Dr Robyn Rowland Workshop: Living Flames Burning Words

Due to the state of emergency on the mainland, Dr Rowland has had to postpone her trip to Tasmania until later in the year.

From brushfires, to bog fires, through the flame of the holy spirit to the pagan fires of solstice, fire has been both warm companion and feared and capricious renegade. The elements of fire, water, earth and air are primal sources of inspiration and image. This workshop explores the nature of fire in its many forms, the relationship of fire to feeling, the transformative and destructive power of fire, and its use in ritual.

Photographic material relating to Australian bush fires is explored as are other images. Robyn will also explore the use of fire in her own work and the work of others as examples. This workshop focuses on the emerging meaning of fire and the flame for each writer.

The workshop begins with a talk by Robyn on her own use of the ‘the particular’, analysing her poetry and some prose. This is to enable us to discuss process in writing. Robyn will then cover the various nature of fire and flame. We then move into a guided moment followed by writing towards the topic, a period of writing, and feedback for each participant on their work in terms of the topic set. Each participant is given notes to keep relating to the topic for each workshop, as well as copies of Robyn’s or other poems which exemplify themes.

This workshop can be appropriate for and has been successfully conducted with, established and early writers; poets and prose writers.