Please visit Gertrude’s Writing Room – www.gertrudes.ca for updated information on the writing room.

WRITER, EDITOR, MENTOR FOR HIRE!

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I am available to speak to groups, students, writer’s groups, clubs or any group of folks you think would like to learn about writing, the writing life, being a mother and writer, and/or creativity. I am a mentor to various writers as well as an editor and general creativity generator and supporter.

• Guest Speaking – in the classroom!

• Poetry On Demand – looking for a unique spice to your event? Hire a poet to write poetry for your event! Please see my Poetry on Demand page for more info!

Please make contact via email and we’ll get the conversation started. We’ll get those dreams of yours out of the pipes and onto the page, okay?

Classes

I am not currently teaching any classes, however, some classes are available on-line. Please contact me if you’re interested in hiring me to teach a class, and stay connected for when I do offer classes. Thanks!

• The Writer’s Process 8 wk creative writing class Let  Your Process Begin!Bring your inner writer to the page in this creative writing course that will culminate with your making writing an everyday part of your life. Do you have a writing space? What do your inner critics think? As you focus on your inner and outer creative space, you will define what it means to make writing an integral part of your life, and consciously choose to make writing any every day occurrence.*On-line class available
• The Odyssey Project 8 week creative writing classBegin Your Journey!  Do you have a creative writing project or idea that you just can’t find the time to start or complete? Challenge yourself to go on a creative writing adventure and get the writing done! Choose a creative writing project that you want to complete: write it, workshop it, and edit it in this class. In-class workshops include: idea birthing, how to give and receive creative and constructive criticism, grammar and style management and editing. Are you ready to begin your creative writing odyssey?*On-line class available.
• Memoir Part I – Unfolding Your Story 8 wk creative writing classUnfold Your Story!You are unique and so is your life experience. In this eight-week creative writing course, Memoir Part I – Unfolding Your Story, learn what a memoir is and how to reach into your own life-story and unfold it onto the page. You will learn format and style as well as how to bring your unique life experiences from your memory to the safe space on the page. Who you are is worth writing about.*On-line class available.

Testimonials

I am so grateful for the work we did in the Memoir workshop! It has helped me tremendously to understand memoirs and to formulate ideas on how I might shape my own. I have been able to work through an amazing amount of it so far, both technical and emotional) which clears the way for the core writing part. Thanks for your loving support, and for all you do!

 :0) Karen

Taking part in the class Memoir Part 1 – Unfolding Your Story really taught me a lot about how to bring forth those memories that have been put away for so long. Vanessa created an atmosphere filled with trust, compassion, honesty and support. I have never been in a class before where after the very first class I felt incredibly comfortable and close to all of my classmates. It was easy to come to class each week and express whatever it was that we were feeling or whatever it was that we discovered since we last left the class. The support and encouragement from each other really helped me to continue on during a moments of weakness. I look forward to discovering what is in store for Part 2.

 Jodi

Memoir Part 1 was unlike any writing class I’ve experienced. The most unique thing was the feeling of safety and acceptance. Vanessa worked hard to create an environment where everyone’s needs were met and protected and valued. Not to mention that the activities were fun and the people were wonderful! I highly recommend this class. :)

Jan

• Memoir Part II – Writing Your Story – Workshop Seminar 8 wk workshop seminarWorkshop Your Story!Utilize the ideas you’ve gathered from Memoir Part 1 – Unfolding Your Story and begin writing your memoir. Over 8 weekly classes, your writing will be workshopped by writers in the class as well as by published writers in the field. You will submit writing every week that will be workshopped as well as workshop other’s writing. This is a safe, honest, compassionate space for constructive criticism that will move your story forward each week. If you have not taken Memoir Part 1 – Unfolding Your Story, but you have memoir ideas gathered that you’d like to have workshopped, please, join us! Memoir Part II – Writing Your Story – Workshop Seminar 1 is a sacred place to bring your memoir alive on the page.

Workshops

Currently, I am teaching workshops through the Writers’ Assembly, held once monthly at Balanced Life Wellness Centre in Essex.

I love the power of the writing workshop! Here are a few of the workshops I offer, but I can create a workshop based on what you’re needing/hoping for as well! 

• TOPIC: The Art of Journal Writing

Workshop length: 2hours

In this two-hour session, author, poet and avid journal writer Vanessa Shields will guide you through different types of writing in a journal. From stream-of-consciousness writing to writing in response to spiritual practice (meditation/painting/dancing/etc.) to writing for release and emotional, therapeutic healing – the power of journal writing reaches into the deep crevices of our creative souls. The practice of doing something everyday can be life-changing – the practice of writing in a journal every day, however, is a guaranteed life-changing endeavour. Explore the benefits of writing in a journal and its relationship to writing as something we already do for work and play, and how a next-step of self-expression can be lifting your words off the page for others to read and relate to. Of course, choosing a journal and a writing utensil is always part of the amazing experience – we’ll talk about that too!

• TOPIC: Nature Poetry – An Outdoor Experience

Workshop Length: 2-4hrs

Discover poetry in nature! Tour Ojibway park or any outdoor location, and read and write poetry with writing prompts from master poets and nature at hand. Discussions include how to pay attention to what nature has to say to your poet’s heart and soul, listening to nature, and how nature poetry from the past can inspire and infuse your poetry.

• TOPIC: The Writer’s Process 

Workshop Length: 4 hours (day)

A condensed, intense one-day workshop based on the 8-week class The Writer’s Process. Delve into your writing soul and find out what motivates your creative writing, commit to writing every day, and learn how to inspire, trust and develop the creative writer in you. For writers of all ages and abilities!

• TOPIC: Empowering the Critic To Empower the Creator

Workshop Length: 2 hrs

Being empowered to create freely means recognizing our inner critics so we can learn to conquer them. Using writing tools and exercises to recognize our inner critics, participants will have the opportunity to have a conversation with their creative blockages – and start a new conversation that includes a positive inner voices that support a motivational creative process. As well, participants will have the opportunity to look at their life and creative process based on knowing their inner critics. In freeing their creative spirit from the grip of the inner critics there is only room for empowered creativity. All participants welcome because every woman is a creative writer whether she identifies herself as one or not!

• TOPIC: Letter-writing

Workshop length: 2.5 hours

Let’s put the pen to the paper and write a letter or two! This two-and-a-half hour writing workshop will give a brief history of letter-writing followed by time to write those letters you’ve been meaning to write. Whether it be a thank you note, a life catch-up letter or words of love that need to written – write it in this workshop! Please bring your own stationary and postage!

• TOPIC: Timed Writing – Various Topics            

Workshop length: 2.5 hours

This two-and-a-half hour writing workshop is for those who just want to write! Writers will be given themes to write about in specifically allotted amounts of time. You’re guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing in this get down and dirty writing workshop!

“Thank you, Sho Art, Spirit & Performance, and Ruth Ann Wilhelm for presenting author Vanessa Shields last night. The insights she offered on journal writing were awesome, as was her scope of knowledge on the subject. Her session could well have been called ‘Journal Writing on Steroids’. Vanessa also shared valuable information on what it means to be a writer, and on the inherent successes and disappointments. She is also unique in that she has the courage to share everything, even the most personal aspects of writing. As a mentor for beginning and emerging writers Vanessa is unparalleled in our writing community. In the past she has posted the experiences of her personal writing retreats, one at a Windsor location, and one on Pelee Island. She regularly posts reasonable venues that accept submissions. Her workshops at local libraries have helped beginning writers get started, and wherever she presents her sessions, people come away with a feeling of ‘yes, I too can be a writer’.” Jessie Lee Jennings, writer, attendee at ‘The Art of Journal Writing’ workshop