Call out your Inner Writer -
A two-day workshop with Lindsey Dawson
Enjoy your creativity, get to know your strength and boost your confidence in expressing your own truth.
Fee: $175 inc gst
Course outline
Welcome to Thoughts that Roar, Words that Sing - a two-day weekend programme that aims to lift your spirits and increase your confidence in expressing what you have to say and write.
This is a time in history when many people are seeking to grow and stand tall rather than just go along with the herd. Because writing is such a great tool for self-discovery, this weekend could be a turning point in your own search for greater fulfilment. I bring to this course all I've learnt in 30 years of writing and editing, along with insights gleaned on my own long search for what it is I'm supposed to be doing in my own life.
That is word spinning. And story sharing. And truth telling. I'd love for you to come and take part in a process that will help all of us take a step up in "owning" who we are, with all our rich talents and interesting foibles.
Why should we do this? After all, in these high-tech times, most of us get our entertainment and soul food ready-made, courtesy Hollywood and the news networks.
But many people still love picking up a pen or settling at the computer and filling blank space with words that well up from that mysterious place inside us called "me".
The trouble is that we're being "got at" every day by modern media and so much of what we absorb is trite and shallow. It still affects us though, whether we're aware of it or not, and so when we sit down to write all that usually comes out of us is a welter of lightweight fluff or bleak cynicism.
Don't you yearn to express yourself in words that are honest, real and true? We have no less need than our ancestors did to pour our hearts out on paper - sometimes just for our own pleasure but also for public consumption. This means including fun and laughter as well as earnest debate. It's important to realise that life is one big sit-com with us playing all the parts!
Writing meaningful words means creating sentences that ring with authenticity. They reveal who you truly are. This workshop will strengthen your courage to record deep feelings, big joys and ardent dreams in a way that comes straight from your soul or higher self.The weekend will:
- Discover blocks that may be cramping your flow
- Affirm your inner strength
- Create safe space in which to recall and relish your life's experiences
- Learn to value your wisdom
- Encourage gratitude for your life - even the hard parts
- Reveal what a shining light you are
The mood will be relaxed and friendly. I'll supply drinks and snacks for breaks but you bring your own lunch, or maybe take a break at a local cafe. There'll be some good group and one-on-one discussions and, of course, time to write from the heart. You can also expect to be 'heartened' by the contributions of everyone on the course. Somehow, a little magic seems to happen when like-minded people get together like this.
DAY ONE
Session One - Connecting With Each Other and With Language
Saturday, 9.30 am - 4pm
In this first session we'll start to get to know fellow participants and set in place our wishes and intentions. We'll begin to pull out of our head space and more into the heart area as we set out on the voyage of learning to use writing (or indeed any other form of word-based communication) to express our inner wisdom and gain fresh appreciation for the drama of our lives.
We'll begin to tackle some short writing pieces to limber up the flow. You might also share some of them with the group. The topics I give you might be serious or wistful but also funny and outrageous. I like laughter around the table! This day is about letting yourself say it like it is. Reading out loud sounds scary, but this is the most valuable part of doing the weekend, as you gain confidence and realise that what you're thinking and writing really is okay.
Session Two - Cracking the Shell, Going with the Gut
Sunday, 9.30 am - 4pm
Today we'll really get cracking on writing meaningful things. Sometimes, the barriers to creativity and honesty lie in key moments from earlier in your life. During this session we'll work at recognising feelings that may be limiting your creativity and success. Perhaps some long-ago comment may have given you the idea that your words weren't worth listening to. I want you to take away the knowledge that your words are very much worthwhile.
The day will also allow time for talking about writers whose work blows us away, and why. We'll also realise what mighty strengths we've also been building as we've lived our lives. And how important it is for us to share the great words that can come out of our own hearts and minds.
At day's end we'll reflect on some of our discoveries and then wind up the workshop in a way that will help you reinforce your strength to keep working at your writing and all the other things you love to do in life.
Best of all, now you'll be penning words that glow.
Hope to see you there! Best wishes,
Lindsey Dawson
To register or request more info, contact Lindsey at lindseyoutloud@xtra.co.nz or phone her at (09) 4264362 or on mobile 021 159 9309.
Feedback from Participants
"Wow - thank you ever so much for a wonderful weekend. I would describe my learning as ever so subtle, yet totally profound. I am delighted with the results. Absolutely delighted. I now know my book will be completed!" - Brenda Kirk.
"Thank you so much for such a gently powerful weekend. It was fun to write in a facilitated context and I am sure we all learned heaps - I know I did. I have a renewed relationship with writing again and I thank you for that." - Amanda Fleming.
"I really enjoyed your course and want.part two? It's really interesting now, when memories jump forward, to expand on them and allow the picture to unfold more with smells and expressions and feelings. I can begin to understand how to put it all into words." - Donna Rose Hall.
"I had a fantastic time. You have such a lovely relaxed style of running a workshop. One of the things that I have gained from the workshop is the understanding that writing is a bit like art. Everyone interprets things in their own way. For example, when we wrote a letter to New Zealand, every one of them was so different and so beautifully written as well." - Jeni Kearns.
"You are truly a magician the way you weave your magic. Lindsey, you're an awesome facilitator. Thank you so much." - Paul Kirk
© Copyright 2009-2010 Lindsey Dawson