The Voice of the Writer

Ian Ferrier at Smart Men Hot Words_ Calgary 2008_ Photo_Anushka Nag

WHEN: July 29th to August 2nd, 2013

WHERE: Main & Station, 168 Main Street, Parrsboro, NS

INSTRUCTOR:  Ian Ferrier, http://ianferrier.com/

“A fresh new voice!” This is often the first thing we hear, and the first thing we say to ourselves, whenever an original and powerful new author emerges.  Often this is because the author tackles new subject matter, or brings a new style or fresh insight into old.  But even more often we mean exactly what we say: We hear the author’s voice on every page. It is the engine that drives the work, the source of its originality and its beauty.

So what is happening here? Gutenberg changed voice into print over 550 years ago. In an era where print is still a huge force—electronically and on the page—how is it that voice still rules in literature?

This workshop is for writers who want to develop the range, beauty and breadth of their own voice. It sees print as the typescript for an unruly talker who breaks out of the page and announces her or his discoveries to the world.  It examines how even the most sophisticated writers in the language are grounded in voice, even if it is only a voice heard in the mind.  It is open to writers of poetry and prose as well as spoken word artists, to anyone looking at how to use a tool that still rules in the literature of the 21st century.

Ian Ferrier is a poet, writer and spoken word artist who thinks voice is the closest we get to how thought develops and moves.  A reader since early childhood, he still finds that the books he likes are the ones where he hears every word on the page. In this workshop he’ll make some unusual stops, listening for the authentic in voice, and looking at pacing, vocabulary, classic literature and Youtube for examples of how to use it.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE AND STRUCTURE

Workshop participants are expected to do their own writing in the mornings.  In the afternoons we’ll meet to present and discuss workshop content. Supper is early in Parrsboro, so we break at 5 and then return at 6:30 to wrap up the day and take a look at what will be presented and expected the next day.  On the final day of the workshop we’ll stop at 4 instead of 5PM. That evening we’ll do a public show where participants are encouraged to present the work they like the best.

 

Monday July 29th: Introduction: 3pm – 6pm

Tuesday July 30th:  2pm -5pm & 6:30pm – 8pm

Wednesday July 31st:  2pm -5pm & 6:30pm – 8pm

Thursday August 1st:  2pm -5pm & 6:30pm – 8pm

Friday August 2nd:  2pm -4pm; participant presentations 7pm – 9pm

 

FEES AND REGISTRATION

Cost/Student – $300.00 + hst = $345.00

CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED – REGISTER NOW!

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE !!!

Register by June 21st and pay only a $200.00  + hst = $230.00

Please fill in the form below and send your payment to reserve your place. A confirmation email will be sent to confirm your registration and receipt of your payment.

 

PAYMENT OPTIONS

    1. If you wish to pay with by credit card, click the PayPal ADD TO CART button below.
    2. Pay the easy way with an Interac e-Transfer: simply go to your online bank and send a transfer to [email protected].
    3. If you wish to pay by cheque, mail it to Main & Station, 168 Main Street, PO Box 507, Parrsboro, Nova Scotia B0M 1S0

Please don’t forget to fill in the registration form above so that we can reserve your place immediately.




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  1. Pingback: Writing Workshops with Ian Ferrier | Main & Station

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