Blog
Imagining our way out: anti-racism resources for writers
"[What gives me hope now is...] the writers who are coming into being during a time that threatens the very foundation of a world we like to think of as having progressed from the dark recesses of a bygone world. We are seeing so much of that illusion coming apart and...
Discovering new ways into story: A Q + A with Rowan McCandless
"These innovative forms have allowed me to discover new ways into story, especially about difficult subject matter. I'm excited and honoured to be joining Nicole in mentoring writers as she has mentored me." ~ Rowan McCandless I first...
How I help life writers craft their best work
I love the work I do, helping brave truth tellers write their stories. And I love celebrating when writers are recognized for the work they produce in one of my classes -- when they get their first acceptance with a journal, their name on a contest...
Everyone’s life is a story: A Q and A with Rita Pomade
"What I learned in writing the book was that my life was a story. And by extension, everyone’s life is a story. It’s how you perceive it and the extent to which you’re reactive or proactive that can make it a more or less interesting story. And even if...
Writer, are you ready to meet your Genius?
"In Ancient Greece and Rome people did not happen to believe that creativity came from human beings. People believed that creativity was this divine attendant spirit that came to human beings from some distant and unknowable source. The Greeks...
A New Life Writing Program: Spark Your Story
Working with more than 100 writers over the last two years (and witnessing nearly 400 genre-blending stories make their way into the world) has given me a much greater understanding of the creative process, the most common blocks for life writers, and an...
Case Study: Rachel Laverdiere
"I feel much freer as a writer now." Writer: Rachel Laverdiere of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Course: Spark Your *Outlier* Story & Spark Your *Visual* Story Writing Challenge I’d learned the basics of creative nonfiction through an introductory course and...
My Arrhythmia Still Interferes: A Poem*
He wanted to speak telepathically but our arrhythmias muddled the signals. The sky at an impasse. Dark clouds heavy as an anvil but dazzling where they broke, backlit by the sun. I glanced at him sideways. Dark hair curling around his ears, a...
*Spark* Your Story with $30 off January courses (today only)!
As we head into the busy-cozy season, it can be a real challenge to maintain momentum with our writing. So before things take a turn for the hectic and spirited, I have three potent little invitations for you. First, take a moment to reflect on three gifts related to...
Later I’ll Set Aside Sorrow: A Poem *
We want to believe in the great paradox – that Schrödinger was right about the cat, dead and alive at the same time. And I can stay in bed with a grief hangover; also on time for class. This morning foiled again, strong-armed to my bed by the same anemic dream. I...
I 'm Nicole Breit
- Award winning poet and essayist residing on Canada’s gorgeous Sunshine Coast, the traditional territory of the Skwx̱wú7mesh people.
- Creative writing teacher whose passion is to help writers discover new ways to shape their memories into well-crafted narratives.
