Writing News Letter May to August 2005

 

Dear Writer in early winter ‘05

 

The time of night fires approaches. If words are twigs may you make a fire of words this winter.

 

Im just back from co-facilitating a mens retreat. We worked around a fireplace at Ixopo. Eighteen men wrote the names of absent friends, troubled friends, sons and fathers on slithers of wood.  We stacked them and lit the fire.

 

I have been thinking about the conversation we have with ourselves as writers. How writing lights the fire of the self. We begin to spark and flare and give off warmth.

 

A reminder about the Winter story-telling event in Cape Town.  On Saturday night 13th August (note change in date) I will be hosting Brazilian born story- teller, Antonia Rocha, a full time teller with a mime and movement style. Venue: Erin Hall in Rondebosch  at 19:00

 

Here are the May to August workshops – in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town.

If there are specific workshop themes you would like in your area, speak – speak!

 

I’m grateful to those who pass on this letter to writing friends.

 

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Writing and illustrating for children

Still Bay

South Cape

Fri 20 - full day - Sat a.m. 21 May

R380

 

Dorian works with world-class illustrator, Marjorie van Heerden.

This workshop explores the edges of conversation between text and illustration. Beginner writers for children or writer’s who don’t illustrate are welcome.

 

Ancestors and Family: Writing Family Stories

Johannesburg

Sat 28- Sun 29 May

R780

 

One day we too will be ancestors. Our stories will be gifts for those we leave behind. We write those stories and place them next to those of our family, immediate, extended and chosen. The idea of family includes not only blood but our spiritual tradition, culture and the line of those who have influenced us. The workshop also touches on healing the family tree. 

 

Venue: 1 Rhodes Av, Parktown (near M1 St Andrews/Parktown off ramp)

Spirit, Myth and Archetype: A Writing Workshop

Cape Town

Sat 11- Sun 12 June

R620

 

In this workshop we explore our life stories and fiction in relation to the patterns that lie beneath the surface. The workshop offers insights into what myths and archetypes are and how they influence our lives.

 

Venue: 4 Bridgewater Park Marais St Somerset West

 

Fair Lady Magazine Winter Workshops 2005

 

In Johannesburg 16-17 July

Durban 30-31 July

Cape Town 6-7 August

R650

(see July Fair Lady)

 

Family and Ancestors: Giving our Stories as Gifts

 

One day we too will be ancestors. Our stories will be gifts for our families . In this workshop we connect to our creativity and imagination and write these stories. The idea of family includes not only blood but our spiritual tradition, culture and the line of those who have influenced us. The workshop also touches on healing the family tree. 

 

Bring writing materials, any family memorabilia e.g. photos, old magazines, scissors

 

Venues to be announced

 

And leapfrogging ahead…

 

Spring Workshops:

The Bigger You; Writing Longing and Belonging

 

I am not I. I am the one walking beside me. (Jiminez)

 

When we think of a relationship, most of us think of relating to other people   a lover, a spouse, a child, a friend. But what about the relationship with the person we have known longest - ourselves -? Can writing open to a lifelong love affair with yourself?

 

This workshop explores ‘the companion self.’ That part of me that accompanies all I do – the part that Carl Jung called the twin.  As Ray Bradbury, the writer, suggests “I do not write. The other me demands emergence constantly.” But who are ‘the other me’s? And how do I find them? The workshop attempts to answer these questions.

 

Johannesburg        29-30 Oct    R780

Durban                  5-6 Nov       R580

 

Venues to be announced

 

Summer  Workshops:

And Summer in the Helderberg

 

Somerset West   23-27  Nov

 

Why not join the second Summer Writing School

R1880

includes

*tuition

* one-on-one mentoring

*one email follow up consultation

* files and a surprise gift for writers

*most meals * nature reserve admission

 

reasonable B & B close in Somerset West or nearby Gordon’s Bay, Strand.

 

May your words warm you