Are you a writer who wants to develop their work in and about nature?
This is an extraordinary invitation to a workshop series that explores and deepens your connection to nature and to yourself as a practicing or aspiring writer.
This is an eight-week journey with Alun Hughes that alternates between being outside and inside, breathing in and breathing out. The outdoor workshops derive primary source material from experiences in nature-based practices. These include exercises in sensory tuning, slowing down, listening to your environment, and are based in a journey around the four directions, a nature mapping tool known as the Four Shields of Human Initiation. There will be training in the use of techniques such as threshold, solo time and reciprocal, empathic listening via The Way of Counsel.
On the other side of these experiences, the insights and writing they bring, is a mutually supportive group focussed on each other’s development as writers. Each indoor workshop is held in a comfortable, concentrated space. We will examine a wide range of eco poetic writing collectively and, together we will share our work from the previous week outside for feedback, creative and critical, with the aim of supporting each other in creating work that pushes the boundaries of our writing potential.
It is hoped that the supportive bonds you make on this course will last beyond the series and that some of you may choose to continue writing together.
This course runs from March to May 2023 and is a commitment that will reward participants with a deeper and more profound connection to the land in their work. It consists of 8 half day intensive workshops - an indicative, more detailed schedule of locations and themes is given below.
Cost: £400. Book tickets via Eventbrite.
Please note that it is possible to use the ‘Pay in 3’ PayPal function on Eventbrite and break the cost down into 3 instalments. You can also pay instalments by bank transfer (email dialectwriters@gmail.com to arrange). Otherwise, please book here.
Tutor, Alun Hughes
Alun Hughes is a poet and singer living in Stroud, Gloucestershire. In 2020, he received a MA Creative Writing with Distinction from Bath Spa University. In 2021, he was a digital writer in residence with Dialect at the Cotswold Water Park and won third prize in the Troubadour International Poetry Competition. In 2022, he was shortlisted for the Laurie Lee Prize. Alun started working on land in 2000 as a farmhand on an organic farm just north of Lewes, Sussex. Since then, he has worked as a woodsman, yurt maker, hedge layer, teacher of woodland management and green woodwork. In 2008, he became involved in designing and facilitating courses in nature based practice and wilderness work. Alun’s poetry pamphlet Down the Heavens, is published by Yew Tree Press. Somewhere Somewhere, an album of nine poems from the collection to original soundtracks, made with the band Lensmen, is out now on the Irregular Patterns label.
Indicative schedule
Week 1
10/03/23 9 am - 2pm
Venue: Walking East. Slad Valley Return
Description: Beginnings in the East. Dreams of Spring.
~After an introduction to our journey around the Four Directions/ Shields, we will walk toward the sun’s rising where a new day or even life can be envisioned. On the way, nature tuning and methodologies of deep listening will be shared, including the techniques and practices of council, threshold, intention and solo time.
Week 2
17/03/22 10am – 1pm
Venue: Indoor tbc
Description: Making Home; Place making on shifting land.
~ In these times of transformation, the pace of change can shake our foundations. Half of this workshop will look at writing that speaks to making place in uncertain times. The other half will be a sharing of ongoing writing for group workshopping and development.
Week 3
24/03/23 9am- 2pm
Venue: Walking South Selsley Barrow to Coaley Peak return.
Description: Being the child.
~This exploration into the South, during which we will continue to practice tuning and listening, will focus on the child and their needs. This may be your inner child, your remembered childhood, a child you know or the children in general.
Week 4
31/03/23 10am-1pm
Venue: Indoor tbc
Description: The Grief House; writing into the Anthropocene.
~ In the times we are living through, it is hard to ignore the levels of deep grief that we are feeling for our home and the effects that we are having on it. Instead of shying away, this workshop’s intention is to immerse ourselves in writing that speaks directly to grieving, particularly in relation to the Anthropocene. This will be followed by the regular group workshopping and development of ongoing writing.
BREAK
Week 5
17/04/23 9am-2pm
Venue: Walking West from Nailsworth to Coaley Peak, return via Woodchester.
Description: Wild West. What is dying; the leaving and the left.
~ In the West, is Autumn, where dying is celebrated as an integral part of life’s cycle. On this walk, we will consider what needs to die in ourselves to make way for regeneration and renewal. What needs to end and be left behind?
Week 6
24/04/23 10am-1pm
Venue: Indoor tbc.
Description: Settling in with the troubles. Making peace.
~ This workshop will look at writing that attempts to come to terms with the times we are in, or maybe tries to find language to meet them. This will be followed by the regular group workshopping and development of ongoing writing.
Week 7
01/05/23 9am-2pm
Venue: Walking North. Painswick valley return
Description: The Beltaine bringing of clear vision. What needs to be done.
~ The North shield contains the adult. On Beltaine, we will walk toward a vision of responsibility, the love for others and the intention of listening for ‘what needs to be done’, both individually and in relation to our land and people.
Week 8
08/05/23 10am-1pm
Venue: Indoor tbc
Description: Regeneration and Renewal; Visionaries, hope and plain believers.
~ In this last workshop, we will concentrate our attention on seeds of hope, on regeneration and renewal. We will look at writing that makes these aspects of the life cycle primary. We will end with a sharing of work, visions moving forward and reflections on our journey together.
