writinglife

Writing Life women’s writing circle
four Wednesday mornings:
February 28 to March 20, 2024
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nourish Yourself.
Honour Your Voice.
Write Your Stories.

Theme: Devotion + Delight: Honouring Your Writing Practice

Fee: $240 for four Wednesday mornings

Devotion to a writing practice is a kind of tending to the stories wanting to be expressed. We find the still centre of ourselves and write what has heart and meaning for us. We acknowledge our teachers and the women who came before us. We are often guided by curiosity and intuition and can find delight in honouring our voices. The stories we tell can take different forms whether poetry, prose, fiction or a blend of approaches. The possibilities can be your own unique form of creative expression. The Writing Life Circle offers a framework in which to explore. Meeting together is a way to diminish the sense of isolation writers can feel working on their own. The circle offers an embrace to those who gather to connect as if around a fire to honour rites of
passage or the kitchen table to tell stories. So much insight can be gained by answering the call to write, so many connections to oneself and others.

Our weekly themes will be inspired by the elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.

We are always inspired and supported by one another as stories are shared in the circle. No previous writing experience is necessary to embrace the fullness of the stories from your life.

Location: Mary Ann’s home in the Extension/White Rapids area of Nanaimo

Please Do: Let me know if you would like to sign up for the Writing Life women’s writing circle.

Fee: Confirm your space by sending an e-transfer for $240 to creativity@maryannmoore.ca
If mailing a cheque, my address is: Mary Ann Moore, 76 Colwell Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9X 1E4

Maximum: 6 writers

What Happens in a Writing Life Circle

In the Writing Life Circle we write from our lives and create writing lives. We write for the love of it. I offer inspiring readings, poems and prompts as doorways to our own stories and “your own way of looking at things.” Much of our inspiration and creative stimulation comes from one another as well as from the work of other writers. There’s no critiquing and no previous writing experience is necessary. Responses to one another’s writing is meant to encourage and support.

While some of the writing may be considered “journaling,” it has value as acknowledging an event or an emotion and may offer some fresh insight. Lines from those journaling entries may make their way into future pieces of fiction, a personal essay or a poem. An important aspect of the circle is to claim the fullness of your own life, to write your story for yourself first before you consider the aspect of crafting it to share elsewhere.

We follow guidelines in the circle so as to create a safe container. I also offer a flower essence each week as Nature’s support for our safe container, the process of uncovering and the integration of what has been discovered.

Please be in touch with any questions you may have.

[The writing circle] helped me immensely as I was able to get feedback on my writing in a safe and supportive way. Being with other writers inspired me and kept me motivated to continue with my writing. Your wonderful quotes, prompts and reference books provided me with resources that I would have never accessed on my own. It was like being given a writer’s toolbox filled with a limitless source of inspiring tools.
Ginny Sargison

what if you don’t have writing experience?

“Writing” can be a frightening word if you’re used to being judged for it. In the Writing Life Circle we transform thoughts into words, memories into insight and new possibilities. Inherited stories become invented stories, recreated by you. As there’s no pressure to perform, you’re free to explore. I follow circle guidelines as noted above from Calling the Circle: The First and Future Culture by Christina Baldwin. The guidelines give us structure in the space just as we look for structure in the story.

benefits of the writing life circle

Some women may write another piece of their story and that way keep up the momentum. Others may be open to exploring in the moment as if writing in a journal. Everyone benefits from the circle by listening with attention and speaking with intention. We create a sacred space in which to let our stories reveal themselves. Other benefits include:

  • An exploration of your relationship to silence and stillness,
  • A variety of writing prompts to get you started,
  • Guidelines for your own journaling practice and various other forms,
  • References for reading and inspiration,
  • Support from a circle of women who are also writing,
  • Witnesses to your creative journey,
  • A creative boost and a reminder that your creativity makes a healthy impact on your life and on the world.
I love the ritual, the sloughing off of the outside world and cloistering of one’s self in that space and time. And the holding back of discussion to a simple echoing back of our fellow “circlers” writing – speaking the phrases that caught us off guard, sparked an inspiration, evoked the curl of a smile or a tiny tear … completes the sacredness of our coming together to write about life.
Stephanie Clark

questions

If you haven’t been to a Writing Life Circle before, it’s a good idea to have a chat with me, Mary Ann, in advance. Please contact Mary Ann Moore at 250-591-7990 or creativity@maryannmoore.ca.

the intent of the writing life circle

  • To provide a safe place for women to tell their stories.
  • To find the still centre of ourselves and of the circle.
  • To write what has heart and meaning for us.
  • To realize our role as leaders in a circle of leaders.
  • To remember the divine feminine and embrace our female and male teachers.
  • To become a community of peers slowing down to a natural rhythm.

what a former writing life circle member has to say:

The writing circle was meaningful, insightful, moving and also fun. I felt privileged to be included among such wonderful women who shared their unique and precious experiences, feelings and thoughts.
Rie Okamura

my experience

As a poet, writer and circle leader, I bring many years of experience, passion and playfulness to writing in community. I find great delight in seeing people awaken their creative potential. My poetry, fiction and personal essays have appeared in chapbooks published by Leaf Press, literary journals, websites, anthologies and on CD: When My Heart is Open. My full-length book of poems, Fishing for Mermaids, was published by Leaf Press. My latest poetry book is Mending published by house of appleton. Please visit my books page to see more including  two writing resources: Writing to Map Your Spiritual Journey published by the IAJW (International Association for Journal Writing, 2020) and Writing Home: A Whole Life Practice (Flying Mermaids Studio, 2021) And please have a look at my blog for reviews and musings on the creative life.