Blog
November: Becoming A Wild Writer Woman
By: E.B. Page
I spent a weekend at my first writing retreat in Falcon Lake this month: Wild Writing In The Boreal. There were many jokes about wild women writing, but it was pretty wild if I’m being honest. A large part of this was likely due to the fact that, by chance, the group turned out to be made up entirely of women.
I was concerned my anxiety would get the best of me and overshadow the experience. As usual, I was the youngest person there by almost a decade. This always makes me even more nervous to speak in a group of writers. Thankfully, a few of us introverts drank just enough wine that we were able to get to know each other!
The entire weekend was a challenge for me. It became obvious in the first few minutes that I was expected to speak in front of eleven other women, repeatedly, and read out rough first drafts that I had just written. Before I had time to come up with an excuse to leave, the first writer stood to share her piece. She spoke admirably of her most personal experiences. This strong, unapologetic, feminine power set the tone for all of the work shared throughout the weekend. We pushed beyond the superficial and into a depth of emotion that I didn’t expect. It was messy, beautiful and empowering.
We talked about what it is we really want to say. What we need to say. I discovered that if I’m being honest about what these things are, it can be a very complex emotional experience to explore them. The realization that this is not something I alone experience led me to be more courageous in my exploration of my own emotions. It helped knowing I was surrounded by strong women who were also looking inward and discovering what it is they need to say.
On my final morning in the wilderness I awoke to the snapping and crackling of a large fire in the woodstove courtesy of one of my roommates. The scent of woodsmoke drifting up into the loft and through the large windows below I had my very own magnificent view of the lake below. When I left I felt fulfilled and completely focused. I had a clear map in my mind of where my story needed to go and how to build it into something remarkable. I knew I had experienced something wonderful, and I wanted to protect these feelings of empowerment and courage that I’d discovered while writing alongside other women in the wilderness.
When I returned home I took a good look at how I organize my time. I desperately wanted to stay immersed in the magic of writing in nature. I also knew that my vacation was over and I would slide back into my normal life, but I wanted to keep a piece of the wild writing experience in my heart as well as in my mind.
Now that I’m home my novel is still moving slowly. Between three kids, a job, a husband and a big old house in the country writing takes a back seat on occasion, but I’ve cut out some of the noise in between. This has enabled me to pursue my dreams and write recklessly, beautifully and from a place of self-love.
