WRITE BY THE LAKE: A summer writers retreat

July 25 - July 29, 2010

5th annual Write By the Lake summer writers workshop.

Please contact me for details about how to register for the Fifth Annual Write by the Lake.

SPRING WRITING WORKSHOP, Collected Works Bookstore & Coffee Bar, Holland at Wellington,Ottawa.

April 12 - June 7, 2010. Eight week workshops: fall, winter and spring, usually Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m.

Price: $175. To register, please contact me for more information.

THE FICTION WORKSHOP, English 2903A Summer Term 2010, Carleton University.

May 10 - August 17, 2010, Tuesday evenings, 6-9 p.m.

Accepting portfolios for registration.

For more information please contact me, and Carleton University English Dept. website.

Fifth Annual Write By The Lake

Jumpstart & Develop short stories, novels, poetry, travel and memoir writing.

Located on a quiet lake in Val des Monts, Quebec, only thirty minutes from downtown Ottawa. Some folks will probably carpool to make transportation easier.

NOTE: For those who do not wish to drive, there are two rooms available in the neighbouring lakeside Bed & Breakfast cottage. Please call 613 728-3237 for details and reservation.

Each day, time will be allocated for writers to work alone, but much of the time will be devoted to writing exercises; learning how to balance inspiration and discipline; finding a personal voice; choosing a subject and developing a sense of structure. There will be a focus on group critiques of works-in-progress, and creative acts of revision and self editing. The workshop will consist of a comfortable blend of beginner, intermediate and advanced writers. Expect suggestions and advice about how to discover the hidden stories within the stories you think you are writing. Look forward to a guest writer, and other literary surprises.

Rick Taylor's Write By The Lake Workshop, July 2005 inside "LiliPad"

The workshop will meet from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then take a 2 hour break which will include a tasty lunch and perhaps a canoe, kayak or swim in one of the most picturesque lakes imaginable. We will begin again at 1 p.m. and work until 3 p.m. Friday afternoon concludes with a potluck celebration.

Write By The Lake (2005) afternoon session beneath canopy of sunlit birches.

The cost is $350.00 for the week: $100.00 deposit as soon as possible, and $250.00 at registration. For more information please contact Rick by email at taylorswave@sympatico.ca.

For information on the Write By The Lake cottage, see lilipad.ca

Jumpstart & Develop your short stories, novels, poetry, travel and memoir writing

Located beside a quiet picturesque lake in Val-des-Monts, Quebec, only 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Some folks will probably carpool to make transportation easier.

Each day, time will be allocated for writers to work alone, but most time will be devoted to writing exercises; learning how to balance inspiration and discipline; finding a personal voice; choosing a subject and developing a sense of structure. There will be a focus on group critiques of works-in-progress, and creative acts of revision and self editing. The workshop will consist of a comfortable blend of beginner, intermediate and advanced writers. Expect suggestions and advice about how to discover the hidden stories within the stories you think you are writing. Look forward to a guest writer, and other literary surprises.

"Write By The Lake" morning session inside "LiliPad"

The workshop will meet from 9am to 11am, and then take a 2 hour break which will include a tasty lunch and perhaps a canoe, kayak or swim in one of the most picturesque lakes in Eastern Canada. We will begin again at 1pm and work until 3pm. Friday afternoon concludes with a potluck celebration.

"Write By The Lake" afternoon session beneath canopy of sunlit birches.

The cost is $300.00 for the week: a $50.00 deposit a.s.a.p., and $250.00 at registration. For more information contact Richard Taylor by email taylorswave@sympatico.ca. Also check website lilipad.ca.

Creative Writing Workshop

Creative Writing at the Pari Center For New Learning is in the heart of a medieval Italian hilltown. Relax and learn, bathe in the local hotspring or visit Siena, Florence and nearby Etruscan sites.

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES, Newswest, March 2005

It's not as romantic as a hilltop in Tuscany, an island near Hong Kong, nor as exciting as a lively Australian beachfront, three exotic locales where Richard Taylor has run writing workshops, but Collected Works Bookstore, "one of the best independent bookstores in Ottawa," offers a rich atmosphere for Taylor's writing workshops.

Local author Richard Taylor has been running workshops at Collected Works Bookstore and Coffee Bar for over eight years. Writers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds meet around a table at the back of the store. In a typical workshop, students discuss their writing, examine and practice various aspects of the craft and give feedback about their works in progress.

" At any given moment," explains Taylor, " the atmosphere can be upbeat, pensive, focused, improvisational, studious, poignant, soulful, sunny or sad as we read our writing to see what makes a manuscript work, and what might make it work better."

Taylor also balances his workshops with practical tips where he discusses the writer's market, getting published, editing, and upcoming literary events and contests.

After teaching over 50 eight week workshops since 1992 in Ottawa and around the world, Taylor understands what people gain from them. " I feel that I can motivate aspiring writers into being better writers and readers. And in some cases, the people who take my workshops take it as a stepping stone towards other forms of personal growth. I have made a lot of friends as a result of teaching."

About a quarter of Taylor's students at Collected Works are from the neighbourhood, which makes for a helpful networking environment. It is also a good setting for writers, says Taylor, because they " are surrounded by some of the finest literature in the world." He says the staff " really know their stuff" and is involved in the local writing community. The store "prides itself in being a special place for readers, and writers."

As a bonus, Taylor assures me the location "offers some of the best coffee in town, and the second best homemade cookies." He is known to bring his own famous cookies to class!"

Taylor has helped jumpstart many writing careers. When asked about the best compliment he has received as a teacher, he tells me, "aside from having the pleasure of helping people get their words on paper, many writers have thanked me in the acknowledgement page of their published books of poetry, short stories, memoirs or novels." On the flip side, he says, "the worst criticism any writing teacher can get is when an aspiring writer stops writing."

Taylor's credentials range from a published novel, a collection of short stories, his recent travel memoir, HOUSE INSIDE THE WAVES: Domesticity, Art and the Surfing Life, and feature articles for the Ottawa Citizen, In Flight magazines and travel anthologies. He teaches writing at Carleton University and is working on a book about swimming called WATER AND DESIRE. For more information about upcoming workshops at Collected Works Bookstore, contact Richard Taylor at (613) 7861422.

"Rick Taylor is an inspiring and extremely energetic teacher. He takes much thought to presenting additional materials. He is excited about writing and infuses his classes with this while being aware of each person's style and ability and being sensitive to this. I met Rick before my first book was published and he was an integral force in helping this to happen. He had a feeling the book was ready to come together and was determined to help. Rick's great strength, along with his own writing, is his ability to see possibilities and potentials in others and act on this. This makes him a great teacher."

- Michelle Desbarats, author of a book of poems, Last Child To Come Inside.

"Rick Taylor expresses great enthusiasm for his student's work. Whatever your skills or preferred genre, he approaches the work on its own terms and keeps you motivated to the end. Helping writers find the right forum for publishing their pieces is one of his key strengths."

- Alison Gresik, author of the collection of short stories, Brick and Mortar. (The manuscript of this book was taken to Oberon Press and handed to the editor along with a strong letter of recommendation written by Rick.)

"I've done two writer's workshops with Richard and both times found his approach helpful to my writing. Richard's passion and his considerable experience make him inspirational to beginner and experienced writers alike. His workshops have shown me how to bring a better focus and energy to my own writing. Most importantly, the workshops have motivated me to take my own writing more seriously."

- Doug Murray, Professor, Media, Design Algonquin College.

"Richard's classes are always fun. He is an inspiring teacher who brings a down to earth element to his classes. He analyses the best short stories in a straight forward manner and everyone in his classes benefits from his dedicated belief that all of us can write. He encourages people to do their best and believes in the goodness of people. This positive attitude makes the chore of writing a miracle in creation."

- Sue Davidson.

"I received a learner's permit for my poetic licence at Richard's workshops. Rick made it fun and safe to begin sharing my poetry. As a result I have continued to write and to take my writing seriously. Rick exhorted students to read widely, and write continuously...inspiring us with his own and others' experiences of writing and publishing. There is an old saying that when the student is ready the teacher will appear - thanks Richard for making your appearance at just the right time in my life when I was ready to write seriously."

- Rebecca Leaver.

"Rick's humour, practical advice and encouragement were just what I needed as a fledgling writer."

- Columnist, Mary Ellen Knot.

"Richard Taylor has a gift for inspiring terrified would be writers to actually sit down and write. One of the writing exercises that we did in class led to my first short story. Subsequent exercises led to two more stories. His enthusiasm and encouragement have kept me going despite the terror of the blank page. The various pieces of writing we read in class were helpful in introducing us to a variety of styles and approaches. He is also good at pointing students in the direction of other writers whose work might prove helpful to them. His obvious enthusiasm for writing and reading are contagious and make for a dynamic course. "

- Judith Holman.

"Just wanted to thank you for a perfect week at the WRITE BY THE LAKE Summer Writers Retreat at Lac Brassard. To all appearances I was not there, but that couldn't be further from the truth. For me your week workshop was a beginning 'jumpstart' if you like of new growth, perhaps as a writer, definitely as a person. You encourage creativity in people in such a positive way. Enjoy the rest of your summer and thanks. You can quote me. I would love to know that my words of encouragement somehow reached someone like me and helped them to try to believe in themselves again."

- Jackie Parks.

Mark Foss who took the Fiction Workshop at Carleton University and a couple of 8 week workshops at Collected Works wrote in the front of his first published book of linked short stories, Kissing The Damned, published by Oberon: Oct. 13, 2005.

"For Rick Taylor - teacher, mentor, friend. The first copy goes to you. Thanks for all your support and encouragement. It wouldn't have happened but for you."

- Mark Foss.

In the acknowledgement page he wrote: "Above all I am indebted to Richard Taylor for believing in the book enough to push and prod me into discovering new depths, and for cheerleading."

"In 2001 I signed up for a creative writing class with Richard Taylor at Nepean Public Library - thinking it was for poetry, when in fact it was for prose. I decided to give it a try. Richard's class was my literary laxative."

- In 2005 Elizabeth Radmore published her first novel, Cushla: Memoirs of a Gypsy Girl, and inscribed it: To Richard. "Thanks for helping me get started."

"Thanks for leading the way in creating a fun and safe space for the writers in us to explore and 'play'. I absolutely love coming to the workshop."

(After publishing two pieces from the workshop, one in the Globe and Mail's Facts and Arguments, and another in The Montreal Gazette's Arts & Life, Catherine Stafford wrote: "Consider yourself a great midwife for the writing babies that are manifesting."