Prairie Wind Writing Centre

Author: halmartin

  • Courage for the Inner Me

    Need a time out in a lovely setting with reflective people?

    Courage for the Inner Me: Exploring Grit, Grace, and Gratitude is an opportunity to reconnect with what you already know to be true: the grit of life is tough to take at some times, good things can still happen, and gratitude takes practice.

    In a safe, caring, and creative context, retreat activities including quiet time, readings from literature, guided writing, music, and meaningful conversation invite you to a place of gratitude.

    No writing experience needed. All walks of life and ages are welcome.

     

    Date, Time & Place: TBA

     

    Fees: include registration, meals and accommodations, and workshop materials.

    Register for the next “Courage for the Inner Me”

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  • TEA FOR THE INNER ME

    It is not easy to take time for tea, to sit down with one’s self. To take the extra moments to steep tea, perhaps to use loose tea, to turn off the radio or television, to sit quietly. To pose questions to one’s self.

    It is even more of a commitment to explore our world with our pen. Whether you are young or old, whoever you are, we hope you will take time to relax in the moment while peacefully reflecting on the challenges and goodness of life.

    TEA FOR THE INNER ME is an enjoyable 2.5 hours during which you are introduced to blending the ritual of tea and the practice journaling as a way of finding that quiet and wise place within yourself. You don’t need to love tea or be enthusiastic about writing. This guided experience includes actual tea and healthy goodies, an introduction to therapeutic writing, and opportunity to experience written reflection about your life. Take home new insights, new skills, and the book Tea for the Inner Me along with its accompanying journal. The workshop is appropriate for a home or work setting.

    Ask your friends, staff, or colleagues to come to a Tea for the Inner Me event at your home, at your office, or in a special location of your choice.

    Mental health advocate Krishna Gupta of Rohit Construction has offered to partially sponsor Tea for the Inner Me for qualifying groups and organizations.

    “Tea for the Inner Me has changed my entire life. Taking moments of reflection for myself while sipping tea and journalling, has helped me to better understand myself and others. This has led me to a happier life.” ~ Krishna Gupta

    For further information about how your group or organization can benefit from this generous offer contact prairiewindwriting@gmail.com

    For further information contact prairiewindwriting@gmail.com or call 780-387-4673.

    I am interested in attending or hosting a “Tea for the Inner Me”

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  • Writing for your Life by Deena Metzger

    Writing for your Life by Deena Metzger

    My all-time favorite read in the area of therapeutic writing is Deena Metzger’s Writing for Your Life. (http://deenametzger.net). It was the hook for my wanting to deepen my understanding of the use of writing for self- understanding and self-development. It has one of the best chapters on seeing our lives as “story” that I have read. The author intersperses challenging and meaningful exercises throughout. First published in 1992, it is still popular. I agree with the commentary on Amazon:

    In the tradition of Annie Dillard and Natalie Goldberg, this resource for writers and non-writers alike shows the act of writing to be a dynamic means of knowing, healing, and creating the body, mind, and spirit.

  • Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider

    Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider

    Writing Alone and with Others by Pat Schneider makes visible the author’s years of experience. Her conversational style speaks to the author in us and invites the reader to begin writing. Simply begin. To do so, she offers a wealth of options without intimidating or overwhelming the newcomer to writing. Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, you will find this a very good read. The latter part of the book speaks to how writing can be used in the context of various group, a rich and helpful resource for those ready to facilitate writing in their personal or professional settings.

     

  • The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith

    The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith

    Want to get started on your memoir? My recommendation is The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith. (http://marionroach.com). This common sense readable book is for those who are willing to plunge in. In fact, that is what the author recommends – “Stop treading water in writing exercises or hiding behind “writer’s block”. Her practical suggestions will get you writing and keep you writing with intent. Your life story is important. If you question that, begin to write and let the significance reveal itself.

  • Entering life as a writer

    Photo by S. Holzer

    I always knew that there would be another era to my life, a time when the obligations would recede and the call to the creative would draw me to the longed-for solitude of the life of a writer. The moment of transition has come. With the dedication of the scribes of a cloistered monastery, my fingers slip across the keyboard in deliberately chosen stillness.

    In anticipation, there were moments I had envisioned writing pages longhand while nestled into the old, yet classic slider rocker, the one piece of furniture that I know will be among the few artifacts of my life. The original outrageous purchase price has long since affirmed the adage, “You get what you pay for.”

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  • Images & Echoes: Exploring life with photography and writing

    Images & Echoes: Exploring life with photography and writing

    This beautiful edited hardcopy book captures the explorations of seventeen women who reveal their stories through writing and images. Join them as they delve into the worlds we commonly call family, work, learning, healing, relationships, and spirit. Explore along with them, your inner and outer life as they take you from Copala, to Mazatlan, to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan; from a hospital bed to a classroom; from the summit of Kilimanjaro to the Pacific Ocean; from fear to courage; from chaos to stability.

    This book was privately sponsored by Krishna Gupta. She writes: I am proud to support the publication of Images and Echoes: Exploring life with photography and writing. To celebrate my sixtieth year, I wanted to give the world something that encouraged mental health, honored women, and promoted women’s writing. As a mental health advocate, I share its objective of making visible the lives and struggles of women through their writing and images. I believe so strongly that we must promote mental health for everyone and that it begins with our own stories. Every woman who tells her story honestly is an exemplar of courage.

    A hard copy is available from Prairie Wind Writing Centre

    Price: $55.00 CAD
    Shipping: $15 CAD
    For purchase please contact the author
    —Ronna Jevne—