Spring Pop-Up Circles on Zoom

Writing Life women’s writing circles
Nourish Yourself. Honour Your Voice. Write Your Stories.

You are invited to join me for a spring pop-up writing circle (or more than one!) to honour signs of spring and your own writing practice. For those who find these circle themes familiar, you’ll have an opportunity to reconnect to your writing. For others new to the circle and perhaps even new to writing, you’ll have an introduction to the gifts of writing with companions nearby. In the two and a half hours we spend together on Zoom, we’ll have a mini retreat of connecting to ourselves and to one another.

In each of the Writing Life women’s writing circles, we apply the ancient wisdom of the circle to a modern application: a sacred ceremony of writing, sharing and listening where each woman is respected for her presence and contributions. No previous writing experience is necessary, just the desire to explore your rich lived experience and embrace the fullness of the stories from your life.

There will be writing practice suggestions offered during the circle and for you to continue writing, on your own.

Fee: $50 each (Please see info regarding payment, below the circle descriptions.)

Writing as Medicine
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time

In spring, we identify new green shoots and relish in the places, practices and people that regenerate us. Practices that return us to a sort of balance are good medicine and a writing practice is one of them.  The word “practice” means it is ever-renewing, offering grounding, and in our own self-expression, an invitation to wellness. As poet Gregory Orr wrote: “As a writer, my faith is that words can help us connect and make sense of our lives by bringing out our secrets and shames as well as our joys.”

Ceremonies + Practices for your Writing Life
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time

“Ceremony is a road to the true nature of our selves,” the late Richard Wagamese wisely observed. Our writing circle, even on Zoom, offers of kind of ceremony to honour each woman and the stories she is writing and giving breath to. The invitation offered by a ceremony is to reignite your creative fire and cup your hand gently around the things you may have forgotten.

Your Life as Story
Friday, April 5, 2024 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time

People, places, things – so much makes up a woman’s stories from life. It’s enough to put us in awe of all we have been part of. Clarissa Pinkola Estes offers encouragement: “ I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories from your life – not someone else’s life – water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you
yourself burst into bloom. That is the work. The only work.” This writing circle is an opportunity to embrace the fullness of your stories from life and your life as story.

The Place You Already Are: Poetry as Memoir
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific time

Poetry can help you express where you already are as poet Jane Hirshfield has said. And it can help you reflect on your life, in the present, with memories of the past.
Poetry is a doorway into the practice of slowing down and a doorway into honouring yourself. Many women have written their life stories in the form of poetry. We’ll have a look at some examples and be inspired to write our own poems from life.

I was born home-loving, under the sign of Cancer,
grew up with my grandparents in their small, Ontario house.

Plum trees, a potato patch, hollyhocks against the woodshed.
A pump in the middle of the garden.

From “Memoir II” by Mary Ann Moore

About Mary Ann

Mary Ann Moore (she/her) is a poet, writer and writing mentor living on the traditional lands of the Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo.  Her published work includes: Mending (poetry); Fishing for Mermaids (poetry); Writing Home: A Whole Life Practice (a writing guide); Writing to Map Your Spiritual Journey (a digital writing guide), a blog; and many book reviews. The women’s writing circles are a passion of Mary Ann’s and she finds great delight in seeing women awaken their creative potential and to their own stories from life.

Fees

Please note: Fees are due before the circles begin, by e-transfer to creativity@maryannmoore.ca or by cheque made out to Mary Ann Moore and sent to:
76 Colwell Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9X 1E4

Further Info

For further information or questions you may have, please contact Mary Ann Moore at:

E: creativity@maryannmoore.ca
T: 250-591-7990
maryannmoore.ca

Here are some comments from participants in previous Writing Life Circles “from away”:

Outi says:
The prompt to write regularly and your understanding of the mystery of nature, poetry and the
English language makes your courses valuable to me!

 Outi, Finland

Josephine says:

. . . .  what a gift you have given us all with this writing circle. I imagine those who attended
your live version wish it could continue, but please let them know that I for one look forward to
these gifts in my inbox.

Josephine, Alberta, Canada

Stephanie says:

I so enjoyed the writing circle with the group “from away’s” connections and participation.
It was  a joy and a gift! Thank you for doing this. My writing heart is home in your circles.

Stephanie, Ontario, Canada

Tabitha says:

You [women of the circle “from away] make it very easy to share my writing. The way we
hold one another up, the level of encouragement, is very touching. It’s an honour to be part
of this circle experience.

Tabitha, Ontario, Canada

The Writing Life women’s writing circle is a form of nourishment as you set aside the usual tasks of day-to-day and sit with how you are feeling. Meeting on Zoom, there will be a circle of women acting as companions and witnesses to your writing journey.

The circle “from away” and from wherever you may be is also a way to honour your voice as you write and share what you’ve written. Other women’s voices, in the form of their stories and comments, will inspire your own.

Bring your curiosity, your courage and you compassion for yourself and others. Let’s see how our stories connect us.

Writing was the healing place where I could collect the bits and pieces, where I could put them together again. It was the sanctuary, the safe place. bell hooks

You have many stories from life and there are multiple ways to approach them. Our journaling together is a form of life writing and at times we try different forms of poetry and prose to open new doorways into stories not yet told.

I look forward to our connections as I know, in a circle of women, even “from away,” we will offer some familiar ground to one another in the midst of the turmoil and uncertain times around us.