One Spark - Multiple Expressions
Shapeshifters, shifting shapes and the joys of in-person events
It was so good to host an in-person workshop/meetup in February for the first time in, well, since pre-pandemic actually. I regularly hosted in-person events for ten years in the form of workshops, courses, women’s circles and retreats, then brought everything online in 2019. Only now am I venturing offline and back into the real world of human connections through my work and oh am I feeling excited about it! (I’ve had plenty of non-work-related connections in the meantime).
I’m also enjoying the hybrid method of connecting with people near and far online as well as focusing on nature and people in place. There is richness in both experiences in different ways and I’ll be continuing with offerings in all spaces.
In our last HYDRATE creative writing workshop (online and in an Edinburgh cafe), our theme was ‘mystical, spiritual, witches, nature and magic’ - some of my favourite topics to write on and for many of the women who joined.
This little vignette came from a word oracle exercise…
I could smell the pine cones warming in the sun, sweet and edible. Clear, rushing spring carrying them towards the loch; ducks pecking and loch trout poking. Lichen-crusted birch branches hanging, like winter frost. Small insects resting, then dropping into water - fish delight in food falling from the heavens; this perfect system of the universe that feeds and nourishes cycles of birth, life and death.
A prompt on shapeshifters…
In the dark forest, she curled by the rowan bush beneath moonlight - her milk skin crackling, tiny bones protruding from her arms. Her body, blackening with glossy feathers, caws emerging from a mouth, shapeshifting by night.
Growing into a poem…
Shapeshifter
I was a milk-skinned young thing
but don’t be fooled,
we are wise.
By night
I navigate treetops
beneath stars.
Nesting high
we cluster; cackling, cawing.
Flocking together,
we merge, like a black river
and cover the moon.
My clan fight
for our share of
terrified mice hiding.
I wait -
patient,
quite cunning,
sharp, sly, maverick -
I am crow.
I share these (rough) snippets as pockets of possibility - of where a spark can take us and how one prompt can evolve one idea into different forms of expression or splinter into many ideas.
How could pieces you create fold into a story, spark a chapter scene, find form in a poem, or simply allow you to discover something about yourself?
In the past, I’ve created paintings from poems that also became songs - paintings that featured jewellery detail in them (I used to be a jewellery designer), a book that sprouted online courses, and workshop content that inspired fictional stories. Creative ideas can be woven in multiple ways when we listen to where ideas want to land and what form/s fits the essence of them.
It can be genuinely surprising what one simple prompt can alight within us and where it can lead with some encouragement. The potential of which is amplified within a group. There’s something magical about the group ‘field’ - an alchemy stirred by the unique constellation of each particular person who brings their special ‘flavour’, the language of their presence. It’s not repeatable and this opens us to new discoveries every time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
HYDRATE is coming up online next week on Tuesday 12th at 7pm UK time -
For the first time, I'm announcing the theme in advance as I know many of you will love this one...we'll be exploring The Language of Nature (also a chapter from my book) in this workshop - a place where many of us go to feel deeply hydrated, inspired and peaceful and, to feel our true nature.
Join us here to explore the sensory world of nature through your writing.
A few lovely participants shared their experience of joining HYDRATE:
This was a beautiful workshop, I really believe in creativity as a process of self-discovery, especially as women, so this was a real treat. Great prompts and gentle facilitation. {After the workshop I felt} Great! Surprised and stimulated. - Gwen – HYDRATE – Edinburgh In-Person Creative Writing Workshop.
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you Jane for facilitating the workshop it was a very engaging, worthwhile experience. I truly felt at ease with the group and you as facilitator! – Roisin – HYDRATE – Edinburgh In-Person Creative Writing Workshop.
I loved the Hydrate online workshop! It allowed me to set aside allocated time to write and be inspired. I found the theme and prompts offered gave me much to ponder and write about and I felt inspired and excited to continue forwards on my writing journey. Thank you Jane! I will be back! - Kim – HYDRATE Online Creative Writing Workshop.
Join us online for March 12th HYDRATE here.
with love for your weekend,