Filling the Well

submitted by Lee McKenzie


A week from now I’ll be on my way to Banff—in the breathtakingly beautiful Canadian Rockies—for a one-week writing program at The Banff Centre. Unlike conferences, which always have that go, go, go feeling, I expect this experience to be both restful and invigorating, challenging and affirming, creative and . . . well, creative.

For six days, students spend mornings in workshops, afternoons working on their works in progress, and evenings socializing and attending readings given by students and faculty. In the Rockies! The program is divided into four components—children’s writing, travel writing, science fiction/fantasy, and memoirs. I’ll be wearing my children’s writer hat, but I’m looking forward to being with such a diverse mix of writers.

The Rocky Mountains are one of my favourite places in the world and they’re especially beautiful when fancied up with a little fall colour. So of course I’ll pack my hiking boots and plan to do at least one half-day hike, because for me there’s nothing more spiritually rejuvenating than being in the mountains.

I’m calling this a working holiday—did I mention it was in the Rockies?—but when I contemplate the social, creative, intellectual, spiritual and physical aspects, I know it’ll be so much more. Not to mention that opportunities to fully immerse oneself in one’s writing never seem to come often enough. I intend to make the most of every delicious minute of it!

Till next month,

Lee

posted by Lee McKenzie @ 11:16 AM