A writing workshop–Stephen T. Berg

Orion Magazine is an ad-free, literary magazine that digs beneath and addresses the environmental issues of the day, while trying to bring us back to an awareness of place. At Orion you'll find authors and activists like Bill McKibben and Derrick Jensen laying out startling evidence of environmental degradation as well as corrective courses of action, and you'll find contributing editors like poet Wendell Berry and novelist Barbara Kingsolver, touching on the spiritual connection we have with our earth, and so, our concomitant responsibility for true stewardship. Perhaps you've gathered that I'm an avid fan of Orion.

Last year I discovered that the magazine sponsored a writer's workshop: one week at historic Sterling College in Vermont, with 30 other writers from across North America, two editors from Orion, and three authors/teachers. Writers are selected on the basis of an essay and a cover letter. My application was successful. I was informed of this on April 1, so of course I double checked the validity of the correspondence.

I elected to study under poet Alison Deming Hawthorne (Nathaniel Hawthorne's great-great-granddaughter). To receive finely articulated critique as well as credit from her, was, you'll understand, a highlight. In all, an idyllic week.

There's a problem with this of course. As we all know, after coming back from a rewarding conference or workshop, the reality of the blank page seems twice as daunting. But we also know that something has been added.

The Wildbranch Writing experience encouraged me to step out and apply myself in the face of what I may think are insurmountable odds. It has given me some confidence that I can write, but it has also helped me experiment with style and form, voice and method, which in turn has helped focus my writing, find my place.

My encouragement then is simple: that retreat, workshop, writer's circle, course, you always wanted to take or try...well, give it a (another) shot.

growmercy.org

The Spiritual Side of Writing - Bonnie Way

When Dr. Richard Wagamese told us—a class of thirty-some-odd mostly Caucasian writing students—that he was going to do a traditional Aboriginal smudging ceremony with us, I was at first uncertain.  What did smudging have to do with writing?  And was it okay for me, a life-long Christian and a Catholic convert, to partake in such a ceremony?

My curiosity (and my record for never missing class) won out over my doubts.  Gathered in the large ceremonial room with my classmates, I watched as Dr. Wagamese prepared for the ceremony.  As he did so, he explained the spiritual side of writing.  Every morning, he began his day as a working writer by taking a few moments to prepare spiritually.  While for him this involved the smudging ceremony of his ancestors, he encouraged each of us to find our own spirituality.

As he talked, I found his words creating an ache in my heart.  There had been a time in my writing when I noticed a connection between the amount of time I spent reading God's Word and the amount of time I spent hammering away at my keyboard.  Somehow, those moments of prayer and holy reading had ideas popping into my head faster than popcorn on a hot frying pan.  When I neglected that quiet time, my writing became laborious and slow.

While I learned many things in Dr. Wagamese's class, the thing that impacted me the most was his lesson in that ceremonial room.  The other lessons were for my head—concrete how-to-write tips and suggestions.  This lesson was for my heart—the place from which my writing must spring if it is going to touch readers.  If my heart isn't in tune with its Creator, then it doesn't matter how well I apply the other pointers Dr. Wagamese gave us.

As a Christian writer, I must remember to put "Christian" before "writer."  To take time to nourish my soul before I seek to nourish others.  To listen to what God is telling me so that I can pass His message to others.  To find the source of my creativity in my Creator so that I can encourage others to do the same.

~ © Bonnie Way (aka The Koala Bear Writer)

The Voice of Truth - by Janet Sketchley

Gentle instrumental music and soft lighting drew me into the massage therapy room, and I felt my muscles loosen slightly just because of the atmosphere. A book on a side table drew my eye: Listening.

Soothing title. I walked closer and read the subtitle: “How to increase your awareness of your inner guide.”

Suddenly I didn’t feel so relaxed. I climbed onto the massage table with the sense of being in dangerous territory, and began to pray.

Lord, thank You that I dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and the Spirit of the Most High dwells in me. I’m safe in Your presence.

The Spirit of the Most High dwells in me.... I guess in the language of generic spirituality, that means the Holy Spirit is my “inner guide.” And yes, I do need to learn how to hear Him better.

We have lots of voices that try to direct us, and most are anything but helpful. Selfish desires are bad enough, but we’ve let even worse things in. As the Lord has been teaching me to listen to Him, He’s been evicting the lies I’ve accepted, the fears that have grown bold and vocal.

Father, please continue to silence the voices that would lead us astray. Tune your children’s ears to hear Your still, small voice. You see the souls reaching out for some kind of spiritual contact, looking everywhere but at You, and You love them. In Your grace and mercy, please help them recognize who You are. Give them faith to believe in You.

© Janet Sketchley, 2009
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.