Impromptu is a poetry workshop that is an inspirational session dependent on writing prompts from Jude Neale’s books The River Answers, The Flaw, and Impromptu. Each participant will write four to six poems and have the opportunity to share them with the group. Come prepared to surprise yourself!

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Jude Neale is a Canadian poet, mentor, educator, opera singer and spoken word performer. She has published nine collections of poetry, including A Quiet Coming of Light (Leaf Press, 2014), Splendid in its Silence, which won the SPM Publications (London) Poetry Book Competition and was published there in April 2017, Cantata in Two Voices (Ekstasis Editions, 2018, with Bonnie Nish), A Blooming (Ekstasis Editions, 2019), and Impromptu (Ekstasis Editions, 2020). She has two new books, The River Answers ( Ekstasis Editions 2021), and Inside the Pearl (Guernica Editions September 2021). She has been a winner in competitions featuring flash fiction and short stories and was a finalist for The Pat Lowther award. Her poetry was finalist for the Gregory O'Donoghue Poetry Prize in Ireland. Jude has collaborated with many artists, including, violist and composer, Thomas RL Beckman and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and the visual artist Jane Kenyon at their textile/poetry installation in June and July, 2021, at the Hearth Gallery. Jude believes that her writing should move, elevate, and illuminate.

WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS

As president of Burnaby Writers' Society and host of Spoken INK Reading Series, I have had the honour of featuring Jude Neale three times as she shared her award-winning poetry. Her imagery, use of language, and liveliness in performing has captivated myself and our audiences. As a writer, I have learned so much from her vast experience, and am always inspired by her talent and dedication. ~ Lara Varesi, Burnaby Writers' Society

Jude Neale facilitated a workshop for Planet Earth Poetry that was invigorating, fun, and creatively refreshing. Her natural ability as a facilitator and her passion for coming up with writing prompts put participants at ease right from the beginning. The workshop flowed in a way that was well-paced and inclusive. The prompts themselves reflect Jude's sensibility as a poet and elicited thoughtful and inventive writing. All that in one hour and more! For the short duration of sixty minutes, we dipped into a tide-pools, deep wells, and puddles of inspiration. I highly encourage you to dive into one of Jude's workshops if you have the opportunity.

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