Teaching
“To call forth the mind and heart of others, one’s own work has to be from the mind and heart. You must be willing to ask real questions: What are the issues? What are the possibilities? What do you feel? What local stories do you have to tell?” – Jean Houston, A Mythic Life
How do I differ from other writing instructors?
I inspire students to write from their deepest self, not just to arrange and rearrange words. Besides sharing skills and training in creative nonfiction, I offer expertise in diverse fields and genres — not just one specialty area.
Eager to learn more about writing on your own or in a group? Check out my varied offerings below. For private, one-one-one sessions, see Coaching.
For my current and upcoming Writing Workshops, please see News/Events
For my SoulCollage workshops, please see Workshops
Workshops and coaching available for
- Creative nonfiction (memoir; essay; first-person narrative, etc): I work with clients at any stage of a project, from concept to completion
- Journalism (books, articles, opinion pieces, etc)
- Fiction (short fiction, picture books)
- Workplace writing (blog posts, reports, brochures, booklets, etc)
- Personal writing & journalling (hands-on exercises and feedback on any content from spiritual and inspirational to recovery and trauma issues)
- Mental health clients (group and individual)
- Screenwriting (short films, short docs, features, treatments)
I offer writing workshops on writing as a spiritual practice, and other topics by request. I have taught throughout Vancouver, on the Sunshine Coast, in the B.C. interior, and online.
TRAVEL WRITING
I teach travel writing in Continuing Education at Capilano University in Sechelt, BC. This covers practical tips, like writing a query and generating story ideas, to different styles of travel writing, both online and in print media.
CREATIVE WRITING
I have taught creative writing at numerous venues, from the Vancouver School Board to Powell River Digital Film School. I taught creative writing to adults with mental illness for five years through Vancouver Coastal Health, also in Sechelt. Teaching gives me great satisfaction; there is always more to learn from my students.
PROFESSIONAL WRITING
I have taught professional writing full-time at Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC and Introduction to Journalism at the Kootenay School of Writing in Vancouver. While at Selkirk College in Castlegar, B.C., I taught all forms of professional or Applied Writing in the Graphic Communications Department from features and news to public relations, humor, and screenwriting. My students did hands-on projects with students in the Department’s three other program areas: Graphic Design, Photography, and Electronic Publishing.
“[R]ecognizing people’s hidden potentials and involving them in nontraditional teaching-learning communities is the best way to foster personal and social transformation.”
– Jean Houston, A Mythic Life
INSPIRATIONAL & PERSONAL WRITING: For individuals & small groups
As a writing instructor and coach, I help people to reveal and reaffirm their vibrant inner voice as a writer with fun, spontaneous exercises and timed writings. I provide a safe, supportive atmosphere that invites students to write and share personal stories and stream-of-consciousness musings. In my workshops, I strive to help students gain self-acceptance and to write with greater trust and confidence.
A favorite focus is inspiring students to use writing as a tool in personal transformation. I have offered the latter type of courses through the Vancouver School Board, Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre, and in private workshops. The works of Natalie Goldberg (Wild Mind) and Deena Metzger (Writing for Your Life) have provided much rich material for my curriculum.
I offer inspirational writing workshops, private tutorials, and small group seminars.
WRITING COACHING
I coach writers and emerging writers in person and online, and tailor each session to an individual’s unique needs. Clients range from business owners and consultants to fiction and nonfiction writers. For more information, see Writing Coaching
MY TEACHING EMPLOYERS AND VENUES (past and present):
Capilano University (Sechelt, BC)
Coast Arts Building School & Centre Society (Gibsons, BC)
Kootenay School of Writing (Vancouver)
Powell River Digital Film School
Pull Focus Film School, Vancouver, BC
Selkirk College, Castlegar, BC
Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre, Continuing Education,
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (Sechelt, BC)
Vancouver School Board
MY EDUCATION
I graduated with an MFA in creative nonfiction writing from Goucher College, Maryland in the summer of 2009. I was runner-up for the Chris White Award for best memoir excerpt of the graduating class. Decades ago, I received my bachelor of arts degree, with a major in History and minor in English, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Before that, I attended Neuchatel Junior College in Neuchatel, Switzerland and Mimico High School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Courses currently available: Click here to see details
Sharing Your Story: Writing Memoir
This inspirational one-day workshop introduces students to diverse types of memoir and various aspects of related craft from point of view to structure, chronology, and theme. Filled with many practical tips, it includes writing exercises, published examples of various aspects of craft, and an extensive bibliography. Students, beginner or intermediate, or encouraged to bring a work-in-progress for discussion and constructive analysis.
Here is some feedback that I received for this course:
“Man oh man, I really enjoyed your class! It exceeded my wildest expectations . . . I really appreciate all the materials you introduced to us, with books to follow up on. I got that shot in the arm I was needing to get back to it. I look forward to another workshop. The time went by so fast.”
“Thanks for the information, which will be very helpful to me down the road. I am thrilled about writing, and freshly invigorated, thanks to you and your workshop. Your transparency and perspective were like a fresh wind that blew open the unlatched, swaying door of my passion to write. I was elated with my experience.”
Learned a lot in a short session. I liked the interaction between the participants and the visual aids. Well presented. Positive.”
“Great tips. Well-structured presentation. Great overview of steps. I really like your manner of presentation: relaxed and informative.”
Want to keep up-to-date on my teaching workshops and offerings? Click here: Keep me informed
Prose on the Road: The Art of Travel Writing
Do you spin tales of your global adventures but never write them down? This fun workshop helps you move your passion for travel from the road to the page. Through in-class exercises and lively discussion, you learn techniques of top writers in this field and read published samples of what works and what does not. Discover the different types of travel writing and gain helpful tips and resources on potential markets.
Saturday, October 3, 1 to 5 p.m., Sechelt, BC Campus of Capilano University
Saturday, April 18, 1 to 5 p.m., Sechelt, BC campus of Capilano University
Cost: $55
Click here to register online or call 604.885.9350 in Sechelt.
“I sure would recommend people taking the course [Prose on the Road] with you because not only do you know your stuff but you have a simple style of teaching it. The four hours flew by.”
– Powell River author Barb Rees
“Thanks for a great workshop. It was illuminating and a sobering reality check. The handout materials worked well and you have provided excellent “must-reads.”
– Richard Till
“Heather knew her stuff . . .Excellent material , good timing . . .Great extra resources. Good pacing . . . Well organized.”
Writing Creative Non-Fiction - NEW!
From memoir and personal essay to tales of the outdoors, this popular genre offers many exciting writing possibilities. Learn how you can bring literary flair to real-life stories, making truth more compelling than fiction. Discover new techniques through in-class exercises and examining the works of masters of the craft. You are welcome to bring story ideas and/or a work-in-progress for discussion.
Six Mondays (March 16 to April 27 — no class April 13), 7 to 9 p.m.,
Sechelt campus of Capilano University
Cost: $155
Click here to register online or call 604.885.9350 in Sechelt.
The Language of Desire: Writing Erotica - NEW!
Fantasies, fun, or a touch of the wild—what does your sensual self look like on the page? Explore the ancient language of love in new, playful forms. In-class writing exercises highlight the sizzle of the senses, using daring and discovery to honour your personal journey of words. We’ll share and compare the erotic poems and prose of diverse literary figures. Please bring an open mind.
Saturday, March 28, 1 to 5 p.m., Sechelt campus of Capilano University
Cost: $55
Click here to register online or call 604.885.9350 in Sechelt.
Discover the FUN and INSIGHTS of the SoulCollage® process - NEW!
Yoga by the Sea Studio, 1055 Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek Village, The Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
For more information and to register, contact me at 604-886-6520 or 1-800-601-5611. Visit my website www.sunshinecoastsoulcollage.ca. See www.soulcollage.com for more general information about this technique.
What is SoulCollage®?
SoulCollage® is a process through which you contact your intuition and nd create an incredible deck of cards which have deep personal meaning and which will help you with life’s questions.
Writing courses I have offered:
(more information available upon request):
FREE THE WRITER WITHIN: Introductory Creative Writing Course
CELEBRATE YOUR STORY
This stimulating, four-week course encourages students to record special moments and significant events that have shaped their life and writer’s voice. You’ll learn the basics of story-telling, how to honour your personal stories, and the role of larger cultural stories such as myths and archetypal tales.
A LIFE JOURNEY: WRITING YOUR WAY HOME
Using life stages from birth to the “golden years” as metaphors, this creative writing course provides a framework to celebrate and share the victories of each student’s process of self-discovery and healing. It helps students to further their skills in self-editing and rewriting and deepen their commitment to their writing process.
SEASONS OF THE SELF
This course introduces the basics of the writing craft (structure, themes etc) through a cycle-of-life metaphor of the four seasons.
WORDS ON A WELCOME MAT: WRITING YOUR WAY HOME
Where do we feel at home? How do we create home beyond us? As writers, how do we share our sense of home with others?; Through timed writing exercises, we examine the sense of an inner and outer home, playing with the metaphors from a welcome mat/doormat to a magic carpet and red carpet. From Virginia Woolf’s concept of “a room of one’s own” to feeling at peace with our body, we explore what makes us feel safe and comforted vs. fearful and out of place.
What do schools say?
“The course was an instant attraction and has consistently been over enrolled. Feedback has been extremely positive, complimenting both the course and the personal style of Ms. Conn as an instructor.”
- Career and Community Education Services, Vancouver School Board
“Heather consistently generates enormous enthusiasm and achievement on the part of her students. . .She has been a dedicated and outstanding practitioner of the literary arts in all their dimensions.”
- Tom Wayman, Associate Professor of English, University of Calgary
What do writing students say?
“Heather has an amazing talent and gift.”
“I found Heather to be an outstanding teacher, drawing from her students what they hardly knew they knew.”
“You’re a real inspiration to me.”
“Memorable experience. One of the best classes I’ve taken.”
“We have built up a very special connection within the class. It’s been a great experience.”
“Thanks for being such a great (fantastic) teacher. I really enjoy your creative writing courses.”