Nature to inspire the ‘write’ stuff

THE Barwon Estuary Project reaches out to all those interested in the biodiversity and health of the Barwon River estuary.
Communities (both permanent and temporary) along the estuary are invited to increase and share their knowledge and appreciation of this amazing area.
The project’s working party has created a variety of ways in which helpers can develop their observation skills and record findings. The working party plans to eventually publish a community-developed journal.
Enrolments are now open for the newest offering: a series of three consecutive writing workshops conducted by award-winning local author Dorothy Johnston and beginning on 20 November.
The workshops will focus on ‘writing from nature’ across a range of genres, from direct observation and journal writing, to poetry, to imaginative prose.
Participants will be offered a selection of stimulus material at the start of each session, both from well-known and lesser known ‘nature writers’.
A part of each workshop will be devoted producing a piece of writing.
Participants will be encouraged to share these, and to comment on each other’s work.
The workshops will focus on developing writing skills, including the use of natural imagery, how to convey a strong sense of place, building a narrative, whether fiction or non-fiction, and how to refine and edit a piece of writing from the first draft stage.
Dorothy Johnston’s 10th novel was published in April. Through a Camel’s Eye, a sea-change mystery, is set mainly in Queenscliff and introduces police constables Chris Blackie and Anthea Merritt.
The workshops are free and open to participants of 12 years and older.
Workshop dates: Sunday 20 November, Sunday 4 December, Sunday 19 February. Registration and inquiries to barwonestuary@gmail.com. For further details on the project and this activity, see barwonestuaryproject.wordpress.com/ where you will also find information about the next Guided Estuary Walk (13 November). All activities are free.