Finding our creative rhythm✨
Your latest update from Words of a Feather 🍃
As we settle into the rhythm of a new year, these past few weeks have been full of gatherings - the kind that remind me why this work matters so much.
A week before the school year began, we gathered for Summer Story Camp - three days of creative writing workshops inspired by beloved books. Every session was full and buzzing with energy and imagination. While we always arrive with plans and activities, what truly brings these workshops to life is what each young writer brings to the room: their insights about stories and storytelling, the ideas sparked by each book and theme, the way they sink into their own writing the moment quiet time begins, the artwork that naturally appears as part of their creative process, and the generous applause they give each other during sharing circles. The lunchtime laughter and games were pretty special, too!
Last week, we gathered again - this time for our first Writing Day of the year. With temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees, we didn’t spend nearly as much time in the gardens as I’d hoped, but we were blissfully cool writing away in our indoor sanctuary. We began with an opening circle and introductions, moved into deep writing time, paused for a shared lunch, returned to our work, and wove in conversations about publishing and the creative process before closing with a sharing circle.
What strikes me most about both of these gatherings - whether with young writers or adults, whether structured workshops or open writing time - is how quickly we find our rhythm together. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by others in deep flow, all excited by writing and stories, all wrestling with the same creative challenges, all showing up for the work. In that shared rhythm, we help each other simply by being present.
Now, as the school year begins in earnest and we all find our own rhythms for the year ahead, I hope it’s going smoothly for all of our local young writers - whether starting prep, entering grade 6, starting high school, or anywhere around or in between.
This week, we begin Term 1 of The Storytellers’ Club and welcome new and returning mentorship students. I’m excited for our upcoming school programs and new collaborations in the works (stay tuned!), and looking forward to our first Story Soirée of the year on February 20th. Bookings are also coming in for our Autumn Writers’ Retreat in March - if you’re keen, please check it out below. There’s an early bird discount available until February 19!
Whatever your creative rhythm looks like this year, I hope you’re finding time and space to nurture it.
Best wishes,
Coming up…🍃
✏️ The Storytellers’ Club – Term 1
Wednesdays 4-5pm, starting February 4th - Online
Our beloved weekly writing club returns for Term 1! Join us for supportive, imaginative workshops where young writers develop their craft, share their stories, and grow as storytellers.
🌿 Writing Days
Saturday March 28th, 2026, 10am - 5pm
Ringwood East, VIC
Craving dedicated time to write in the new year? Join us for a full day for us and our writing in Melbourne’s east. Sometimes the hardest part of writing isn’t the work itself - it’s carving out the time and space to do it. Our Writing Days are mini writing retreats designed to give you exactly that: a full day in a quiet, beautiful space where you can immerse yourself completely in your creative work.
Gift yourself a day of writing
🎙️ Story Soirées 2026
Friday evenings, bi-monthly (February-October) - our next one is February 20th!
Brunswick, VIC
Our favourite open mic nights return! Join us for intimate evenings where writers share their work in a supportive, welcoming atmosphere. All genres, all styles, all writers welcome. Our February theme is: BEGINNINGS
☀️ Writers’ Retreat - March 2026
The Writer’s Beach House, Venus Bay
Imagine this... views of the water as your words flow onto the page, writing on deck watching sunrises and sunsets over the inlet, beach walks along the shore, and coastal air to make space for new ideas.
Escape into your writing at our coastal retreat in South Gippsland’s Venus Bay. Timed intentionally with the autumn equinox, this immersive weekend offers three nights in our private coastal sanctuary with nourishing meals, guided workshops, sauna and spa access, and 14 acres of wild bushland to explore. Wherever you are at with your writing, all of you is welcome.
Early Bird Special: Save $100 when you book by February 19 with code EARLYBIRD!
Opportunities for Writers 🍃
⚡Flash Fiction Competition – February: BEGINNINGS
As the new year finds its rhythm, we’re excited to welcome back our monthly flash fiction competition. This month’s theme is BEGINNINGS - tiny stories of starts, first steps, and the courage it takes to begin. 100 words or less. Free to enter. Open to all ages, from anywhere in the world.
🌱 Opens: February 1 | Closes: February 15 | Winner announced: February 25
✨Be Part of Words of a Feather
We’re looking for collaborators and contributors! Guest judge our monthly Flash Fiction Competitions, co-host Story Soirées, contribute to The Feather Journal, or join our team as a Story Guide. We welcome writers, artists, and thinkers from all backgrounds, levels of experience, genres, and locations.
So many activities to inspire writing!