The write way

Try out this creative writing prompt (courtesy of David Bester).

By Jacqueline Delange

For writers, nothing is more terrifying than the blank page. A simple sheet of paper seems to say, “You’re not good enough. You’re not an author.”

Sean Langley, a 37-year-old software programmer and amateur fiction writer, faced the blank page  about six months ago. He says he began to question his own writing and became discouraged.

“I pretty much blocked myself up because I was over-analysing what I was trying to put down on paper,” he said. “You’re banging your head against the page.”

Enter David Bester. The 39-year-old Toronto-area freelance writer and editor has facilitated a creative writing workshop called Start Writing since 2008. His goal is to help writers such as Langley grow by giving them a supportive environment.

An attitude of gratitude

As a drug-addicted teenager, McKenzie Black didn't think she had much to be grateful for.

"I was really self-centred. I didn't care about anybody else. I ruined my physical health and my mental health. I did anything I had to do to get drugs. And that was it, that was my life," she said. "Drugs."

She started drinking alcohol at age 12 and first used drugs at age 13. She found herself in rehab at age 15, but didn't get clean until she discovered Narcotics Anonymous-- and gratitude journaling. As part of the program, she lists the things she's grateful for every night.

"One of the things I write on a regular basis is that I'm grateful for the ability to feel grateful," she said. "That's something I never had."

More and more, people such as Black are discovering that gratitude journaling can help them face challenges in their lives and stay focused on the positive. According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want, expressing gratitude helps people become happier and more satisfied with what they have.

Smooth as satin

L to R: Liz Tansey, Karen Bell, Donna Green and Ilana Waldston rehearse at Green's house.

By Michael Gibbons 

Not a lot of people are fortunate enough to live their dreams. For many, childhood aspirations take a backseat to life’s many cares and responsibilities. The Satin Dolls are an exception and they’re so happy about it they could sing.

For Donna Green, the originator of the group, that realization became crystal clear at a party. 
    

“At the end of the night, a bunch of women were hanging out in the kitchen, drinking wine. Four or five of them were lamenting: ‘As soon as I retire, as soon as my kids are gone, as soon as I have time…’ All these fantasies, if they had the time, if they had the energy, the will, the desire to go on and do these things they’ve always wanted to do,” Green said. “The Satin Dolls have gone and done that. We’ve pursued a dream that women talk about doing.”

T.O. writing workshop whips my creativity into shape

By Jacqueline Delange

Being a creative writer takes work -- just ask David Bester, facilitator of Toronto's Start Writing program, and, well me.

I've been getting a feel for the workshop as research for my upcoming 'creative boot camp' article. The article will discuss how creative workshops empower writers and get them out of their ruts so that they can grow as artists and individuals. 
 
This evening I sat in on one of the Start Writing workshops and learned a thing or two -- primarily that writers are made, not born (contrary to popular belief).