Workshops
Write Where Marginal Meets Terminal! Halifax Fed Central Workshops at 1113 Marginal Road.
Saturday, March 10, in New Germany, NS
From Memory to Page: Memoir Writing
with Alison Smith
Presented in partnership with Windhorse Farms
This workshop introduces participants to memoir writing through poetry. In particular, participants will practice writing about their lives in resonant episodes that combine memory with useful fictions and creative speculation. The workshop balances time for discussing works by other poets with time for focused writing exercises. Anyone with an interest in writing is welcome.
Alison Smith lives in New Germany, Nova Scotia, and has published two collections of poetry with Gaspereau Press. Alison recently finished an M.A. in English Literature, for which she wrote a thesis on justice, poetry, and stories of the self. Alison has taught workshops for diverse groups, including The St. Luke’s Poetry Society, which she led for three years at the Springhill Federal Institution.
About Windhorse Farm
Windhorse Farm is situated in the heart of the Acadian Forest and is self-described as an ongoing “experiment” in sustainability. Windhorse Farm provides facilities for eco-vacations, meditative and writing retreats, green group events and education.
From Memory to Page is presented in partnership with Windhorse Farm to compliment and promote their upcoming intensive writing workshop, Writing Life with Paul Dodgson, taking place April 26-29. Writing Life participants will be introduced to the techniques of memoir writing, led by the UK based Dodgson. To learn more about Dogson, the workshop content and how to register, please click here.
Mondays, February 20 - March 19, in Berwick, NS
'Great Beginnings' Creative Writing Workshop
with Christy Ann Conlin
So how do you begin writing a story? This workshop will help you focus and articulate your story idea, create a detailed outline and then get underway with writing. Perfect for all levels of writers looking to get started or for more advanced writers looking for clarity and revitalization, all you need is an idea and a burning desire to tell a tale.
Christy Ann Conlin's debut novel, Heave, was a national bestseller and one of the Globe and Mail's top books of 2002. Her fiction has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including Best Canadian Stories. She has a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of British Columbia where she wrote and studied fiction, stage and screenplay writing.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Carrying a Griefcase, Waiting for the Light: Writing About Loss
with Lorri Neilsen Glenn
"Given a choice between grief, and nothing, I'd choose grief," said William Faulkner. Poet Maureen Harris calls it opening the griefcase. What can we bring to light when we write about loss? This workshop will provide writers with activities, approaches, readings, and examples of how we write our way from loss to a new awareness. Forms include poetry, memoir, and creative nonfiction. Held on the weekend half-way from winter to spring, this workshop is suitable for writers of all levels.
Lorri Neilsen Glenn is the author, most recently of Threading Light, a memoir about loss and poetry (Hagios Press). The author of several books of non-fiction and poetry, she has led workshops in poetry and life writing across Canada and internationally. She lives and writes in Halifax.
Tuesdays, January 10 - February 14, 2012
Creative Writing
with Donna Morrissey
Workshop will focus on: Finding narrative voice and character's voice; writing with tension; and a fun, intriguing technique of tapping into one's past and combining truth with fiction to create short stories. Finding the Heart of your Story. Rediscovering Rhythm in Language. The three dynamics of Writing Effective Scenes. A fun, intriguing technique of writing Super Great Sentences.
Donna Morrissey is the author of three award-winning novels, Kit's Law, Downhill Chance, Sylvanus Now, and a screenplay, Clothesline Patch, which won a Gemini Award. Her work has been translated into several different languages. Morrissey grew up in the Beaches, a small fishing outport in Newfoundland, and now lives in Halifax.
Mondays, January 16 to March 19, 2012
Writing Stories From Life
with Gwen Davies
T.S. Elliot said about memoir, “This is the use of memory/ For liberation . . . / From the future as well as the past.” Over 10 weeks we will find pathways into memory, bring what we discover to life as story, and look at ways to strengthen the writing. Work in a small group; give yourself a weekly deadline; create a body of work. Appropriate to writers at any level of experience.
Gwen Davies specializes in teaching new and emerging writers, offering workshops in both fiction and life story. She ran the acclaimed writing retreat Community of Writers and continues to offer programs at the Tatamagouche Centre. She holds degrees from Wilfird Laurier and King's. You can find her stories in anthologies and literary magazines.
Registration: Register by contacting the WFNS office at programs[at]writers.ne.ca or by calling us at (902) 423-8116. Register early as space is limited and all classes/workshops are subject to availability.
Payment: All fees are due upon registration. Mail your payment (cash, cheque or money order payable to WFNS) to WFNS, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7. Do not mail cash. There are no refunds after the first class. A non-refundable 20% administration fee is applied to all classes.
Easy Payment Terms: WFNS offers payment installments to individuals who wish to participate in a specific class but cannot meet the full payment prior to the first session. We are happy to offer an arrangement of post-dated cheques, but these must be discussed and received by the date of the first class.
Insufficient Enrollment: Students will be notified should a course be cancelled as a result of insufficient enrollment. Registration fees will be reimbursed in full within two weeks.
Class Postponement: Participants will be notified if a class is postponed due to weather. The missed session will be rescheduled for the first available date.
Information on other organizations offering workshops is compiled and included in the weekly WFNS e-newsletter, Notes From The Fed. Notes From The Fed is sent to WFNS members every Friday. Learn about becoming a member of WFNS here.
Maritime Writers' Workshop is offered for one week in July at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Tuition, single occupancy and meals for the week cost around $650. For more information or to register, contact Allison Howells at (506) 452-6360 or ahowells [at] unb.ca. There are a usually a few scholarships available to Nova Scotian writers; ask for details on how to apply.
The Tatamagouche Centre usually hosts a week-long Community of Writers summer retreat each year. tatacent [at] tatacentre.ca (902) 657-2231 or 1-800-218-2220. RR # 3, Tatamagouche NS B0K 1V0.
The Great Blue Heron Writing Workshop offers mid-level writers inspiration and instruction in Antigonish, NS each summer. For information on this year's program, email gbheron [at] stfx.ca or phone (902) 867-4533.
The Sage Hill Writing Experience offers a series of summer workshops for adults and occasionally for teenagers. Contact sage.hill [at] sasktel.net for more information.
The Banff Centre for the Arts offers a plethora of courses on most genres. Scholarships are available. (403) 762- 6180. Box 1020, Station 28, 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff AB T0L 0C0
Marquis of Dufferin Seaside Inn offers weekend Workshops by artists and writers on the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia. For more information, please visit their website at: http://marquisofdufferinmotel.com/
Henson College in Halifax occasionally offers courses by correspondence: (902) 494-2526. 6100 University Avenue, Halifax NS B3H 3J5
Mount Saint Vincent University Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education: (902) 457-6243, Continuing.Education [at] msvu.ca.
NSCC Continuing Education: Part-time, evenings, weekends and online. Please visit www.coned.nscc.ca For information or to enroll in a class, contact: NSCC Admissions, (902) 491-4911 or Toll Free 1-866-679-6722.
The Humber School for Writers offers a Correspondence Program in Creative Writing. 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Toronto, ON, M8V 1K8
St. Mary's University occasionally offers very good creative writing courses through their Department of English. Call (902) 420-5701 for details or a course calendar.
Workshops held by other organizations are sometimes also listed on our events page.
Where Do Stories Come From? with Budge Wilson
Matter of Fact for Kids with Pam Hickman
Features that sell with donalee Moulton
Polishing the Stone (poetry) with Sue MacLeod
Form/Voice/Vision with Sheree Fitch
Pitching Information with Patricia Parsons
Romancing the Plot with Deborah Hale
