Funny how things come to you in the night. I keep a pen and paper by the bed so I can jot down ideas or dreams, because they vanish so quickly. Last night, believe it or not, I had a powerful dream about falling in love with a young hockey player called Frank Mahovilich. Yes, it’s true, and I don’t even know what Frank looked like in his prime; it was Guy Lafleur I had a crush on. Frank asked me to marry him. Aren’t dreams amazing?
But right afterwards, floating in and out of sleep, I had a grand notion. As those of you following this blog know, I have a beautiful secret garden right in the heart of downtown Toronto. Suddenly I thought – I’d like to invite writers here. I had an image of people sitting and writing throughout my garden.
And I had the idea of setting up one day intensive writing workshops in the summer – a day of on-the-spot work to give writers a creativity boost, a charge of companionship, inspiration, comfort, feedback, direction. Perhaps I’d run one on a Saturday in July and another on a Sunday in August – from 10 to 5. I’d ask Wayson to come and speak, and I’d get my daughter the fabulous cook to cater a big healthy lunch. It would be a chance not only to dig into your writing heart and exercise your skills, but to meet other writers and to discuss where you are now and where you’d like to go – and how to get there.
What do you think? Would any of you out there be interested? I’d need a certain number of people to make it worthwhile. For people from out of town, I could suggest nearby inns or b and b’s; you could combine the workshop with a Toronto weekend or go on to the Stratford or Shaw Festivals.
Let me know what you think. I’ll work out specific details later, but I do think I’ll go ahead with at least one. Exciting! If it rains, being inside the house will be fun too.
And maybe, if we’re lucky, Frank Mahovilich will come and say hello.
7 Responses to “new idea for writing workshops – feedback requested”
Beth, here’s a little article on Frank that you might enjoy reading:
http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/mahovlich.html
Enjoy!
Lynnie
Lynnie, thank you very much for that. I’m sorry for misspelling his name. Who knew that Frank was “shy and sensitive”? And adorable – at least, back then. That’s the face and form I saw in my dream. How extremely odd, because nowhere in my conscious mind did I know one single thing about Frank Mahovlich. Perhaps I should forget Paul McCartney and start watching hockey.
Hi Beth,
I think this is a wonderful idea! I would definitely be interested, and my mother actually rents out rooms over the summer, which could be one of the options for out-of-towners.
I’ll keep checking back on your blog, because a day of inspiration and writing would be wonderful!
Christine
Hi Christine:
As you’ll see in the latest blog, I’ve set a date and time. I hope it works for you; please let me know. If not, I will be doing another one in August. And i would certainly let people know about your mother’s rooms if anyone needs a place to stay.
Happy writing.
Beth
Hi Beth!
thanks! Yes, the day MAY work for me… so I will have to let you know. I was actually hoping to take your course at UofT in July, but I’m having a small problem preventing me from signing up so far.. At the very least I hope to make it to your one day workshop. Will there be a particular theme for it?
Christine
Hi Beth!
thanks! Yes, the day MAY work for me… so I will have to let you know. I was actually hoping to take your course at UofT in July, but I’m having a small problem preventing me from signing up so far.. At the very least I hope to make it to your one day workshop. Will there be a particular theme for it?
Christine
Christine, I’m sorry, I didn’t check back and get your reply – hope you get this. The theme for the one day workshops is … get back in touch with your creative self and learn to trust your voice and your story. Connecting with other writers and getting positive feedback are sometimes rare things for isolated scribes. So here’s your chance. Stay tuned for other dates.
beth