THE LOST ART OF LISTENING
Winter is here, a time for stillness and reflection. Launching my first digital experience has been a wonderful experience, allowing me to meet new people across the UK and even the world!
I love that I can be still, yet so connected in these viral times, when lots of us are a rather restricted travel-wise. So far students have signed up from The Scottish Highlands, Frome, Shropshire, Wales, London and Canada. It’s a lot of fun to be able to work with creative minds from further afield, who can come together in the private Field Notes study group I’ve created on FaceBook to share their work.
Woodland Wandering is an immersive creative writing experience, which you can take part in on a walk in your local woodland using audio guides I’ve created. Upon signing up to the course, students are emailed a download link to a PDF containing all the access instructions. The secret course page contains tutorial videos, the audio MP3s for downloading, and full written instructions and the poems I’ve referenced during the workshop. I really wanted this course to be a PHYSICAL experience (not something that will glue you to your screen) so designed it to be done in nature, at your own pace.
I absolutely love audio as a medium. In these days of speed and screen-based activities, listening could be described as a lost art. It’s an increasingly important part of my practice, and as an avid fan of podcasts I spend a lot of time listening to audio and radio programmes and experiences. Short Cuts with Josie Long is my favourite podcast, I adore her choice of found sound and themes. Recently I enjoyed a Poetry Dive with Kim Rosen, a large part of which involved listening to Kim skilfully layering poetry and music. We also explored in a multi-sensory way using movement and dance. Sound artists like Janet Cardiff are also an influence on my work.
I could go on, but methinks there are many subjects here for future postings about walking, wellness, poetry and art. If you’d like to find out more visit the Woodland Wandering page where you can read what people have said about the experience. So far students include the wonderful Ted Eames (see Ted’s comments below), poets, artists, new writers, social care students and nature enthusiasts. Times are hard, so I’ve put the course on sale at £35 over the winter. You can also give this experience as a gift by printing out the course download page and putting it in a card.
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