Four Writing Practices For Self-Care

For several years, I have struggled with clinical depression. Creative writing has been as inviting as a hot bowl of my favourite vegan chicken noodle soup when suffering through the common cold. My creative writing practices have often nourished and comforted me back to a healthier state of mind.

Four writing practices that I frequently engage in because I have found them to be the most beneficial for my mental health are as follows:

1.Journal writing 

This can be quite cathartic. You can let loose the Pandora’s box of emotions stored within you whether it be anger, sadness, disappointment, frustration or joy.

 Pick any time of day that you feel you are most likely to have time to relax, even if it is only for a few moments. Try and write in your journal consistently at that time of day. Have something close by that gives you comfort for moments when this practice can feel emotionally triggering. This can be a cup of tea or a favourite blanket that you can wrap around you – whatever makes you feel comforted.

2. Gratitude Diary

I started doing this practice during the pandemic. I have found that writing a list of things that I am grateful for has helped immensely to assuage my frustrations. By refocusing my perspective from a more positive direction through this daily practice it has enabled me to better look at things from the bright side.

The steps involved in the process of gratitude journaling are as follows:

Keep a notebook for your gratitude journal. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is entered in this journal but your daily gratitudes and affirmations.

The most optimal time to do gratitude journaling is first thing in the morning. This will help you to jumpstart your day from a more positive perspective that hopefully you can build on as you mentally treasure hunt for other things throughout your day to be grateful for.

 For each entry write three things for which you are grateful. It can be anything, even something as simple as your coffee that morning was exceptionally good.

 Optional, but highly recommended: after listing three things for which you are grateful, write a positive affirmation about yourself beginning with the words “I am"

 3. Wish Diary

While counting your blessings can be great for your mental health so too can envisioning a happier, more fortunate future on many different levels. Keeping a Wish Diary can sometimes assuage this setbacks and frustrations when striving towards your goals and fortify your mental strength to help keep you on track to achieving your dreams.

As with the gratitude journal, this is also best done first thing in the morning.

Write a list of three fantasy visions you have for the future. This can be anything from obtaining enough money for something you fantasize about having, taking a dream vacation, to levelling up to your next goal as a writer. For each vision you can write anywhere ranging from a few sentences to a few paragraphs (depending on your schedule or inclination) The benefits of writing a wish journal I feel is best summarized in the words of Albert Einstein who once stated, “Somethings have to be first imagined before they can become real.”

4. Free Writing

 Freewriting is basically letting loose, freestyling with whatever thoughts are inspired by the prompt you are given or choose.

You can google and download free writing prompts from the internet. There is literally an endless cornucopia of free writing prompts to be found on the internet.

How to do a free write:

Pick a prompt.

Set a timer (can be one on a smart phone or other timers such as cooking timer) for whatever amount of time you feel like doing this writing exercise.

Once the timer begins, start writing and don't stop until the timer ends. Write down whatever thoughts come to you. 

Do not stop writing and don't edit yourself. Just let whatever thoughts you have at that moment come freely pouring out onto the page. 

One of the most therapeutic aspects of free writing is that it encourages you to take a Zen like exclusive focus on whatever spontaneous thoughts or feelings arise based on the writing prompt.

Whichever writing practice you choose remember that whatever thoughts and feelings you express, they are your own thoughts and feelings. You have right to own them. Each one of them whether positive or negative had some reason for their existence and therefore both ends of the mental and emotional spectrum deserve to be respected. 

Writing down your thoughts and feelings is one of the best methods to affirm your ownership over your thoughts and feelings. This kind of confidence that creative writing brings is a great step on the journey to recovering from and/or your making peace with your mental illness. That kind of confidence is definitely as nourishing for your mental health as a bowl of your favorite soup is for your body.

 Pamela Chynn

Writing The Silence

Silence.  

The importance of silence is revealed to writers, painters, singers and other artistic disciplines through listening.  How?  We are taught that silence is devoid of sound.  It is not.  Birds’ wings in flight make a rhythmic melody by the beating of their wings.  We cannot hear it.  Yet, if we came close enough, the rhythm would entrance us.  There are many melodies that are unheard but they exist.  Sonar, underwater songs go fast or slow.  What are sounds that you believe are out there?

 Again I ask, how do we write the silent language of the living universe?  Perhaps with a certain discipline we can begin to tune into this language.

 Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor,

let the cocyx, the bottom bone of the spine, the lower back touch the chair.  

Make sure the spine is straight.

Just listen for a minimum of 30 seconds.  

This is not a meditation.  

This is active listening.  

It is the basis of all art forms.

It is how Beethoven was able to compose while being deaf.  

It is how some people think themselves into concentration.

Writing is not lonely when it is thought of as an action, an act of doing.

Yes, we are alone when writing but it is a form of focusing on listening to the depths of

our own self-expression that we want to bring forth and share.

Active listening tunes our ears to focus on silence or sound.

Become aware of all that you "observe" with your ears.  Do you live on a busy street with lots of traffic? 

Does the flow of traffic sound like a symphony, getting louder or softer?  When the phone rings does your ear flinch or can you tell what note it is?  What sounds do you hear in your daily life?

Does the opening and closing of a drawer draw your attention?  The sound of running water in the sink or shower?  How does listening to people who speak other languages capture your attention?

Often we describe “soundless observations” as "nothing".  Something devoid of sound is not nothing.  When we train our ears to hear beyond our expectations, we open to whole new worlds of wonder.

Some people in big cities are aware of the cadences of traffic.  

In the country it could be the clatter of birdsong.  

In stillness it could be the pulsation of blood flowing through the veins.  

Active listening is a true exercise

Honey Novick. 

Writing is Tough But So Are You - Finding a Support System

Writing is difficult. It takes years of practice and development before we can trust others and reveal our true selves on the page. Bringing believable words to share with others, in the midst of sensitive topics, can make the process even more challenging. There is hope though, in the form of coping strategies and techniques that can get writers closer to the finish line.

Finding a network of like-minded individuals can provide hesitant writers with much-needed encouragement. Getting through the process is much easier than recounting and reliving the experience on your own. If you are searching for groups that share your writing goals, there are many you can turn to for support. The options range from a circle of trusted writerly friends to more well-established writing professionals. With most workshops and courses moving online these days, the options are endless. Whether you decide to stick with a familiar circle of friends or branch out to online writing groups, the decision is up to you. But the main idea is to build a consistent schedule where writing becomes a regular habit. The great thing about writing groups is they tend to add structure to your writing routine, creating a schedule that makes you more accountable. When you say you are going to write you’ve made that commitment and you don’t want to disappoint.

On the other hand, the act of writing and sharing stories with others doesn’t always work for a variety of reasons. It could be that the topic is deeply personal and/or traumatic and reliving the experience through writing could be a triggering moment. If a writing group isn’t your thing, then maybe writing independently is the best alternative. You can create your own schedule and write at your own pace.

But if you get stuck, there are many writing apps, online courses and resources that can help you develop your skills.  A valuable aspect of joining a writing group is to develop a fresh perspective on the writing process. Perhaps your inability to tackle a tough topic is buried in the fact that the approach you are taking to express creatively is not the best method for you. By attending writing groups you might find a new technique or method of approach that is effective for your needs in helping to build the supports you need for your writing journey.

Angela Walcott

Journaling for Pleasure and Wellbeing

A friend recently asked how I find time to keep a journal. Actually, I can’t afford not to find the time to journal every morning, usually for 30 minutes. It keeps the mental ducts clear so creativity and resilience flow more smoothly. It is vital self-care.

Many writers advocate daily writing. Natalie Goldberg calls it "writing practice." I used to journal every day because I wanted to be a better writer. Someone might read it someday. Practicing for an audience is important. Becoming proficient at any craft takes time and commitment to learn from mistakes. Nobody questions that musicians need to practice hard all the time. So do writers.

However, when I started journaling for myself, I felt relief and sometimes delight in the freedom. I stopped using it as a kind of dress rehearsal for more important work. Stephanie Dowrick writes, “Journal writing is a supreme way to record your own life’s journey.” Journaling helps me grow, heal, enjoy life better, and find meaning in it. I know no better tool for coping during hard times.

In researching the book, Creating A Life Worth Living, Carol Lloyd interviewed many successful creators. Most artists practice what she calls "ecstatic task.” It could be dancing, walking, gardening - any solitary, focused, process-oriented activity, for at least 15 minutes early in the day. In my journal each morning, I reaffirm the power of writing. Everyone’s approach is unique, but here are two exercises I like.

Automatic writing for me means writing with a blank mind. I’m not a morning person. My mind is dull. I usually wake up worrying about something. Putting useful words together doesn’t come easily. After making tea, I go to my desk, and build a sanctuary on my laptop. No browser, no email, just some meditative music. I stop thinking, observe whatever words come to mind and record them. Mindfulness training has helped me achieve this. I keep going for 15 minutes.

Then I switch to free writing on a chosen topic. It might be a writing prompt from a book or online. Recently I’ve chosen broad topics that interest me to write about six mornings in a row, like trees, the colour blue, or aging. I mix fun topics with hard ones. Each day I’ll approach the weekly topic from another perspective, such as every blue thing I can think of, feeling blue, a memory involving something blue, the sky, etc. Writing about the same thing for a few days helps me dig deeper. Another benefit of journaling is becoming more comfortable with things that unsettle me. If something important comes up, I can drop the planned topic that day. The seventh day I keep open for spontaneity.

For inspiration to get going, I recommend the book Creative Journal Writing, by Stephanie Dowrick. When starting or resuming a journal, experiment with what works for you. This is your time. I’ve been learning how to argue gently, fret, reason, scheme, be thankful, have fun, but above all, be kind with myself. After eating and sleeping, keeping a journal is the last activity I would ever give up. May it be equally rewarding for other writers.

Van Waffle

CAMH recovery college and InkWell Workshops present: Creative Writing Techniques: Braving the Elements

Creative Writing Techniques: Braving the Elements

Explore creative writing and storytelling techniques in a safe and supportive environment. Each week, we will look at one or more of the building blocks of storytelling (setting, character, plot, scene, point of view, the use of language) and apply these elements to creative writing forms of your own choosing, including fiction, memoir, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting. In this free workshop series participants will use exercises and examples to:

• build a mindful writing practice

• develop their own voice

• be an active part of a creative community.

Every Tuesday from 1:00–2:30 p.m. February 9 to March 16.

Facilitator – David James Brock is an award-winning playwright, poet, and librettist whose plays and operas have been performed in cities across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. He lives in Toronto. InkWell is a peer-led collective of accomplished professional writers funded by the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. Internet access and a phone or computer are needed for this series.

If you need help with access, please contact us. To register or for more info, call 416 524-2137 or email Sam at recovery.college@camh.ca

Starting Conversations

Theatre school is the ideal place for a mental illness to thrive. When I finished my studies, I

spent almost five years in bed, watching my peers create work, network, and advance their careers.

Three years into those five, I developed fibromyalgia. This meant that, not only was was my mental

health keeping me from working, I was now also physically disabled. I was forced to face the fact that

my career would necessarily look very different from what I had imagined.

In conversations around mental health and disability, we often talk of stigma, and the external

barriers to participation stigma can create. We recognize that stigma can construct environments that

are unaccommodating of the needs of disabled artists. This can mean fewer opportunities for

publishing, or an assumption that there isn’t an audience for writing that centres disability, or the

imposition of deadlines that are impossible to meet. In the theatre, a “leave-it-at-the-door” attitude

toward mental illness can make rehearsal spaces hostile and unwelcoming.

What we don’t often talk about is the shame that stigma embeds in the self-concept of artists.

In the time I found myself unable to create, I began to wonder if I could call myself an artist at all. If I

wasn’t out in the world producing art, how could I reasonably believe I was an actor and a writer? And if

I were not those things, what was I?

In mid November, I participated as a volunteer in Inkwell’s mini-literary festival, “InkFest”. As

part of that festival, a panel called “Books to Break Barriers” examined the barriers, both internal and

external, that face writers experiencing mental illness and disability. A major point of discussion was

how stigma and shame affect artists, and how we can keep ourselves moving in spite of them. But what

struck me most about this discussion was the shared sentiment that we’re all in conversation with each

other, and none of us are alone in the literary or artistic world. And in listening to these artists discuss

their own ways of breaking barriers, I felt an immediate sense of relief.

Stigma can be isolating, but conversations like the ones facilitated by Inkwell keep us in contact.

These artists reminded me that I face different barriers to artistic achievement than do my peers, and

that the limitations imposed by my disabilities do not make me less of an artist. What matters is how I

feel about the work I do, rather than how much I produce and how quickly. I was also reminded that

when we tell our stories, we build connection and community, and that we all have a responsibility to

participate in this conversation, so that we can work towards a world with less stigma, less shame, and

more support.

You can purchase the full recording of the panel at http://www.inkwellworkshops.com/shop.

Laurel Schell

Writing The Wave

Image via alamy.com

To be honest, I’ve never had writer’s block because my writing is therapeutic for me. I love to read what I write. I am also very critical of it too, but I write first and then judge after. This helps to get all my ideas out first and then decide what is best and in what order.

I know some people don’t like reading what they write, but to them I say appreciate all that comes from you. If you have a hard time reading your own work you will also have a hard time writing too.  You have to trust in your writing like any other relationship. And remember, being different is actually an advantage in this field!

The way I write is with the climax of the story first.  Then I develop characters and start a beginning.  After the climax I let my characters take me to an ending that they see fit. For me writing is a journey I take with the characters that I adopt.  My creativity depends on the characters I develop.  Learn to dive in and see where the story takes you. Consider the characters, the events, and the setting of it all.

My final advice would be not to just talk about writing. While the idea is still fresh, try to reap the most out of it by putting the pen to the paper. Nowadays, I go straight on my computer, which saves more trees too.

Get to know your characters and a page of their background. Figure out a setting and the era it is based in.  You don’t have to have it all figured out before you write.  Not knowing what comes next can make the writing process even more interesting. Writing the wave will take you on a day by day journey until your story is done. Writing is a process that needs time and patience. One day you will think one way, and the next day, another.  But remember, that this is your masterpiece. Trust in yourself and the writing will come!

Sirene Qureshi

The Benefits of Free Writing: Shake Free of Writer’s Block and Improve Your Writing Confidence

Illustration via freepik.com

The practice of free writing has changed my life. It has often gotten my mojo rising from the purgatorial blank page of writer's block to soar as majestically free as an eagle in the sky. Because of free writing, I have developed social self-confidence I never knew I had. It has also become a zen-like therapeutic experience that has often soothed my feelings of anxiety.

Free writing is an exercise in which a prompt (a subject) is given or selected and then you write freely about this subject for an allotted amount of time varying from one minute to one hour or even beyond, depending on how much time, energy, and inspiration you have to devote to the practice.

There are only two fundamental rules to the free write practice. The first is do not put your pen down until the allotted time has concluded. Write whatever comes to your mind on the subject, from whatever angle or perspective inspires you. The second rule is don’t edit yourself. Just keep that pen moving across the paper like Sandra Bullock driving the bus in the movie Speed. Damn the torpedoes when it comes to any grammatical errors or to any thoughts you might consider nonsensical or goofy. This is a practice meant to unleash your creative energy from the shackles of self-consciousness. Remember, you can always edit or rewrite at a later date should you decide to take your free write to another level and transform it into a short story.

I enjoy participating in free writes in group workshops such as InkWell, but I also enjoy practising them alone. My favourite method is to doing a free write in two separate components, in equal amounts of time. I use the timer on my phone to set the allotted amount of time. During the first segment of the free write, I focus on describing my current surroundings in purely aesthetic detail and refrain from inserting any of my personal thoughts or feelings. During the second segment, I flip the practice by focusing purely on what thoughts, feelings, or memories are provoked by my surroundings. For this type of free write, I usually find a unique place like a park or walking trail that I have never previously visited.

Free writing has been of significant benefit to my mental health and in developing my self-esteem. It has been of tremendous benefit to my mental health because I embrace the process as a zen-like form of meditation. While doing a free write, I am disciplining myself to forget about whatever personal concerns I have or social issues that concern me and focus on the here and now. I focus all of my thoughts and feelings on whatever thoughts are inspired by the free write prompt.

Free writing has also helped with my self-esteem because the fundamental rule of no editing has dethroned my inner critic from its prominent role in my psyche. This discipline has also transferred into my communications socially. By practising free writing, I have learned to let go of my self-conscious shyness and learned to trust in the authenticity of my opinion. In essence, free writing has freed myself from self-doubt and shown me how amazing self-confidence can be.

Pam Chynn

 Free Writing Journal Books:

300 Writing Prompts

Complete The Story

Failure – The Master Teacher

Via freepik.com

It is only in looking back that I realize the greatest successes came to me after much striving and failing.  I don’t want to diminish the hurt and disappointment – I was hurt and deeply disappointed.

I tried being a great student in public school.  I was average.  I strove to be a good student at the Royal Conservatory of Music – I didn’t even come close to pleasing my teachers.  My mother, who loved me, would get angry at me and call me “nothing.” The first time she saw me singing on TV, she remarked, “All your life you’ve been nothing.  From nothing you became a celebrity!”  My response was, “I’m nothing?  You’re lucky I have a sense of humour.”. Yes, it still hurts decades later, but I took my steely determination and kept going.

 If there was a course I could teach to school children, it would be “How to Fail and Still Be A Success.” I would start with writing exercises.  I would get rid of spelling and grammar and just let thoughts flow. I would give permission to students to “just do it”.  Say something and don’t worry about spelling and grammar.  I would encourage students to make up their own language using sounds like “plurrrippastut” and make up their own definitions for their new words.

I would encourage non-athletes to try being athletic, not just for the feeling of failure, but for the emotions that athletes use to win games – determination, courage, sensitivity, strict regimen. Most importantly, I would say, “you tried – through trying you won, even when you fell down and skinned your knees, you won.”

It is not too much to ask people who are trying to accomplish something to have hope.  I’ve gotten into discussions with people who tell me that hope and optimism aren’t helpful.  I respect that opinion, but speaking from experience, when all I had left besides painful memories and bruised egos, was hope, I was somehow able to keep going.  Reach out, make a friend, do things that are hard like smiling at strangers and saying hello. Keep whatever dream you might have alive.  It is failure that taught me to succeed.  It is failure that is the true master.

Honey Novick

Why You Should Join Us For InkFEST!

Get your pencils sharpened for the InkFEST Virtual Mental Health Writers Festival on Saturday, November 14th.

This event features a yoga for writers session, a writing workshop by an award-winning published author with lived experience, and a panel discussion moderated by Kim Davids Mandar.

What especially excites me about attending the InkFest Virtual Mental Health Writers Festival is that it is a festival exploring and celebrating the literary dreams and achievements of writers who, despite the social stigma and challenges of mental illness, have prevailed to contribute their voices to the fiercely competitive literary world.

This is a festival that celebrates these voices and its powerful potential to guide the world towards social progress.

It’s an opportunity for those of us with lived experience to celebrate the progress and influence of mad voices in the literary world as well as learn how we can support each other on this incredible journey.

Many writer's conferences and festivals can be pretty costly. Unfortunately, this doesn't make it financially accessible to folks who have been marginalized, such as those facing mental health challenges.

This is one of the many things that is so cool about this event: it is much more socially inclusive in its pricing than most writers conferences. A day pass for the festival is only $40. Admission is half-price for folks who are disabled and for those who are members of InkWell, it is free! There are also raffle prizes to be won!

During these socially distant times of Covid, I am also elated that the festival is online. This will give me the opportunity to connect with my lived experience literary community from the safety of my own home. I can't wait to attend and I look forward to seeing you there!

For more information on this exciting event please contact : info@inkwellworkshops.com

Tickets available here

Pam Chynn

Self-Care Tips for Completing NaNoWriMo

Courtesy of nanowrimo.org

Every November is National Novel Writing Month where people from around the world try to write 50,000 words/a novel in the month.  This has been going on for over 20 years and now includes hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe.

I have participated in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, for 9 years now, and “won” 8 years.  Many people ask “what do you get if you win?”  Well, it’s not a cash prize, instead you receive bragging writes for your accomplishment, and more importantly, you get a book!  A book by you that didn’t exist before!

I also get asked a lot more “how do you write so much in one month?”  That’s a harder question.  Doing NaNoWriMo over these past years has taught me the importance of not listening to your inner editor and just getting the words down on the page.  I find that if you try to edit as you write, you will never get your 1,677 words per day that you need.  As well, after 2 weeks, if you start editing, you’re going to start convincing yourself that what you have to write, what you have to say, isn’t worthy, that it’s all garbage.

You have to remember, it’s a first draft.  The key is to get the words down and edit later.  You would be amazed at the gems you find when you go back after November and start reading what you wrote.

I’ve always found NaNoWriMo a ton of fun and very motivational.  The key is to believe in yourself, believe in the story inside you.  Then when November comes, get lots of treats, tea, coffee, and carve out time each day to write, be it an hour in the morning or evening when everyone is asleep, or little 15 minute chunks of time scattered throughout the day.

For more information, inspiration and motivation check out the website at NaNoWriMo.org. 

Beth Rosell

InkFEST Virtual Mental Health Writers Festival

JOIN US ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 FOR A FULL DAY OF CREATIVE ACTIVITIES!

All events will be auto-captioned and live on Zoom. Please contact us at info@inkwellworkshops.com if you need any other accommodations.

We’ll be raffling off fantastic prizes all day. Winners will be contacted by email, so you do not need to be in attendance to win a prize!

Yoga for Writers w/ Josh Cooper | 11 am - 12 pm EST

Josh Cooper is a Toronto-born yoga instructor. He teaches a diverse group of students from yoga studios to parks and festivals; sports teams to daycares. When not doing yoga, you can often find Josh in the kitchen.

A disability friendly yoga class. Release tension from the body in this accessible and delicious sequence specially crafted for writers. We’ll visit key spots with love and attention, so you can feel nourished and inspired to write. Please have a sturdy chair (preferably armless) and tennis ball (or similar type ball).

Contact us at info@inkwellworkshops.com to let us know how we can best accommodate your disabilities.

$10 general entry | $5 disabled* folks | FREE for InkWell participants & Routes members

* Including chronic illness, autism, ADHD, Madness, mental health and addiction issues, Deaf and hard of hearing

Raffle Prize: A literary mental-health prize pack including 3 anthologies from InkWell Books and a one-year subscription to Open Minds Quarterly.

Writing the Self w/ Eufemia Fantetti | 2 - 3:30 pm EST

Eufemia Fantetti holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. Her short fiction collection, A Recipe for Disaster & Other Unlikely Tales of Love, was runner up for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and winner of the Bressani Prize. My Father, Fortune-tellers & Me: A Memoir was released in 2019. She teaches writing at Humber College and co-edits Humber Literary Review.

A generative writing class that will explore the me, myself, & I in memoir and essays. You won’t be asked to share what you write. No pressure, no comparison. Just prompts, prompts, prompts so that you’ll walk away with new writing.

$20 general entry | $10 disabled* folks | FREE for InkWell participants & Routes members

* Including chronic illness, autism, ADHD, Madness, mental health and addiction issues, Deaf and hard of hearing

Raffle Prize: A literary prize pack from Flying Books, including a signed copy of Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados and career advice/feedback from the renowned Canadian fiction editor Martha Sharpe.

Books to Break Barriers: Writers Panel w/ Carrianne Leung, Rowan McCandless, & Dominik Parisien, Moderated by Kim Davids Mandar | 7 - 8:15 pm EST

In this panel discussion, we'll address barriers, both internal and external, and question how they challenge the wellness, creativity, and publishing success of experienced writers who live with mental health issues, chronic illness, and disability. How have writers pushed back by crafting other narratives in their fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction? Join us for a barrier-smashing conversation!

$15 general entry | $8 disabled* folks | FREE for InkWell participants & Routes members

* Including chronic illness, autism, ADHD, Madness, mental health and addiction issues, Deaf and hard of hearing

Raffle Prizes: The 2020 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction shortlist and the 2020 shortlist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize!

Carrianne Leung is a fiction writer and educator. Her debut novel, The Wondrous Woo was shortlisted for the 2014 Toronto Book Awards. Her collection of linked stories, That Time I Loved You was named one of the Best Books of 2018 by CBC, shortlisted for the Toronto Book Awards 2019, long listed for Canada Reads 2019 and awarded the Danuta Gleed Literary Award 2019. She is currently working on a new novel, titled The After.

Rowan McCandless lives and writes from Winnipeg, which is located on Treaty 1 territory, the ancestral and traditional homeland of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Dakota, Dene, Métis, and Oji-Cree Nations. Her writing has appeared in print and online journals such as The Fiddlehead, The Malahat Review, Prairie Fire, Room, Skin Deep, The Nasiona, and in the anthology, Black Writers Matter. In 2018, Rowan’s short story, Castaways, was long-listed for the Journey Prize. In 2019, she won the Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize. In 2020, she received gold, as well as an honourable mention, with the National Magazine Awards-- one-of-a-kind storytelling. Her essay collection, Persephone’s Children will be published in 2021 with Dundurn Press. She is a member of The Fiddlehead’s Advisory Board.

Dominik Parisien is a writer, editor, and poet. He is the author of the poetry collection Side Effects May Include Strangers (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2020) and the chapbook We, Old Young Ones (Frog Hollow Press, 2019). He also writes creative nonfiction and his work has recently appeared or is forthcoming in Maisonneuve, PRISM International, Queen's Quarterly, and Riddle Fence, among others. Much of his work engages with disability, and in 2019 he won the Hugo Award for co-editing Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction. Dominik is a disabled, bisexual French Canadian and he lives in Toronto. 

Kim Davids Mandar’s writing appeared in Sustenance (Anvil Press, 2017), Rhapsody (Vocamus Press, 2018) and Prairie Fire (Winter, 2018). Kim co-hosted Bookish Radio and is currently completing her MSc thesis. She is the editor of In|Appropriate, highlighting interviews with Canadian and Indigenous authors (Gordon Hill Press, 2020). Throughout a meandering career which includes teaching, writing, performing, and community development work, therapeutic interventions for optimal mental health have been a welcome element for success.

Discovering My Writing Journey Through The Magical Worlds of Books

Illustration from Quest RPG https://www.adventure.game

I remember when I first discovered my love of epic fantasy and sci-fi books through a family friend. He told me that if I read fifty pages of Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold, by Terry Brooks he would give me five dollars. I took up the challenge not knowing it would spark a passion for fantasy and sci-fi novels. I read the whole The Magic Kingdom of Landover series that summer at the age of twelve. Other books that were influential to me include C.S Lewis’s Narnia series, Isaac Asimov’s I Robot, Jules Vern’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, H.G Wells’ War of the Worlds, and J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. 

I imagined going on quests to obtain a magical gem or sword. In these fantastic worlds there are witches, warlocks, elves, goblins, trolls, giants, dwarves, gnomes and the like. The best thing I liked about reading these stories was that you can lose yourself in the worlds of the characters. It was then I realized I wanted to become a writer.

I found this Terry Brooks advice on writing in the epic fantasy genre a helpful guidepost in my own writing: “A small band of friends or comrades on a quest, an archetypal confrontation between good and evil, and an element of magic are crucial to a story.” I try and use this approach in my own writing. Discovering our own unique writing journey through reading can be a quest in itself that is lifelong and filled with lots of magical surprises.

James Wagstaff

The Power of Empathy

Illustration by Jaime Jacob

Empathy is not only a great personality trait and an amiable social skill to possess, it is also an imperative writing tool. In fact, I believe that it is one of the most important skills that a fictional writer can nurture in order to refine their craft.

Empathy is a by-product of the very source from which we create stories - our imagination. In order to empathize with someone you must first be able to imagine how they must feel.

In order to compel your reader to want to keep reading your story you must make your main character relatable to your reader.

Every human being from every walk of life, at some point in their life, has experienced frustrations and disappointments. Revealing these frustrations to your reader will help to build a connection between your character and the reader simply because your reader is much more likely to see the character as a human being who, like themselves, has issues and dilemmas that they struggle with.

Buddhism teaches that all human beings suffer. Keeping this in mind, think of some of the painful things that all human beings are vulnerable to loneliness, illness, bereavement, discrimination, betrayal, heartbreak, etc.

On the other hand, if your character is written from a dismissively judgmental point of view rather than one that is infused with empathy instead of creating a dimensionally intriguing character, you are likely to end up creating a character that is flat - a stereotypical caricature that is less likely to arouse the reader's intrigue. This can result in distancing your reader from the character of your story.

The more empathy you project towards your main character, the more successful you will be in making your character relatable to your reader. You’ll be much more successful in inspiring your reader to become attached enough to a character that they’ll feel they cannot stop reading the story until it reaches its conclusion and they learn of the character's fate.

To nurture the creation of your character with empathy, whenever your character does a significant action whether it is disgraceful or heroic, before you describe the action to your reader, ask yourself why would this character say or do this? Imagine yourself as the character, and how their background has influenced their perspective. Commit to describing this action to your reader from this perspective.

One of my favorite quotes regarding how to develop empathy is by Walt Whitman who once stated: "Be curious. Not judgmental." This is what we hope to inspire readers to feel towards our character swhen we write stories.

Pam Chynn

Announcing InkFEST

We’re excited to announce our first ever virtual mental health writers festival on Saturday, November 14, in celebration of 5 years of InkWell Workshops!

We’ve planned a full day of activities to creatively delight your body and mind. Start your morning with Yoga for Writers, a disability friendly yoga session, followed by a Creative Nonfiction Writers Workshop, and finishing up with Books to Break Barriers, a panel all about the barriers (both internal and external) writers with lived experience encounter.

Tickets go on sale October 14th (free for InkWell participants and Routes members). Stay tuned for more announcements and details!

The Power of Peer Support

Illustration by Shutterstock

Peer support on personal and professional levels can be a lifeline to maintaining our mental health during the time of COVID-19.

Personal peer support can be something as simple as shooting a quick text to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while or as involved as planning a virtual watch party with a larger group.

A vital part of personal peer support is asking the people closest to you how you can best support them and telling them how they can reciprocate. This process helps set healthy boundaries for the amount and specific types of support you are able to provide.

Professional peer support, which involves speaking with a certified peer worker or another mental health professional who openly identifies with having lived experience, is also a great tool for maintaining wellness. Speaking with someone who is trained in actively listening to issues and intentionally sharing their own recovery-framed experiences can create a unique sense of validation.

If you’re struggling with reaching out for support, start small with the people in your life you trust. Starting conversations with them about how you can mutually support each other fosters stronger relationships. Finding even one person to talk to can make a world of difference.

If you’re searching for peer support in a community setting, check out the InkWell Workshops upcoming fall sessions. The full schedule is available at inkwellworkshops.com/schedule

Maya Ameyaw

Voice Tips for Reading and/or Reciting Your Writing in Public

Do you really want to be heard?

Some people think just because they read out loud, they can be heard. Not so. It takes PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

First, it takes courage.

Then, it takes determination

Next is generosity - sharing your thoughts, being vulnerable

After that comes focus. Stand tall, feet grounded on the floor, or sit comfortably with your spine against the back of the chair, with your feet on the floor.

Don't clear your throat. It is harsh on the vocal chords.

Yawn, or laugh or breathe.

Practice listening to yourself, if possible. If not, look straight ahead, head up, eyes forward.  This is important.  EYES FORWARD. When the head is pointed downwards, it cuts off the sound that should be directed forward.

Now is the time to share your words, feelings, visions, opinions and/or ideas.

If all you want to do is read or recite your words, fine. People will be polite and listen.

If, on the other hand, you want to be heard, make a point, evoke discussions, dialogue or share an opinion, then it is vitally important to engage the attention of the listener. This can be done with eye contact. Looking ahead will give the reader a moment to focus. Just because a reader feels they have something to say doesn't mean others feel the same way. However, if a reader can attract the attention of the listener, they can create communication between the speaker and the audience. 

Nervousness comes with the territory. It is totally okay to be nervous. Sometimes singing helps in discovering the sound of one's voice. Sometimes yoga breathing helps. Personally, I find yoga breathing to be so important that it must be included in every practical ritual.

Reading out loud, like singing out loud, is liberating and empowering. It will claim one's energy and identity. BUT, it does take time and patience. Be kind to yourself and don't judge the sound of your own voice. It's yours to enjoy and use. Others will hear you.

Reading out loud should be fun. Even difficult subjects can be shared when the writer understands that the challenge must be taken on like the three musketeers - with derring-do.

This is the first step to making new friends, becoming confident and understanding the power that writing offers. Shyness is okay. So are accents. All that truly matters is sharing.  Do it and do it and do it again.

Honey Novick

5 Ways To Build Your Confidence as a Writer

Everyone's journey towards developing their confidence as a writer is unique. Here are the five most game-changing realizations from my own personal journey as a writer that have enabled me with the confidence necessary to pursue my literary aspirations:

1. Surround yourself with supportive people.

 While the act of writing itself is a very solitary one, ironically surrounding yourself with supportive people is essential for literary success. Like any other goal that you commit to, it can be daunting at times, full of setbacks and disappointments that may even on occasion feel devastatingly heart breaking. For moments such as this, you need to surround yourself with people who are supportive of your ambitions and goals as a writer. Such literary allies can be found in friends and family and community members and most especially other writers.

 You can also find supportive  friends in writing workshops such as InkWell, which I feel blessed to be a part of.

2. Embrace constructive feedback. 

 Don't be afraid of it. In fact, the magical word here is “constructive,” meaning that it is given as advice from an objective point of view, balancing both the positive with the negative. Constructive feedback will help you to pinpoint and strengthen your weak points while also making you feel more assertive and proud of your strengths as a writer. Places where you can find constructive feedback is through friends, family and by joining literary workshops .

3. Be yourself. 

 This is not only great practice in every aspect of your life for your mental health, but it also great for developing your confidence as a writer. By being yourself, your own unique creative style will come shining through in your writing. Why stress yourself out imitating something that you're not, when you can relax and enjoy the writing process by being something truly awesome and amazing - yourself!

4.  Just Do it!

 Sometimes you just have to close  your eyes and ears to the inner critic filling you with insecurities and doubts and take that leap of faith and just do it. Let the chips fall where they may. Just roll the dice and see where they land. If your writing session goes down the rabbit hole, well then, tomorrow is another day. On the other hand, if you manage to produce something that you feel proud of, congratulate yourself. Taking action is often one of the best stimulators for confidence.

5.  Celebrate your accomplishments.

 Whether you've managed to successfully maintain your resolution to a daily ten-minute free write routine or just been published, each and every goal you achieve, no matter how small or great, enables you with the confidence to take bigger risks with your writing whether it be with experimenting with your style or genre or daring to dream bigger and thereby challenge yourself to take your successes to the next level of personal or commercial success. Think of every time you reward yourself for your success as a graduation ceremony for that accomplishment. Your graduation ceremony can be something as simple and as comforting as a steaming hot cup of your favourite tea or as adventurous as an exciting night out on the town with friends. Just like any other graduation ceremony you have ever attended, think of it as an opportunity to reflect on how far you have come in your writing and how you will begin the next chapter of your journey.

 Pamela Chynn

Writing About Mental Health

Writing about mental health is both personal and political. I mainly write about the systemic barriers I face, such as access to timely, affordable, adequate and empathetic mental healthcare. Writing about mental health is an extension of my activist background. I use poetry and fiction, be it short stories or novels, to address systemic barriers. The novel I am currently revising focuses on mental-health emergency departments, and what happens when the system continually neglects people in crisis.

I’ve mainly had positive feedback on my writing, such as friends and strangers telling me that they felt heard in my work. People have used my writing to echo their frustration with the health care system. I find writing also helps people who have never tried to access mental-health resources understand some of the barriers folks may face.

Writing about mental health sometimes leaves me feeling vulnerable and I always check in with myself before writing or publishing on the topic. For instance, sometimes folks feel that because I’m honest about struggling with mental health, that they can ask me invasive questions. Friends and community are sometimes uncomfortable with my openness. Since I have published work, there’s no room to choose who I disclose to. I know that strangers, from potential employers, to future dates, can look up my name and see my mental health status. I’ve accepted this price, but sometimes struggle with feeling exposed. Even though I write about mental health, I still have the power to control what I share with people one on one, so sometimes I find myself re-directing people to the work, and stating that I don’t wish to talk about it further, which most people have respected. I am doing my part for mental health representation, but don’t feel the need to overexpose myself and share information that I’m not comfortable with. I am grateful that my writing is fictional and I do not feel that I owe my readers an explanation of where the text ends and my lived experiences starts.

I’ve experienced the positive impacts of writing about mental health journeys, of creating spaces to talk about lived experience, stigma, and barriers to resources. As a facilitator, I’ve found that people feel less alone when they have the opportunity to share their stories and struggles with mental health. That said, I’m more than my mental illness and I’m tired of writing sad stories; I’m tired of writing about health care and politics, I want to write about romance, friendships and dreams. When writing about mental health, I worry that this is the only narrative I think I can write about, or that my readers expect from me.  I have so many other stories to tell.

Emily Gillespie

Quarantine Writing Ideas

Artwork “La Polentina” by Joey Guidone: https://www.joeyguidone.com/shop/

I’ve recently accepted, sadly, that I’ll be home a lot longer than I had hoped. What to do? At first, I thought it would be a great time to write but it’s been hard to stay motivated. Then I found myself writing a little too much about how tired I was of sitting alone at home. That sure didn’t perk me up! So, I decided to think up some writing tricks.

What am I doing?

On small pieces of paper, I have written out genres of writing, including: rhyming poetry, haikus, prose poetry, fiction, memoir and children’s story. I can add more as time goes by and more ideas come to me. I’ve put these paper pieces in a shallow bowl. When it is time to write something new, I randomly select one of the slips. Then I go into a room that contains a number of items such as books or knick-knacks or kitchen utensils or cosmetics or… you get the idea, eh? I close my eyes, spin around a few times (but not enough to get dizzy), point my finger, open my eyes, and write about whatever it is that I’m now pointing toward.

So far, I have written a rhyming poem about berry-scented hair conditioner, a children’s story involving a pancake flipper and I’m now working on a memoir based off my favourite Louise Penny novel.

Try it. It’s fun!

Marnie Shepherd