shaw:
Creative relaxation in a small group context
Enhance personal growth and honour your
soul through creative techniques. Aneta is a clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist,
has integrated years of experience and life in other countries with ancient
ways of being in this world.
Aneta 082 686 8118 or 021 8555415 aneta.shaw@vodamail.co.za
So may your words flow like water. May
they be inscribed in your hand.
Dorian
PS Thank
you to all those who circulate this
letter.
water drops fall
into a stone bowl.
all the dust of your mind
washes away.
(Sen-No-Rikyu)
Dr Dorian Haarhoff
dorianhaarhoff.com
021 855 3937/ 082 873 6802 /fax
16 Poinsettia Rd