Creative Workshops 2006 – July Writing Newsletter
Dear writer
As we dip our oars in the great wave of words, I think of Moya Cannon, an Irish poet I heard read in
Oar
Walk inland and inland
with your oar,
until someone
asks you
what it is
Then build your house.
For only then will you need to tell and know
that the sea is
immense and unfathomable,
that the oar
that pulls
against the wave
and with the wave
is every thing.
So we work in mystery.
In The Healing Art of
Storytelling, a Sacred Journey of Personal Discovery, Richard Stone quotes
the Baal Shem Tov, the great Hassidic story-teller,
who, when asked why he tells stories, replies, “I answer your questions with
stories, because salvation lies in remembrance.” When we remember (as opposed
to dismember) we put together what belongs together, connecting our lives in a
new whole.
Stone reminds us “Our bodies do not distinguish between imagination
and experience.” So in imagining the story, we embody and create it. In
creation we move through that writing space.
Workshops
…and so to the July and on 06 workshops. Thank you
to all those who pass on this letter. Please let me know if you
don’t want to receive it. (Given the nature of email, I have been receiving
‘unsubscribe’ from people not on my sending list???)
Somerset West. Shape and
Substance: Crafting your Writing R170
Sun 2 July 09.30 – 13.00
How do we grow a text, shape it give it form, create art out of our
scribblings and first drafts? Make it more alive? How
do we involve our readers? This workshop will show you how to grow your writing
in a creative, organic way.
Beginner writers are welcome. Bring copies of texts in progress if
you wish.
Sat 8 July 09.30 – 13.00
See text under Somerset West
workshop (above)
(The
The River Journey: Late winter Writing Retreat at Vaaloewer
Sat and Sun 26-27 August
09.30 -16.00 (R780)
I do not know much about gods;
but … the river Is a strong brown god (T S Eliot)
Explore your life stories through your connection to nature. We
draw images and symbols from the river and the landscape around it. We create
and craft our writing journey. There will be time for silence, bird watching and for dreaming. Travelling
– 100km ex J’burg.
B & B available at reasonable rates. Book early to secure your accommo.
Hiking and Writing in the
Helderberg (with
Bob Commin) R420 (with hut stay)
2-3 Sept
We hike and write (not at the same time) up the Helderberg
overnight at a hut. There is something
about moving feet along a path and moving words across a page. Is it rhythm? A
left and right brain jogging? Join us.
KZN Ixopo Buddhist Retreat Centre 039 834 1863 brcixopo@futurenet.co.za
My Life My Death (with Peter Fox)
8-10 Sept
We’re constantly in the flow of life and death. This workshop explores these twin energies on our journey of transformation. We seek those experiences that bring us a sense of aliveness and an acceptance of the mystery. We
celebrate our life and befriend our death.
Myths, stories and poetry are our guides and gifts as we create
and craft our stories.
And arriving late 06….
The Helderberg Writing Escape
14-19 November (featured in South Africa
Writing Vol 2 April 06)
Johanna Castro and I have created the Helderberg School of Writing.
Johanna
is an international freelance journalist who coaches in the genres of magazine
writing, travel writing and copywriting. This
extravaganza - our first 5 day joint venture - hopes to attract both local and international writers. We’ll be
writing and mentoring at a wine farm and in the Helderberg Nature Reserve. The
escape will offer five days of exploration and discovery.
Other writer’s workshops
Pinelands,
A Poetry Writing Day (Bob Commin) R 120
15 July
For those
who love poetry and for those who write or would like to write
contact Bob 082 202 5303 021 447
9550 bcommin@netactive.co.za
May there be
drops of water at the end of your oar.
Dorian
Dr Dorian Haarhoff
021 852 7587 / 082 873 6802
http://dorianhaarhoffwriter.homestead.com
Marais Street
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