Heart’s Rest, New Denver, BC May 11–13, 2012

What is Convergence?

Just like a series of smaller streams that feed into one great river, Convergence Writers’ Retreat brings together the elements needed for writers to effectively craft poetry and prose designed to promote social justice. In a real ecosystem, one cannot isolate a single element apart from the context of the environment that surrounds it. Likewise, we offer not merely the mechanics of writing but discussion of the spiritual and psychological underpinnings required to support writers in their passion for social justice.

Convergence Writers’ Retreat will offer talks, discussions, workshops and a chance to perform your work in public. All events take place at New Denver’s Heart’s Rest retreat centre, a stunning building in a breathtaking setting. All meals for participants will be provided on site: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch.

To allow maximum attention to your writing and your ideas, Convergence Writers’ Retreat is limited to 25 participants. Five youth (18–30 years of age) scholarships are available.

Program Outline

Schedule

Friday, May 11, 5 pm: Meet and Greet, followed by dinner at 5:30

Friday, May 11, 7 pm: Talk/discussion: Sean Arthur Joyce: From Rant to Slant: The Political in Poetry

Saturday, May 12, 9 am–12 noon / Sunday, May 13, 9 am–12 noon: Workshops:

Verna Relkoff: You Talking to Me? The Audience for Writing

Judy Wapp: And If You Don’t Like It, I Really Don’t Care: The Rant in Theory and Practice

Tom Wayman: You Think That’s Funny? Humour and Social Change Writing

Saturday, May 12, 1:30 pm: Talk/discussion: Therese DesCamp: The Mind’s Alchemy: Understanding Metaphor

Saturday, May 12, 7:30 pm: Talk/discussion: Therese DesCamp and George Meier: What Sustains Us: The Work of the Heart

Sunday, May 13, 2 pm: Convergence Coffeehouse: Singer-songwriter Dominique Fraissard and workshop students performing their work.

Talks/discussions

Friday, May 11, 7 pm: From Rant to Slant: The Political in Poetry

Retreat introduction by poet, journalist and historian Sean Arthur Joyce. Joyce will present a dynamic overview of effective poetic techniques for promoting social justice that will whet writers’ appetites for more.

Saturday, May 12, 1:30 pm: The Mind’s Alchemy: Understanding Metaphor

Therese DesCamp, PhD, will discuss the role of metaphor and the latest scientific understanding of how our brains process and respond to this critical tool used by writers. Learn why certain metaphors actually support the status quo we’re seeking to change, and how to craft metaphors of resistance. DesCamp studied with cutting edge linguistics scholar George Lakoff at UC-Berkeley.

Saturday, May 12, 7:30 pm: What Sustains Us: The Work of the Heart

George Meier and Therese DesCamp are co-founders of Heart’s Rest and change facilitators. Together they will delve into the spiritual context of social justice advocacy. How does one cope with the despair that can result from constantly ‘fighting upstream’ for change? What values or practices can help writers stay in touch with their passion and avoid hopelessness? The duo will lead a time of reflection on the practices that sustain grounded and lively work.

Workshops (concurrent)

Saturday, May 12, 9 am to 12 noon, and Sunday, May 12, 9 am to 12 noon – Focus of the concurrent workshops is on participants’ own writing, on any theme.

Verna Relkoff: You Talking to Me? The Audience for Writing

Relkoff is a Nelson author, educator and editor who will discuss how our approach to writing can best reach the audience we’re seeking. Learn how to get beyond ‘preaching to the choir.’

Judy Wapp: And If You Don’t Like It, I Really Don’t Care: The Rant in Theory and Practice

Wapp is a New Denver visual artist and writer with an affinity for the time-honoured tradition of the rant. While the rant has fallen into academic disfavour in recent decades, learn why it remains an effective tool for social justice writers.

Tom Wayman: You Think That’s Funny? Humour and Social Change Writing

Since everyone loves a good laugh, humour is often the best way to disarm critics and open dialogue. Poet, author and teacher Tom Wayman will show writers why it’s important not to overlook this part of our toolkit.

Convergence Coffeehouse

Sunday, May 13, 2 pm – Convergence Coffeehouse, open to the public by donation, will feature readings by Retreat participants and a performance by songwriter Dominique Fraissard. An inspiring example of the current generation of singer-songwriters, Fraissard’s work incorporates social justice issues with just the right balance of the poetic and the political. He has released five albums and is currently working on a film soundtrack. Visit Dominique Fraissard’s page on sonicbids.com

Cost & How to Register

Please visit the Fees & Registration page for more details.

Accommodations

• Villa Dome Quixote, 602 6th Ave., Hwy 31A, New Denver, BC V0G 1S0; (250) 358-7242 info@domequixote.com – Special group rate available for retreat participants ($100 for nights of May 11 and 12)
• Sweet Dreams Guesthouse, 702 Eldorado St., New Denver, BC V0G 1S0; (250) 358-2415 sweetdreams@newdenverbc.com