“Asymmetrical Writing” Workshop with Andy Couturier
June 29 (Sunday) 1:30–5:00 pm.
at David Duff ‘s home in Shimogamo, Kyoto
Workshop description:
“The artist is giving a gift, I think, if she leaves some connections unfinished. Implied. The artist is giving a gift, I think, when the composition is multifaceted, offering a multitude of elements that combine in an abundance of ways. There’s space for the viewer — or reader — to move around inside.”
—From Andy’s essay in Kyoto Journal.
Learn to embrace ambiguity and surprise in your writing. With the approach of “asymmetry” — based on ikebana design, Chinese ink paintings and Japanese rock gardens — a writer can be more generous to to their reader while at the same time capturing the true complexity of the world, and the mystery of human life. Not only does this make the writing process much easier, it also gives the reader more freedom to participate in the fertile act of creation.
In this experiential workshop, you can generate a fresh, new piece of writing that allows the reader a way to enter the work with their own creativity and imagination, and you will take home a technique you can use to generate first drafts quickly, with flair and panache.
About Andy
Andy Couturier is the author of Writing Open the Mind, and has been an independent writing instructor of more than 25 years with theopening.org. He is the winner of the 2017 Nautilus award for Sustainability and Green Living (Gold). In addition to teaching, he has finished 4 full-length manuscripts, and published 3 books, including The Abundance of Less, a highly acclaimed book about sustainable living in rural Japan. Andy has over 50 publication credits including Kyoto Journal, MIT Press, The Oakland Tribune, The Japan Times, and more.
What to bring: Pen or pencil, and a hardback journal, or a laptop or tablet if you prefer. We will probably not have tables available so be prepared to write on your lap.
TO SIGN UP:
Please send an email to Rebecca Otowa rebecca.on.her.way@gmail.com by June 20. I will reply and give directions to David’s house.
Limit (space considerations): 10 people.