Hello hello,
I know you are probably thinking that poetry is dead because it’s 2024 and potatoes cost $7121 each and nobody has time to brush their teeth, let alone think a thought, let alone write something down.
But friends, I have written before about how if the world is ending then I’ll still be making art, and I stand by that. Because I happen to believe that one of the very best things we can be doing as a species right now is slowing down and opening our senses.
Sure, I could try sitting in meditation, breathing in the smell of the world burning around me. But I’d much rather be writing. Let me be clear: I’d much rather be writing with you.
Writing helps me to take in the world, in all its peculiar and painful and pulchritudinous details. (Yes pulchritudinous is a real word. I looked up a synonym for ‘beautiful’ starting with ‘p’ because I like alliteration and this is what Google gave me. It’s not the right word and probably doesn’t even make sense here, but I’m just gonna leave it in there, because who has time for perfection).
Anyway, the whole reason that I’m writing to you for the second time this week is that I’m very excited to announce I will be running my 10 week poetry course ‘Path of the Poetic Heart’ starting March 14th 2024!
(Here is the spot where I tried for a full 23 minutes to insert a gif of an excited-looking inflatable cactus eating a cake made out of dirt but I couldn’t figure out how to make it work so you’ll just have to imagine it).
‘Path of the Poetic Heart’ is an intimate 10 week online group programme for sensitive and courageous humans to awaken the power of their inner poets so that they can experience the freedom of potent and joyful self-expression through creative writing, and write a pile of poems they are proud of.
This is for you if:
You long to write poetry (whether you consider yourself a 'writer' or a ‘poet’ or not)
You want to feel deeply connected to your inner and outer worlds and fluidly self-expressed through words
Creative writing is something that lights you up, but you find yourself procrastinating, feeling blocked, uninspired, or inhibited
You’ve tried writing alone, but you struggle to get into a state of flow and stay there
You crave a support system to consistently get alive, potent words on the page, and craft them into forms that feel good
When you sign up to work intimately with the (dumpster) fire of creativity, anything can happen! My hope and intention when you go on this journey is that you will:
Develop a strong positive relationship with your inner poet
Learn tools to move through creative blocks with joy, and access a state of flow
Feel the (dumpster) fire of full creative self-expression, and write about the things that really matter to you
Learn poetic craft and revision techniques that support your writing to come alive rather than stifle it
Write a pile of poems you’re proud of and build confidence sharing your work with others
What’s included:
Ten weekly group Zoom sessions (2 hours each) weaving together Open Floor movement and writing practices to support you to clear creative blocks and find freedom in the written word
Craft exercises and readings to help you to hone the art of reading, writing and revising poetry
The opportunity to 'workshop' your poems and receive in-depth feedback so you can re-enter your drafts feeling inspired, and finally finish some poems
Weekly ‘writing dates’ with a fellow writer to support your writing habit
An intimate online forum to share work and connect with other poetic hearts
A one-on-one one-hour mentoring session with Rata
Next course begins Thursday 14th March 2024. It runs for 10 weeks, with a 2 week break in the middle.
Sessions run on Thursdays 10am-12pm NZT.
Group size is limited and spaces are already filling up. Register early to secure your spot.
ATTENTION ALUMNI! If you’ve already done this course and want to join again, check your inbox for a special alumni discount code.