My friend Catherine Brooks, who I met about a year ago when she partnered with a few other folks1 to offer the WonderLit retreat based on Collisions of Earth and Sky in Concord MA last spring, has a new series that starts January 28. The Dead of Winter events are meant to “inspire and bring us back to life in the dark days of winter.”
The first in this series, which will be held in person in West Acton, MA is called Stand By Me: A January Dead of Winter Event Celebrating Sacred Nature, Inspired Literature, and Vibrant Local Food. Wendell Berry’s story, Stand By Me, is the literary prescription.
Though I won’t be able to attend, as I’ll be in Minnesota rather than in New England for the rest of winter, Catherine’s description of one of the things they’ll be doing during the event stood out to me as something I want to ensure I’m doing regularly.
We will gather first in nearby woods to look for signs of life in a forest fast asleep for the winter.
What a simple thing, but what a gift: taking time to look for proof of life in the season of dormancy.
In my Writing the Wild class, we’re leaning into stillness, and rest, and what creation looks like from the foundation of deep winter. Rilke’s Book of Hours is our text for January. On page 43, I read the words, “I feel it now: there’s power in me | to grasp and give shape to my world.”
So I consider Catherine’s invitation, to seek out proof of life in dormant woods, and Rilke’s nudge to feel the power within, the power to give shape to our world, no matter what the season. In the class, one of our prompts is to write a daily haiku, so here’s one that rose from Rilke’s line.
Give shape to your world
Make it a place to be free
Moment by moment
……and proof of life, in the January woods that I call home.
Finally, a word on some upcoming events:
Special Workshop Online with Heidi Barr — Wednesday, January 17, 7:00-8:00 pm ET
Join us for this special workshop featuring poetry, meditation, and exercises around ceremonies of the ordinary. You will end the session with at least one 'ordinary ritual' to practice during the rest of January. Sessions are free for all to attend thanks to member donations.
The Book-Writing Lab: A Panel Conversation + Q&A with Kaitlin Curtice, Osheta Moore, and Heidi Barr
Monday, 2/12 10-11:30am PST
In today's world, there are many ways to get our writing in front of an audience, but there's nothing quite like the feel of a book in your hands. What does it look like to write a book? What are some of the practical how-tos, like how to organize your time or your ideas? Do you have to find an agent? What about self-publishing, or working with a small indie press? How does the publication process unfold?
Join Osheta Moore, Kaitlin Curtice, and Heidi Barr for a conversation demystifying the process of writing a book. Learn from each of their unique experiences with writing books, then join in for a Q&A moderated by Krissy Kludt to have your questions answered.
Cost: $50 Writing the Wild Cohort Member Cost: $30
Including Kim the owner of a lovely bookshop: https://www.monkeysread.com/