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Upcoming dates Change of dates: A GRIEF OBSERVED Rescheduled for October 6, 13, 20 & 27 See below! COME WRITE WITH ME ENDING... COME WRITE WITH JACK CONTINUING! See below! COME WRITE WITH ME RETREATS ENDING... I'll write here what I've written under come write with me in case you didn't see it there: "All good things come to an end." It's an old English proverb and one I have used almost a decade ago now, in a letter to friends and congregants. Then, about to turn fifty, I decided it was time to leave full time professional ministry and begin writing with all of you. Now, about to turn sixty I know it is time again to choose a different path. The impetus for this change is the clearer and clearer recognition that time is slipping away. The decades go by in a blink and I'm feeling a new urgency to get serious about practicing what I preach. It's time to focus on my own writing life. To give it priority. These have been wonderful years. Leading groups and retreats has enabled me to meet and know so many fine writers and caring people. And what a gift it has been for me to have people with whom to share quotes and insights gleaned from books about writing craft and the writing life. Thank you for receiving all my many handouts. They will miss me at Kinkos! I may from time to time offer a writing retreat. Just for the delight of seeing some of you again. I'll let you know if I'm planning something. In the meantime - I'll be canceling all other offerings for this year. I will continue to offer Grief Observed once or twice a year to benefit Hospice. And I will continue to host Jack Ridl's workshops as long as he cares to offer them. I do this because of late I find myself drawn more and more to writing poetry. And also because Jack is my kind of teacher. The kind that encourages and nurtures those of us struggling to come to expression – on the page. At this point in my life, it is a much more pleasurable way to learn craft than enrolling in an MFA program! So - thank you for these very good years. And thank you too, to Pat Schneider who was the invisible presence in all out circles of writing. Her method made us "want to write more" and kept us safe. We will write together again, either with Jack, or perhaps at some "reunion" retreat in the future. Until then - keep writing. It is the gift we give to ourselves. The gift that keeps on giving when we share it with others. Colette A GRIEF OBSERVED/WRITING ABOUT LOVE AND LOSS - October 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2010 You have stories to tell - about important people in your life, about yourself, about the journey of grief. Putting pen to paper can capture those stories - the ones you can't forget, the ones you want others to remember. No writing experience needed. No writing homework. Just time, once a week to explore how our lives have been touched by those we have loved and lost. Come write with us, mourning and celebrating the stories and truths that sustain us. (It is recommended that your most recent loss be more than one year prior to participation in a Grief Observed writing group.) If you would be interested in this group or know of someone who might benefit please feel free to contact: comewritewithme@gmail.com When: Wednesdays, 7 - 9 p.m. Dates: May 19, 26, June 2 & 9 Where: First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St., Holland, MI Cost: $15 (Checks made out to First Presbyterian Church) Limited to 8. To register: email comewritewithme@gmail.com Deadline for registration: May 19, 2010 Again - to register for or to further inquire about any of the above you can contact me at comewritewithme@gmail.com VISITING WRITERS / COME WRITE WITH JACK - 2010 We've settled now, after two years of working together, into what we think will be a good flow of offerings. Each January, Jack will offer his EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT POETRY workshop. It's been well attended for two years now. But we always here, at the end of the day, "We'd love more!" So each March or April Jack will offer LEARNING FROM SOME MASTERS, a shortened version of similar courses he has long taught. (see below for more information.) And then next, perhaps in May or June, Jack will offer "REVISION AS RE-VISION." That was offered this year and lovers of poetry from across the experience spectrum benefited greatly! (See below for more information on this as well.) Thus - we've developed a three-part series if you will - which we'll offer each year. Don't think you have to take them in sequential order all in one year. Though that could be a fine way to more intentionally commit to making poetry a part of your writing life. And in addition of course, Jack offers his once a month poetry workshop, June - October, called Landscapes of Poetry. At this time - most of the original 12 participants are still participating and thus there are no openings for 2010. But that may change in coming years, as some participants move on and out of the workshop. Or, Jack is considering some other options which he'll muse on this year. Either a second workshop or some other way to more easily incorporate new participants. So - read on and see what's up for 2010 (and actually an advance notice of the next EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT POETRY in January of 2011. It's never too early to sign up!) EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING POETRY BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK - ADVANCE NOTICE! - Saturday, January 22, 2011 For those who have never had the privilege of taking a course or introductory event with Jack Ridl - this is a day of sheer pleasure. Jack is a dynamic teacher and a dynamite poet. For those who felt like novices, he'll put you at ease and set your pen on fire. For those more experienced, another look at the basics might give you a fresh way to look again at your poetry works in progress. What;s more - this introductory session is the way in to Jack's other offerings - Landscapes, an ongoing, once a month poetry workshop. A prerequisite that assures that when we gather we stand on common poetic ground. (See below for more details on Landscapes of Poetry.) There will be no pressure to write a "terrific" poem; however you will leave with poems well on their way. This day WILL emphasize the elements and approaches to writing a poem as well as give you prompts and ways to develop your writing further after our time together. When: Saturday, January 22, 2011 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m Where: A Come Write with Me event hosted by Colette Volkema DeNooyer on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland, MI. Cost: $150.00 (Includes lunch) All checks made out to Jack Ridl Limited to 15. To register email: comewritewithme@gmail.com for registration form. A non-refundable $50 deposit required with registration assures your participation. (Balance in full due: Jan 8, 2010) NEW! LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS - March 13, 2010 A perfect follow-up session if you've just taken Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Poetry But Were Afraid to Ask!. Though anyone who has taken Jack's other offerings will benefit from this workshop. This is what Jack says about his new offering: "Here's an opportunity to spend some time as an apprentice with a group of master poets. During our day together, we will take a close look at some contemporary poets, noticing what it is in particular that distinguishes their work. There will be no pressure at all to compose an accomplished poem while we are together. The idea is for all of us to 'learn by noticing and trying out' and in that way enriching our own writing and also gaining a deeper appreciation of the various poets' visions and artistry." Come join us! When: Saturday, March 13, 2010 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Where: A Come Write with Me event hosted by Colette Volkema DeNooyer on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland, MI. Cost: $150.00 (includes lunch) All checks made out to Jack Ridl Limited to 15. To register email: comewritewithme@gmail.com for registration form. A non-refundable $50 deposit required with registration assures your participation. (Balance for either option due: October 31, 2009) REVISION AS RE-VISION - May 8, 2010 Vision-ing Again. That's what jack Ridl will explore with us. Here's what he says, "Without ever having to discard our original drafts or even finished poems, we'll rearrange, amplify, discard. We'll alter tones and voices points of view, images and even themes. We'll re-title, extend lines, break lines for new effects, make a creative mess of things and then see if we can come up with ways to decide what version to keep. Or discover we have a whole set of poems!" During our day together there will be time for writing and re-writing, for conversation about our poems and their re-visions as well as our personal writing concerns. Bring 3-5 of your own poems that you would like to work with and join us for a great good time! When: Saturday, May 8, 2010 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Where: A Come Write with Me event hosted by Colette Volkema DeNooyer on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland, MI. Cost: $150.00 ( includes lunch) All checks made out to Jack Ridl Limited to 15. To register email: comewritewithme@gmaicom for registration form. A non-refundable $50 deposit required with registration assures your participation. (Balance for either option due: April 30, 2010) THE LANDSCAPES OF POETRY - 2010 (Monthly June - October) We continue our Visiting Writers series with poet Jack Ridl, meeting monthly from June through October. A gathering of 12 poetry writers who will explore the landscapes of poetry as the stunning landscape around us moves from summer to autumn. The sessions will offer insights into approaches to writing a poem, appointed times to respond to one another's poems in ways that lead to discovery and application to one's own work, as well as time for conversation about writing concerns. Each session Jack will take one poem from every participant, responding to it in detail before the next session. New this year! At the conclusion of these five sessions, Jack will offer an optional private conversation about about submitted poetry with each participant. If you choose this one hour additional session, Jack hopes that you will "lead," meaning direct him as to helpful input regarding your poetry, or poetry in general, your writing, teaching, publishing and more. (Cost: $75 due at time of conference) And also - if interested - mark February 3, 2011 on your 2011 calendar for a "re-union" evening. This too is optional - but as Jack puts it: "We'll see what you've been up to since we last met. Some may have written 211 new pieces, others may have fallen into the old abyss of "I can't come up with anything!" We'll get the fires going again in our poetry fireplaces. We'll get back in touch with what matters to you, look at what may be getting between you and your own writing and of course, be among others who share this crazy love of poetry." (Cost: $75 due January 30, 2010) When: Thursdays 6:30 - 9 pm Dates: June 24, July 22, August 19, September 30 & October 21. Where: Shores of Lake Michigan, Holland, MI. Cost: $350.00 Limited to 12. Optional conference: $75– due at the time of the conference. Optional "Re-union" gathering: $75 - due January 30, 2010) All checks made out to Jack Ridl. Limited to 12. To register email: comewritewithme@gmail.com for registration form. Non-refundable $50 deposit required with registration (balance due: June 4, 2009) <back to list |
