Spring/Summer Mindful Writing
Final spaces on two courses and a new course open for booking
Just a quick note from me about upcoming courses over the Spring and Summer.
As I navigate the recent sudden loss of my mother-in-law, which is my sixteenth bereavement since 2016, my mindfulness and mindful writing practice are helping me to healthily process my own grief and also be there for my husband and his sister. I’m so grateful that I discovered these tools.
We don’t focus on grief and loss in the courses I run, but everything you’ll learn will help you with these elements in your own life and in the lives of the characters you create.
The Mindful Fiction Course
There are still 2 spaces to join my Mindful Fiction course that starts next week. It runs in a private area of the Retreat West community space.
Or you can get this via email to work by yourself at your own pace and pay what you can afford between £20 and £50. Book that here.
Short Story Summer
There is just 1 space left on this 6-week Zoom course that starts on 5th June and runs on Monday afternoons from 14.30-16.30 UK time. Each session will feature a craft discussion and a close reading and analysis of a short story.
We will look at stories by Ted Chiang, Kirsty Logan, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kevin Barry and Ruth Ozeki.
In the first week, a writing assignment will be given and then over the next 5 sessions one writer will read their story written from that assignment and get detailed developmental feedback from me and the group.
There will be writing prompts given each week too and after the course is finished, you can send one of the other stories you write to me for detailed feedback to help you develop it further.
Storytelling with the Tao
Just opened for booking, this online course uses 6 chapters of the Tao Te Ching to inspire storytelling that speaks to what it means to be human, living now in our times.
The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text which is the basis for the Taoist philosophy and religion. It is believed to have been written around 400 BC by Laozi, who was a Chinese philosopher and writer. Also known as “The Book of the Way”, as Tao Te Ching translates roughly as “the way of integrity”, it is considered to be one of the most important books of spiritual literature and is thought to have been written to help restore peace and harmony to a kingdom where discord and disorder were rife.
The workshops are released every 2 weeks and are in a private area of the Retreat West Online Community for you to access 24/7 and work through whenever suits you best. You can post up stories you write from the prompts for feedback from the course tutor and the other writers on the course.
WHAT WRITERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE COURSE
As someone who is always aspiring to add more depth and meaning and optimism to my writing (and my life!) I found this course really beautiful. The content is thought-provoking and provides wonderful opportunities to reflect, and share with others, what is important in the craft, our writing and our lives.
RACHEL RIVETT
Before taking this course, I knew very little about the Tao and the idea of using it to stimulate creativity didn’t occur to me. As well as the craft lessons, writing prompts, and stories to read, this course has given me the tools to look more widely for ideas and consider more deeply when I’m reading. The reflections really resonated with me and I’ve got several stories I’m working on now.
ANNE MAGUIRE
I’m someone who is a bit wary of asking deep questions of myself. I need someone to hold my hand and this exploration of the Tao I found to be accessible and guided me to a new depth in my work. Who knew I could be spiritual too. Thanks Amanda.
MIKE MURRAY
Before taking this course I knew very little about the Tao. I did buy the book although you don’t need to as Amanda provides all the information needed. It is a lovely in-depth course with craft lessons and writing prompts around the story given. It will definitely give you lots of ideas and bring out your creative side and develop further. It is lovely to read what the other students come up with too.
HEATHER BONCEY
Hope to see you on one of them! If you know of any other writers who may be interested, please do let them know.