Events and Projects

Come along to Sunrise Holistic on Saturday 1st September for an excellent opportunity to tune in to your creativity. Writer Charlie Gracie and holistic therapist Teresa Johnston give you the opportunity to combine meditation and creative writing in the company of like-minded other people. The workshop, Our Inner Emotions and The Written Word, will run from 10.30 am till 4 pm.

Teresa’s background in radiation oncology in Seattle, Manhattan, Glasgow and Edinburgh led to her passion for delivering care as an Energy Medicine Practitioner. Teresa says, ‘As a holistic health carer, I consider health with regards to illness and disease as impacted by factors of environment, nutrition, and exercise. Furthermore, my holistic approach also takes into consideration a person’s stress levels, and helping each person to find balance in life.’

Charlie is a writer of poetry and fiction. His first poetry collection, Good Morning, will be followed up later this year by his debut novel, To Live With What You Are, and early next year with his second poetry collection, Tales from the Dartry Mountains. His work has appeared in a number of anthologies and journals and he is a member of the Board for the Scottish Writers’ Centre.

Teresa and Charlie are experienced in running workshops and supporting people to dig deep into their creative selves.

When, where and how much?

We’re looking forward to seeing you on Saturday 1st September at Sunrise Holistic in Bo’ness. To book a place, call Teresa on (44) 0784 140 8120 or e-mail her at SunriseHolistic@gmail.com

The full-day course, with lunch included, costs £55.00. (Let us know of any dietary requirements you have.) Meditation and creative writing are guided and supported by Teresa and Charlie. This is a great chance to energise and express yourself.

Charlie Gracie is developing an exciting partnership with Teresa Johnston from Sunrise Holistic. Teresa has established a centre for spiritual and emotional balance in Bo’ness over the last few years – now she’s brought a poet in to tip it all up with creative writing workshops!

We had our first venture in April this year and it was a fantastic evening with an excellent group of people. The group brought such a lot of energy and I’m convinced that the space Teresa has created in her centre really adds to the creative energy. We have other creative writing workshops planned for Wednesday 25th August (evening) and Saturday 1st September (all-day with writing and meditation).

Creative writing is important. It’s important for us all that people dig into themselves and lay it out for others to read and feel and think about. It’s also important for us all as individuals to tap into what’s inside us; I know I couldn’t survive without writing.

So, if you’re new to creative writing, need to get your spark back or are looking to link in with other like-minded people, this could be for you. We create a friendly, supportive atmosphere with plenty of encouragement and no pressure. Our aim is to help you learn how you can bring your words to life. We want you to leave feeling refreshed and energised, with your inner emotions more connected to your expressiveness and creativity. Sunrise Holistic is all about improving your health and helping you to re-balance your life – your creative spark is an important part of who you really are.

Get in touch with Teresa at Sunrise Holistic to book your place at either of the creative writing workshops.

It’s easy to book your place: contact Teresa at Sunrise Holistic on Facebook by phone on 07841408120 or by email at SunriseHolistic@gmail.com

Would you like to take part in an emotionally and creatively energising workshop in beautiful surroundings? I’m delighted to be working with holistic therapist Teresa Johnston to offer this opportunity.

We are excited to offer a day retreat focused on the many benefits of mindfulness in relation to inspiration and creativity. The cost is £55.00 and includes a morning walking meditation, then creative writing, followed by lunch (with vegetarian and gluten-free options). In the afternoon, we will introduce further writing techniques complimented with seated meditation.

The workshop takes place on Saturday 24th March 2018 in rural Stirlingshire.

Teresa, originally from Seattle, teaches mindfulness meditation at Sunrise Holistic, her healing practice in Falkirk.

Based on the beautiful West Moss-side Farm by Thornhill, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous scenery and enjoy the comfort of like-minded people to fuel your both your writing and meditating practices. West Moss-side is run by organic farmer and basket maker Kate Sankey. Kate’s place is a hub for all sorts of natural creativity, based on the edge of Flanders Moss in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Space is limited to 15 participants and booking is essential. To reserve your place, call Teresa on 07841408120 or email SunriseHolistic@Gmail.com

We are looking forward to sharing a wonderfully creative and peaceful day.

I was really honoured to be one of the judges for the first Get Write In! competition for children with care experience.

The judging panel was chaired by Raymond Soltysek. Our Makar, Jackie Kay, also a judge, presented the prizes and gave a humorous, warm and encouraging speech in praise of the winners.The winners were presented with their prizes by Jackie and Mark McDonald, Scotland’s Minister for Childcare and Early Years, at a special event at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The fantastic prizes included a trip to the Harry Potter Experience in London with overnight stay and travel, a storytelling and creative writing workshop, and tickets for Scottish Book Trust Authors Live events.

The junior winner was Joseph Ness for his entry ‘Dumb’, and winner in the senior category was William Cathie with ‘New Life’. All the young writers submitted moving work, some of which was funny and much of which reflected their lives in care: strong and articulate young people.

Get Write In! was supported by The Scottish Book Trust, Who Cares? Scotland, the University of Strathclyde, and the world famous Edinburgh International Book Festival. The other judges were Fiona Buggy from Who Cares? Scotland, Niall Walker from The Scottish Book Trust and Dr. Graham Connolly from CELCIS.

Participants from throughout Scotland were encouraged to submit a 500 word creative story in either English or Scots, capturing the theme of ‘Random Moments’ about an unexpected surprise, a moment that was a turning point, or a fork in the road, which could be transformed into an inspiring story. CELCIS (read their piece on the competition here) led the development of the competition and, as usual, were able to bring lots of energy from writers and people who support looked after children.

Check out my blog on the CELCIS website written on the day of the ceremony.

A book launch is a great night out for any writer and I’ve been at a few recently. Two of my writers’ group, Gail Honeyman, Kev Scott, and former member Maggie Ritchie had their events at Waterstone’s in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street. Brilliant nights they were too.

Last night, it was Stirling Central Library for the launch Moira McPartln’s Wants Of The Silent, second in her Sun Song trilogy. It was a magic night, with lovely readings, a big crowd and… cake!

Tonight I’m back to Waterstone’s for the launch of Bernard MacLaverty’s latest.

It’s inspiring to go to these events, to meet fellow writers and to tune into the various and wonderful creative voices.

Hope there’s cake tonight!

I will be tutoring at the newly reformed Stirling Writers’ Group for the next couple of weeks, starting on Tuesday, 18 October. The group, still organised by Robert Ritchie, will be meeting in its new home: the Burgh Coffee House in the city centre from 7pm.

It is through Stirling Writers’ Group that I developed confidence in my writing. This was mainly under the tutorship of Magi Gibson and, latterly, Chris Powici. Many people of note have passed through the group. I hope that this new start is a sign that the energy that made it the best group in the country (in many people’s view) is now reinfected.

Come along. Be part of Stirling Witers’ Group.

Come East to WEST for a great night of music and spoken word. The Scottish Writers’ Centre is bringing together six poets: Charlie Gracie; Finola Scott; Mary Thomson; Derek Parkes; Lesley Traynor and Frances Corr for a great evening of poetry and music at WEST Brewery in Glasgow Green.

The evening will compered by the incomparable Donal McLaughlin, award winning short story writer and translator.

Musician Will McArthur will be there, and the whole evening will be free to all. If you come East to WEST you’ll have a blast.

I am delighted to be taking part in such an excellent event with such a range of talented musical and writerly artists. The writer, Ruby McCann, Chair of the Scottish Writers’ Centre has put a huge effort into getting this excellent evening going.