Hello,

It’s been awhile since the last time I sent an email. I’ve been deep in the dreaming phase of growing and nurturing this small business, and part of my meanderings have involved this question: how can I best be of service?

This question leads me into a story.

Over the holidays, I had a conversation with a woman who had just started writing poetry. She told me about how her first couple poems almost fell out of her. They were aching to be written. Once on the page, they felt complete and whole. “It’s as if I was transcribing them,” she said.

(In fact, this view of creativity is shared by Julia Cameron who thought of “art making as dictation” and “ideas like radio waves” that you pick up on. Source: The Artist’s Way)

“I’d love to write more poetry,” this woman told me “but I feel like I need to wait for inspiration, or for another moment like that first time when the poem came with ease and urgency.”

This is not an uncommon experience. It feels so amazing when writing arrives in the way she described: full to bursting, landing on the page with relief and celebration. But I’m sure you’re familiar with where her story could go. If we only allow ourselves the space to write when inspiration demands loudly that we listen… we will probably find ourselves writing only very occasionally, or sadly not at all.

I personally know this experience all too well.

So when this woman shared her experience with me, I felt myself jump. “Oh!” I nearly said. “You must try sitting down to write when you think you have nothing to say! For even in those moments, words will tumble out that belong to you, and your mind, and your imagination, and you’ll realize with surprise that your creativity doesn’t just belong in those moments of urgency, but in moments of calm too.“

I didn’t actually say any of this because at that moment, her phone rang. When we came back together the moment was over. Another topic of conversation began.

So, I’m sharing it with you now.

If you have ever felt a quiet nudge within yourself to write… this is a gently encouraging invitation to make a date with yourself. To find a quiet space in your home, or to sit at a table at a cafe, or to find a some public outdoor seating (if it’s not too cold of course). And then to take out your notebook or computer, open a blank page or document, and write. Maybe especially if you feel you have nothing to say. Write one sentence, and then another, and then another. I wonder what would happen? I wonder where you would be led?

And if you want support, I have some writing workshops coming up. Both include a free intro which you are welcome to join, even if you don’t intend to join the class. These intros each include writing time.

This is one of the ways I can be service. Not by telling you there is anything wrong about writing or not writing (there isn’t), but by providing space for those who want to begin, are feeling nervous, or are yearning to write in community with others. I will say that the writing that happens in my classes is extraordinarily special. It almost always includes the body. It almost always includes self-compassion and overflow of curiosity. If you’re feeling called, I hope you’ll join us.

UPCOMING CLASSES

Metaphor & Renewal - 8 Week Poetry Writing Workshop

When: Mondays, February 24th - April 7th 2025
from 5:30 - 7:45pm PT
Where: Online, Over Zoom
*6 spots max.
Use the code EARLYBIRD2025 for $25 off at the checkout until Feb 12th.

Learn embodied tools for accessing the metaphors that speak to your experience, as it is now and as you would like to be. This workshop will engage your imagination while also offering you space to reflect and write about your relationship to: your voice, time, your dreams and goals, and your experience of giving and receiving. My favourite part of these workshops is the conversations and connections that occur, in community with others.

Register for the free intro: Monday, Feb 10th from 6-7pm PT. ONLINE.

Voice into Poetry - 7 Week Poetry Writing Workshop

When: Tuesdays, February 25th - April 8th 2025
from 6:30 - 8:30pm PT
Where: IN-PERSON at The Gallery @ Artech, 336 E 1st Ave, Vancouver
*6 spots max.
Use the code EARLYBIRD2025 for $25 off at the checkout until Feb 12th.

What is your relationship to your voice? How does it feel to speak out loud what resides within your internal world? When you apologize, speak up for what you believe in, use your voice to be playful… what arises within you?

Join five other participants for a rich and compassionate exploration of voice using poetry as your tool and companion. In this series, you’ll read poetry from six different authors writing on the same themes as us, speak poetry out loud, and write your own.

Register for the free intro: Tuesday, Feb 11th from 6:30-7:30pm PT. ONLINE.

* In the heading of this newsletter, there is a passage of poetry by Robin Skelton. That passage is from his poem ‘On Waking,’ and was published in his collection ‘Facing the Light’ (Published: 2005 by Ekstasis Editions).

Questions or comments about anything in this email? Send an email to [email protected] . I’d love to hear from you.

with thanks,
Christine Bissonnette

P.S — Know someone who would enjoy receiving this email? Pass it along! 9 Creative Lives Studio is a small business run just by me (Christine Bissonnette). Your support and referrals make a big difference.