Writing From Nature with Harry Thurston, July 8-10: “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work,” wrote American poet Mary Oliver. Award-winning poet and nature writer Harry Thurston will conduct this Friday evening to Sunday afternoon workshop designed to sharpen observational skills, which are the foundation not only of nature writing but of all good writing. Focus will be on writing about the natural world. Practical exercises will include the writing of a prose poem – a hybrid and highly flexible form – taking as subject a natural object from the environment surrounding the Harrison Lewis Coastal Discovery Centre on one of the most protected and beatiful stretches of Nova Scotia’s South Shore.

Participants will critique each other’s work within a supportive group
atmosphere. Time will also be available for individual consultation with the workshop leader. Workshop is open to writers of all skill levels. Concentration will be on poetry and creative non-fiction, but the workshop is designed to be relevant to any genre. Participants are asked to submit a short prose piece or small selection of poems three weeks prior to the workshop date. Workshop gets underway at 7 pm, Friday, July 8. Enrollment will be limited to 12 participants.