The Writer's Cabin
To write, for writing's sake
Hello wild ones,
I hope you are having a beautiful week and nourishing your nervous system in ways that feel supportive for you. I have had a big journey over the past four months returning to my homeland of Canada to reunite with my family, and also journeying through Ireland, my ancestors' land. I am very excited to be back here, in this space, with you all now that I have returned to Australia and have started to finally settle back into a rhythm of routine - slowly. I am eager to share more of my experiences through the written word, and yet, I’ve also noticed some challenges with sitting down to write about the things I’ve experienced, learned, and witnessed. I find myself similarly struggling with the question, “How was your trip?” to which I say simply say, “Good”, knowing all too well that I don’t have the words (and they don’t have the time to listen for hours on end), to articulate just how meaningful, powerful, and uncomfortable this journey has been for me. Through this process, I am reminded that big transitions call for ample integration time, and I have been doing just that - slowly sinking back into this second home, allowing my body to reorient to the southern hemisphere, and tending to the layers of discomfort that naturally arise through transitory times.
After many days of returning to the desk, over and over again, to stare at a blinking cursor on a blank page, I have a new piece of writing that I am wrapping up that will be posted soon - it’s interesting to reflect on this current writing process, draft by draft, slowly revealing what desires to be expressed, then shared. The act, and art, of writing is something I am always feverishly curious about and inspired by, and I find myself returning back to what brought me to the pages in the first place - to write for writing's sake.
Since the day I learned how to put pen to paper, I have had varied writing practices and experiences - many of which were done in solitude and silence. I also have fond memories of sitting in loud bustling cafes in Singapore, my fingers barely keeping up with the words I yearned to get down before they slipped away. And I still remember the rush of inspiration that would hit while traveling by train when I lived in India, I still have those notes in my iPhone - the only place I could capture my thoughts back then. Although different, these writing experiences were all born from the same place - a deep love for the written word and a devotion to living fully expressed, leaving no page unturned, unwritten. Writing has a beautiful way of uniting us to the feelings and experiences we may have kept tucked away, for later review perhaps, but begs to be witnessed, now.
It is no secret that writing is a powerful medium for helping us commune with creativity, but it also supports us in processing the tender parts of Self we may sometimes shy away from. There is a safety that we meet on the page, a private and intimate candlelit dinner for two, so to speak. Just you, the page, and what your heart desires to place upon it. Sometimes it is a well thought out articulation of your thoughts and ideas, other times it's messy, chaotic, and just asks for your willingness to attune to, and witness, what is alive. Either way, it’s expressed, and that creates space for more to move through you, and more of you to show up.
As a writer, I have certainly met the edges of writer’s block and moments of stagnation in my creative process, and it’s only natural that we experience that throughout our writing journey - it is, after all, an imperfect pursuit of self-expression. There are no wrong turns or missteps, just a continued practice of meeting ourselves on the page, over and over again, while dropping the expectation of what we *think* should land there - it’s often not what we thought, is it?
One thing that continues to be an anchor throughout my writing journey, however, is the simple act of showing up to the page, regardless of any resistance that may try to get in the way of me and my art. And as I return to a rhythm here in Australia, I am leaning back into presence and devotion, simply to remain curious about my process and my relationship with the written word, and I would love to invite you to join me for the journey.
Introducing, The Writer’s Cabin, a bi-weekly online creative co-working experience for writers to gather with intention and devote their heart to their craft. A space for you to meet yourself on the page, all parts of Self, without distraction and in service of devotion to the written word. A soft place to land to meet your art and be held in community with guided facilitation to support your writing practice.
Many writers dream of whisking themselves away to a cozy charming cabin in the woods surrounded by pine trees far from society, to have space and time to get the words out onto the page. And while that feels and sounds romantic, it’s not always attainable to completely remove ourselves from our daily lives for long stretches of time. Besides, some of our greatest writing comes from the seemingly mundane tasks that daily life brings.
And so, The Writer’s Cabin is a devotional way to create our very own cabin in the woods experience, from the comfort and convenience of our own home, so we can remain committed to our writing practice and projects while alongside other passionate creatives who value the written word and community support.
Writing is often an independent practice, and yet, there is something moving and powerful that happens when we gather collectively with a shared intention of writing, for writing’s sake, and create space for art to exist. At times, when I am feeling stagnant in my creative process, I will borrow the momentum I witness in others around me to keep me moving, to keep me writing. Together, in silence, we support each other with staying committed and completing our meaningful work.
The Writer’s Cabin is the place to abandon perfectionism and procrastination, and to welcome in devotion and intention. It’s hard, at times, to show up consistently and make space for art - especially while living in a fast paced, capitalist world that celebrates unhealthy productivity at the cost of our well-being. The Writer’s Cabin is a place to slow things down, connect with like-minded writers, and create from a place of regulation rather than activation.
The Details:
Our online gatherings will be held via Zoom. Recordings will not be available. The Writer’s Cabin is a space to show up and connect with others and your art in real time, just like we would at the cabin in the woods.
The first gathering in The Writer’s Cabin will be held on December 9th 2023 at 8:00pm (Brisbane time AEST). Please check here for your time zone.
Based on attendance, I may change the days and times in future sessions to accommodate folks from different time zones. For now, let’s gather and let’s write.
Please register at the link listed below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcumrqz0vH931IBu-ZO_Sqe0PoEUs0ulu
I am open to organizing other days and times that may be better suited or more accessible based on varied time zones, as I am still getting to know the community here. Please comment below and let me know your availability if you would love to join us so I can do my best to accommodate.
The Experience:
You will be welcomed into The Writer’s Cabin like an old friend. Set up a cozy space for you to work and pour yourself a cup of tea. Pull up a seat at our communal table and briefly get to know the others around you.
Intention setting, movement/somatic practice, prompts for inquiry, writing time, community sharing.
There is zero expectation to share your work, it is optional and welcomed for those who wish to express themselves.
The Values:
Art, creativity, community, meaning, purpose, support, expression, honesty, devotion, connection, intentionality, compassion, and ease.
This creation has been on my heart for so very long, and I am so excited to birth this offering, to meet other writers, and together devote ourselves to our craft and see what unfolds on the page - a beautiful journey awaits, I can really feel it.
Thank you so much, for being here, with me.
And I can’t wait to write, with you.
Laurita
Ps. I will be creating and facilitating some upcoming writers retreats, so stay tuned for updates and announcements.
Writing for writings sake is my absolute favourite. Thanks for articulating this so perfectly
This sounds dreamy! Sad I missed this one, will there be another?