News and Musing

Actual news this time around

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

This week’s newsletter is more of an actual newsletter than many of my previous contemplative posts. I’ve just loaded up my calendar with this coming winter’s workshops and events. It’s one way to avoid my not-so-exciting feelings about winter.

First up, an unusual occurrence: normally my Thursday online writing workshops fill up, but this week there are three, count ‘em, three empty seats. So as they say, grab ‘em while you can!

Second up, Amherst Writers has this great initiative for writers at all levels of confidence to experience the magic of the AWA method. Once a month, a skilled facilitator introduces the details of the method and then offers two or three writing prompts. These can be simply an idea or situation, a piece of art, or/and a poem from which to leap into one’s own expression. The beauty of the method is that essentially one can’t do it wrong – no matter what the prompt, each writer is free to take it or leave it, to use it for essay, fiction, poetry, or memoir. One of the other beauties (there are a few) is that the feedback will identify the strengths in a piece or what was found to be particularly memorable. All writing is story and never reflects on the writer. Truthfully, one can be told all about the method in great detail, but it’s the experience of it that never ceases to make my jaw drop. Through these workshops I’ve found that what the founder of the work, Pat Schneider, attests is true, that everyone is born with creative genius. In these monthly offerings, there is one main facilitator to offer the prompts, and as many breakout room facilitators as is required to keep the reading and feedback to intimate groupings.

So, ya’ll come. Donations for as little as $10 go towards AWA’s social justice programs. And, oh yeah, this month, I’ll be the one giving you something to write about.

Third up is the winter schedule. I just got all my ducklings in a row right up until my book launch in March. There’s lots to choose from. Here’s an idea of what you’ll find if you go looking:

Mondays: 12 -2 pm

Tuesdays: 7 - 9 pm

Thursdays: 12 - 2 pm

Poetry series runs biweekly on Fridays from 12 to 1:30

Every other Saturday from 12 - 2

One Sunday a month 12 - 6 pm (Deep Dive with loooong writing times – particularly suited to those working on longer projects)

Fourth, and definitely not least, up are my book launches. My indie bookseller is in Orillia so that’s where I start on March 24. Regal House Publishing releases WHAT THE LIVING DO on March 19, 2024, so that’s when everything goes into fast forward. For those of you not in the US, the novel is available for pre-order now, and for those in Canada but not able to attend the party, you can pre-order here. I would be ever grateful should you choose that option.

The novel’s next event date is April 4 in Toronto. We’ll be heading to Uxbridge for a third event at Blue Heron Books, tentatively scheduled for April 12.

Fifthly, this past Sunday, I hosted my first day-long online workshop. I’ve led buckets of in-person day-long events but I wondered if six hours (with an hour break) might be too much for the screen weary. All I needed was one writer to say she’d be there if I ran one.

And I’m so glad that I did. I’ve been attending Sue Reynolds, Headway Project, a two-hour immersion in our writing projects where we do two longer writes with only one read through. So much writing gets done and the longer times provide an opportunity to sink right down into a scene or scenes. I wanted to offer that kind of time to those working on novels or any full-length project, so once a month this winter, I’m offering those deep day-long dives.

Lastly, I’ve booked ten days in southern Spain at the exquisite Molino del Rey for May 2025. I’ve gushed about this place before but I’m not stopping any time soon. The thing is, Italy has my heart, so I’m considering an additional week in Puglia. My dear friend, Sulochani is scoping out possible venues for us. I know that’s a long way off, but I’m a bit of a dreamer it seems. And luckily for me, my dreams of sweet places to write have always come true.

That’s it for now. I hope to be posting more engaging snippets and such shortly.

In the meantime, thank you so much for indulging me thus far.