Why Not Start a Writer’s Group?

If you’re looking for a way to meet fellow writers, share your words, get on stage, get comfortable public speaking, meet interesting people, adjust to a new town and make new friends, why not start a writer’s group?

A few years ago I started something called a Writer’s Cafe and had a blast! A group of us, usually different, but with a few regulars would meet at a local coffee shop and read from works in progress,  inviting critiques afterward.

We heard stories of a lifetime spent wine-making and working in the Hollywood lighting biz, a zen poem from a photographer, snippets of Proust from a twenty-something student, tales of home repair from a retired accountant, new age shamanistic writings from an Irish fiance, a spacecraft script from an animation teacher, wonderful musicals from a playwright, composer who would bring her guitar or play the piano to accompany all of us as we read from her script, tales of war from a sociology professor and once a guest appearance from a published poet who sang and played guitar. I used to read  'Lefty' poetry which accompanied my left handed drawings and then have folks re-create a Lefty pose, give themselves a funny name and write it on a Polaroid I snapped using their non dominant hand (see below)! All in all it was a great experience and I highly recommend it  for that extra oomph to help push your writing/speaking to new heights.

Read the Press Enterprise article in full here.

The Divine Feminine Flowering Full Moon Collage

To get things rolling for my brand new course - Awaken The Divine Feminine - which debuts on the upcoming new moon, March 15, 2010 I'm going to be sharing some exciting ideas that are a part of this course such as the Full Moon Collage (which is pictured here) and the New Moon Collage which I'll be posting in a few days time. I created this self study course especially for women to help awaken, inspire and engage your passionate, intuitive, creative selves through the creation of a Moon Musing Journal, Moon Collages and Moon Musing Exercises in honour of the new, full and waning moons.

I believe that the moon can help guide and challenge us to know and resonate with our instinctual, emotional selves in a balanced, harmonious and soulful way.

The course will start on the new moon of each month and includes four lessons plus a supplemental Moon Musing email specifically geared to the zodiac sign that the moon falls in for that particular month. My course is offered through the Wise Woman University which has lots of other interesting and goddess-oriented self-study programs as well, so stop on over and check things out!

If you have any questions about the course, please let me know and I'll be happy to respond here or via email.

Sam Maloof Home & Garden Tour

I recently took a guided tour of Sam & Alfreda Maloof's home and gardens in Alta Loma, California and was greatly inspired by their art and craft collection; everything from a 5.00 painting he had bought at a street show, ceramic bowls from all over (especially indigenous collections), a large doll collection, plenty of student artwork, a hand made canoe, actual carousel horses, brightly painted orange and pink walls (originally done in the 1950's) to large original paintings by well known artists - definitely worth a visit, if you're in the area!

Sam Maloof is acknowledged as one of the finest woodworkers of our time. As a leader of the California modern arts movement, he designed and produced furniture infused with profound artistic vision for more than half a century until his death in 2009.

Loads of art was sprinkled throughout the grounds.

He had carousel horses both inside and outside his home - so whimsical - I wonder if he carved these ones?

A persimmon tree bearing fall colours - I'd never seen one before!

I like how the plants were all labeled and there are plenty of garden events to participate in too.

At the end of the tour there is a chance to sit in one of Sam's chairs and yes, it does feel like a mother with her arms wrapped around you (we secretly took a photo of me in the chair - to be posted soon!)