Last week I attended a poetry retreat in Honeymoon Bay, on Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island. I try to do this at least once a year. That good habit started in 2006 when I began attending poetry retreats with Patrick Lane. Patrick died in 2019 and it’s now his partner and fellow poet, Lorna Crozier, who has taken on the leading of the poetry retreats in Honeymoon Bay. It’s wonderful to work with a master poet and teacher.
The other fabulous part of attending a retreat is being able to hang out with fellow poets. There were nineteen of us and we were able to write together, share our poetry, eat our meals together, and hang out to compare notes on our writing lives. The social time is as important as our learning about the craft of poetry. And there is time for walks down to the lake where a poet friend and I spotted trilliums under the trees in the park.
Writing in community is something I’ve done for a long time. I’m thinking back to a women’s writing retreat I attended in 1993. It was in 1997 I began to offer writing circles and I continue to do that as they offer some time to be with other writers, setting aside the usual responsibilities of every day. Spending time with the writing of your own stories from life is really a boost to everything else that you do. I found that when I got home from the retreat I really felt blessed having taken the time for myself.
There are three opportunities coming up for writing together: in person in Nanaimo for one day, and there’s a six-week women’s writing circle, also in person in Nanaimo. As well, there will be a six-week Writing Home writing circle on Zoom through the International Association for Journal Writing (IAJW). There’s a discount of $50 if you sign up by May 5th.
Here are some details about all of the writing circles:
Writing for the Love of It
A one-day writing circle, open to all, at Bethlehem Centre on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This one-day writing circle is an invitation to experience and create writing as your own spiritual practice. Together, we’ll create a sacred ceremony of writing, sharing and listening to yourself and others. Each participant is respected for their presence and contributions. The circle is an opportunity to acknowledge who you are, what you’ve done, and what you’d like to do. We’ll have some social time together at lunch (included in the fee) and there will be an opportunity to walk on the grounds of Bethlehem Centre on Westwood Lake.
You can find information about the themes and how to register at this link.
Memoir + Mythmaking: Opening to New Discoveries,
a six-week women’s writing circle at my home in the Extension/White Rapids area of Nanaimo,
from Wednesday, May 15 to Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Some of the themes we’ll explore in Memoir + Mythmaking are: Once upon a time; the people that are part of your life’s journey; your purpose/calling; writing the body; your home and belonging; and your spiritual practice. Please let me know if you’d like me to save a space for you.
If you would be available for this writing circle on Zoom on the Wednesdays noted above, please let me know.
Have a look at my website for further information.
Writing Home: A Whole Life Practice,
a six-week writing circle, open to all, on Zoom through the International Association for Journal Writing (IAJW)
from Thursday, May 16 to Thursday, June 20, 2024
Unfold your personal story, envelop yourself with your own wisdom, be inspired to live your life from that heart-opening place. The Writing Home circle is based on my book of the same name and this is the first time I’ve offered it through the IAJW.
Visit the IAJW site for further information and to register. Please note that fees are in U.S. funds. There is an early bird rate of $50 off.
The sale ends on May 5. If you are an IAJW member, you will receive an additional 20 percent off.
Here’s the link to all the info about the six-week Writing Home Circle: Writing Home.
You can learn about IAJW memberships here.
Please let me know if you have any questions about any of these writing circles. If you are interested in joining the next six-week Writing Life women’s circle, I’ll save you a space. Once you know there is space available, you can follow up with payment either by e-transfer or cheque.
Be well and Happy Spring,
Mary Ann
