Let’s Talk Writing – Where do Story Ideas come from?

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve started my very own PODCAST! My lovely friend and fellow retreat facilitator Kerstin Pilz and I have joined forces to create a series of discussions about topics dear to our hearts – Let’s Talk Writing!

When I was travelling and working in Far North Queensland recently we recorded a number of sessions at ARTS NEXUS recording studio in beautiful Babinda – Madanji country, near where my father’s family had their cane farm in Innisfail.

Kerstin pretending to be short 🙂

In OUR FIRST EPISODE we discuss where story ideas come from.

Where can you find story ideas? What ideas are worth pursuing? Too many ideas? How can you narrow it down to just one to write about? In this episode of Let’s Talk Writing, Kerstin and I discuss where story ideas come from and how to make compelling stories from them.

So where do you get your story ideas? Some people dream them, others have a flash of inspiration or a sentence that comes fully formed. Others write from their own lives, or the lives of others. Some find story characters tapping them on their shoulders demanding to be heard.

What about you? Where do you get your story ideas? And what do we do if they seem to dry up?

Here are some images to use as prompts.

I find that even when I think I’ve got nothing to say, once I start writing the pen has its own wisdom. If we can only step aside and let the creative force that flows through all things flow through us, the words will come.

Give it a try 🙂 Pick one of the above images, put your timer on for 5 minutes and write like the wind! Don’t think, just write!

How did you go? I’d love to know. If you’re happy with how it turned out please post your piece in the comments.

Enjoy listening to our very first episode of Let’s Talk Writing!

With lots of love

Edwina xx

LIFE WRITING AND MEMOIR RETREAT – October 21 – 23 2022 Springbrook QLD.

Put yourself in this picture 🙂

This is the view from the top of our very own waterfall (well it’s not really ours, it belongs to the the Yugambeh people of the land, we just get to admire it for a weekend) situated just a short walk from our cosy nun rooms on retreat at the Theosophical Society Education and Retreat Centre in Springbrook in the beautiful rainforest of the Gold Coast hinterland.

I love this retreat centre for its calming peaceful energy and the blessing of the beautiful women seekers who grace the walls in the dining hall.

This retreat is specially designed to help you write that memoir or life story and is beneficial for anyone wanting to get some of their stories out of their heads and onto the page. The workshops include lots of writing activities with prompts for writing from life, as well as helpful advice and methods to begin structuring your memoir. Life is huge! How do we organise it to make it a compelling read for others?

Let me show you how.

Come along and join the fun of retreat. Prices include two gentle yoga sessions, four writing workshops covering all aspects of writing from life, all meals and cosy single accomodation with bathrooms shared between two women. ONLY $480 for the whole weekend!

You can BOOK HERE but remember to check in with me to ensure availability.

Writing can be a lonely business but it needn’t be. Connecting with other writers on the same adventure is one of the greatest joys of the writing life. Treat yourself to some time out of the usual busyness and demands of life. Be inspired by fun creative workshops, relax with some gentle yoga and connect with like minded women in a tranquil natural environment.

Put yourself at the top of your TO DO list for once. Refill your tank and renew your love of writing and life.

With lots of love

Edwina xx