Testimonials

Testimonials for:  Writing For Life

"I loved my time in Ellery's writing workshop. We were four women of different ages, Maiden, Mother and Crones. I relaxed deeply into the space of permission Ellery offers, permission simply to write down thoughts and feelings. No need to worry about spelling or grammar and no need to be clever or witty. Just to write, not so easy, when I try this alone at home, yet, sitting in Ellery's circle, the words just flowed." "I am touched by how freely we wrote down our hearts and then read our stories out loud to each other. Every time we chose to share our writings, new connections formed between the written and the writer and between speaker and listener. I marvel at the totally unique and creative way each woman expressed her life and the generosity and courage with which she opened herself to the other participants." "The days since the workshop I have woken each day with renewed desire to write down what I feel and think. My expectations have moved into alignment with my desires. My wish is only to free the stream of creativity in my mind and body, to express for the sake of revelation. My inner critic will always be present but I have assigned her the cheap seat in the house." May 2008 "I was surprised by how deeply introspective the journaling exercises turned out to be. I said to friends 'I was going to the Haven for a light weekend writing workshop', well surprise, surprise! Ellery and his wife, Mary Helen are two of the gentlest and kind souls, and since vulnerability was a key aspect of this workshop I'm happy to have been guided through it by theses shepherds of growth and literacy." March 2007 "I have been writing in my journal quite a bit to help me deal with some of the sadness and sense of loss I have been experiencing in my family. I truly believe writing touches one's soul. I will continue to write in my journal as it does my heart good." -Sue M. "I want to thank you and myself, actually, for the journal writing course. It has done wonders for me so far, as I had an unbelievable inability just to write to myself. I'm taking the cue to really listen to my own thoughts and my own voice." -Samantha H. "In the Writing for Health course I felt heard, I felt met. You created a real sense of safety, respect, delight even, for each person's creative voice. Pages and pages poured out of me-things I had forgotten, things I needed to know, or to process, or to appreciate. It was wonderful to choose to share, or not share. You fostered the idea of each writer writing in his/her truth, and the absolute respect of the group upon receiving that truth. I liked the exercises, the variety of places they landed me up in myself. I was amazed at the quantity and quality of work that we produced as a group, and by the cohesiveness and wonder of the group. I've grown to really appreciate your deep respect for people's truth, your gentleness and compassion, how you invite rather than dominate. These qualities of yours have created wonderful spaces where people can explore their heartfelt truths." -Louise A. "Thank you for your gifts of acceptance and inclusiveness given so freely during the Writing for Health course. Although I have journalled for years, I have never experienced such incredible insight into myself and such enjoyment and satisfaction from writing as I felt during that weekend." -Sandy T. "I have continued writing since I left the course. I believe I'm awakening a sleeping dragon, and I'm ready." -Elisabeth E. "Writing for Health was a memorable experience. I approached it with trepidation, having ignored my creative voice for so long. I was fearful that other participants would all be much more experienced and that my poor scribblings would be unacceptable. Instead, I was warmly welcomed, praised and encouraged. The days were filled with emotions welling up from my heart and overflowing onto the pages of my notebook. I found it fascinating to explore so many genres and styles and find among them my own small voice emerging. It was a pivotal experience, one I will always cherish. I have whole-heartedly recommended the course to those of my friends I thought might be interested, not only for the development of writing skills and experience, but also for the deeply felt emotion and understanding of my own inner nature." -Julia T. "Thanks again for that incredible course! I still say it's the best I've taken at The Haven." -Sylvia C. "You could say I'm a course junkie. Writing for Health is amongst the best. Why? Because of its connection with heart, my heart. And others' hearts. I came feeling isolated, distracted, empty. I left feeling full-of skills, insights, warmth and connection to new friends I will cherish a lifetime. I saw and heard people change from withdrawn to radiant. I revelled in their discoveries. I will be back. In the meantime, I do some writing every day to stay grounded." Karen B. "The Writing for Health course benefited me professionally. It gave me a process for dealing with and moving through 'writer's block' every time, no matter how challenging or intimidating the subject appeared. In writing against the clock, I learned to get to the core of the subject, and get down the essentials quickly. I learned to write from my truth, and accept the feeling of vulnerability. I also learned that when writing in this instinctive, rather than cerebral way, what I wrote was effective. I renewed the value of personal risk in a loving and caring environment, and the knowledge that I can create this for myself anytime." -Malcolm P. "Thanks so very much for an excellent journal writing course. Thank you for creating an atmosphere in which I felt free to express myself honestly. I appreciated your support, encouragement, respect and acceptance of each of us in the circle." -Elvina S. "What a great experience that weekend was. Thank you for sharing yourself and your talent. I loved writing, laughing, dancing. Being at Writing for Health has changed my life. It was the most nurturing setting for me to explore myself as a writer, and I want the experience again." -Karen M. "The course helped recharge my batteries and give me a new sense of myself as a writer. I consider Ellery one of my mentors who have guided me in my ongoing quest to become a writer. I can whole-heartedly recommend this course to anyone who wants to explore their inner self and access some of the rich material they find for future writing projects." -Sid T. "I came with small expectations, but what a great course that was! Your facilitation was a joy. I didn't feel the slightest need to fix anything and I've facilitated groups for 15-plus years. I can't completely tell you how essential the encouragement and access to my inner thoughts were to me. That would go on and on. Suffice to say that the course was right action. You held a gracious, safe, encouraging space for us. Telling the truth is strong medicine." -Paulette D. "The way of the journal has been so central to the growth in my life, to my learning to go where the wild and delicious things grow. I wish to offer you a gift-a handful of sea stones, each one seemingly so simple and common, yet upon closer inspection, each a perfect work of art-God's act. They come from the edge, which is a land you've introduced me to through the writing. Sometimes if I stop writing in my journal, I start hanging out under cover-out of the rain and wind. And then my internal bell rings, telling me its time to reconnect with myself through my journal. It's time to return to the magical, mystical, breathtaking edge." -Christy E.

Writing For Life Course Description   |   General Testimonials