Tuesday Night Write (Weekly Drop-In on Zoom)

The Strathcona Poetry Studio is a space for poets and poetry-lovers to gather, connect, and write in community. Workshops are open to adults (18+) of all experience levels, grounded in the belief that poetry is for everyone. Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, whether you write casually or are working towards a manuscript, you'll find a place here.

Tuesday Night Write is the Strathcona Poetry Studio's virtual community—an ongoing weekly generative space. We will read and discuss a wide range of poems, and practise improvisational writing, learning to appreciate and trust in poetry’s emotional pull. We will practise free writing and writing from prompts in order to enter a flow state, a space where you can say “yes” to your ideas more easily, and generate material in a safe, welcoming, and casual environment. There will be an open invitation at the end of the class to share what you’ve written.

How to prepare:

Be sure to come prepared with your preferred writing tools, whether that's a word processor, pen and paper, ink and quill—just kidding (or not, you do you). We will be gathering virtually, but there are ways to promote a feeling of "togetherness," and I intend to be mindful of this in my facilitation. I encourage you to keep your camera on as much as possible. I also invite you to “set a vibe” in your space: light a candle, make a cup of tea, dim the lights. This is your time to prioritize self-expression and self-care.

About your facilitator:

I am a poet, writer, editor, and teacher living and relying on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver). I am the author of the poetry collection None of This Belongs to Me (Nightwood Editions, 2021), with recent poetry appearing in The Walrus, EVENT, and Arc Poetry Magazine. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.

I have been facilitating the in-person version of the Strathcona Poetry Studio in my home in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood since 2023. Over the last three years, I have seen this community thrive as participants prioritize playful creative exploration and authentic self-expression alongside community care and encouragement. I've seen participants go on to achieve personal goals, such as poetry publications and places in the UBC MFA and the SFU Writer's Studio certificate program. I am so excited, now, to bring this same ethos to a virtual space, prioritizing accessibility and welcoming a wider community.

Feel free to connect with me on Instagram @elliesawatzky.