Quebec Writers' Federation Workshops

Spring Session 2011

STRANGER IN A FRESH GREEN WORLD*: A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR POETIC SOULS WHO ADORE NATURE AND WALKING

*The phrase "Stranger in a Fresh Green World" is from Raymond Souster’s "Get the Poem Outdoors."

Friday, May 18, 5:00 p.m. to Sunday May 20 at 2:00 p.m.

Manoir d'Youville: 498, boul. d'Youville,
Île Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay QC
Maximum number of retreat participants: 12
Deadline for Registration & Payment: March 30, 2011
Workshop leader: Shelley A. Leedahl

Cost: $280, room with shared bathroom, includes 6 meals from dinner Friday evening through lunch on Sunday
Optional: room with private bath for $30 extra while they last

Back by popular demand!

Join multi-genre writer Shelley A. Leedahl for a dynamic weekend of writing-on-location. We will take the advice of Raymound Souster and “Get the Poem Outdoors.”  Poets, fiction and nonfiction writers are equally welcome. All that’s discussed can be applied to any genre, and writers may modify the exercises to suit their preferred genre.

You will receive encouragement and gain inspiration through readings, discussions, and critiques in a picturesque, rural setting. The focus is on walking and crafting nature-inspired poems. Several springboard exercises will be offered, and ample time is allocated for solitary walking and writing. Six meals (dinner Friday through lunch Sunday) and single-room occupancy lodging (with shared bathrooms) are provided from Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. through Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Friday’s dinner will be followed by Leedahl’s address on the subjects of walking, writing, and place. Bring paper and pens for a meditation exercise designed to break the senses wide open. Reading material will be distributed.

After Saturday’s breakfast, we will gather for an hour-long experiential walk (participants are randomly paired and will take turns being led blindfolded for 20 - 30 minutes each) and writing response. Lunch will be followed by a brief discussion and fun writing exercises. You will have the remainder of the afternoon to walk and write, and Saturday features an atmospheric nocturnal walk. You are welcome to schedule a 30 minute one-on-one session with the workshop leader to receive feedback on up to 10 pages of work previously submitted (see deadline below) or for general writing-related discussion.

Optional writing exercises will be presented on Sunday after breakfast. Free time to walk, to write, or to meet with Leedahl continues until departure at 2:00 p.m.

Pre-retreat:
• Participants are invited to e-mail the workshop leader (shelleyaleedahl@gmail.com) with up to 10 pages of work (any genre) for critique. This material must be received by April 13th.
• Participants are required to bring writing materials (including computer), flashlights, clipboard and paper, and good walking shoes. Magnifying glasses, bird and plant books, and cameras are suggested. Musical instruments: certainly!

Dates of Retreat:

Friday, May 18, 2012(Check-in from 2:00 p.m., Activities begin at 5:00 p.m.)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012 (Optional activities after breakfast; check-out time 11:00 a.m., lunch will be served; optional activities continue until departure at 2:00 p.m.)

Shelley A. Leedahl has been writing poetry, essays, stories, and novels almost since she learned to walk. Much of her work is walking and nature-inspired, and her poetry is often written on location (in woods, fields, forests, in Canadian communities, in small European villages, on beaches or in her own garden and rooms). Her ten books include Listen, Honey; Wretched Beast; The House of the Easily Amused; Orchestra of the Lost Steps; Talking Down the Northern Lights; A Few Words For January; and The Bone Talker. She recently began producing multi-media works which incorporate poetry, song, still photography and video. A long-time Saskatchewan resident and active member of western Canadian writing communities, Leedahl currently lives on BC’s Sunshine Coast. For more info on her work, see www.writersunion.ca.

Cancellation policy

QWF must book and pay for all rooms and we are subject to a strict cancellation policy, which must pass along to any workshop participants who cancel their registrations:
• Cancellations before April 25 – 50% refund
• Cancellations after April 25 – no refund
• Exception: If someone from the waiting list takes a vacated spot, the cancelling participant will receive a full refund, minus the non-refundable $15 registration fee that applies to all workshops.

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