3/12/2009
A special weekend devoted to writing about nature will be conducted by singer, writer and performer Colleen Anderson of Mother Wit Writing and Design at
Pipestem Resort State Park on May 8-10. The weekend is devoted to writing about nature and learning how to put observations and thoughts into words.
Anderson, who also conducts a Women’s Writing Weekend at Tygart Lake in late fall, introduces this new weekend of nature writing for anyone who has an interest in developing writing skills and enjoys some time out exploring for inspiration. Pipestem naturalist Jim Phillips will conduct nature and birding walks during the weekend as part of the workshop agenda. Attendees should bring comfortable walking shoes, a notebook and a willingness to learn. The weekend is a casual, relaxed setting.
“The workshop includes not only Colleen’s instruction and focus on writing technique and style development, but also on enjoying Pipestem,” says Melissa Jacobs, Pipestem’s activities coordinator. “She is genuine in her interest in helping people develop writing skills and expression from journal and blogs to stories for publication, and the park is its greatest in the spring.”
The weekend package features two nights’ lodging, guided hikes, a Saturday evening buffet, and the workshop for less than $300 for two individuals, double occupancy. A single occupancy rate is available. The workshop fee for day only is $69. Reservations are recommended in advance as the workshop does focus on small group learning and on a first-come first-served basis.
About the instructor:
Colleen Anderson is a writer, performer, and owner of Mother Wit Writing and Design, a creative studio in Charleston. She has written reviews, travel articles, and feature articles for Mid-Atlantic Country, West Virginia Quarterly, Goldenseal, and other publications. Her short stories have appeared in Redbook, The Available Press/PEN Short Story Collection, Kestrel, Arts & Letters, and others. Two stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize, her collection Windfall won first place in a W.Va. Writers annual competition, and her poems have appeared in numerous literary magazines. She has won two Literature Fellowships from the W.Va. Commission on the Arts and a residency fellowship from the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of Taos, New Mexico.
Anderson’s short essays for West Virginia Public Radio won awards in two national competitions. Her songs have been featured on Mountain Stage and The Folk Sampler, and she has produced two collections of original songs, Fabulous Realities and Going Over Home. She has conducted hundreds of creative writing and songwriting workshops for students, teachers, and adults. For more information about Colleen Anderson, visit: www.motherwitdesign.com
Contact Information
Melissa Jacobs
304-466-1800
melissajacobs@wvdnr.gov