Cecily Nicholson: Sense of Place
Cecily Nicholson in a writing exercise during Paper Covers Rock in 2022.
The October 1, 2022 workshop with author Cecily Nicholson focused on the idea of place, meeting, and welcome, and how these concepts relate to writing and poetry. Throughout the workshop, Nicholson emphasized the importance of finding our own places to think and embodying our writing practice through deliberate and intentional actions.
One key highlight of the workshop was the idea of making impressions and mark-making in poetry. Nicholson used the analogy of a linocut in printmaking, where carving away space creates the image on the paper. Similarly, in poetry, the words on the page work with the spatiality of the page, as well as the language, creating a unique form that separates poetry from prose. Nicholson also emphasized the importance of considering all of our senses in poetry, including smell and sound, which can create context, cadence, and connectivity.
Another important point that Nicholson discussed was the idea of tools for writing. She highlighted the importance of having a comfortable and distraction-free space to write, as well as a structure for organizing our time and facilitating our writing practice. She also emphasized the importance of recognizing and naming ourselves as writers, and being deliberate and intentional in our practice.
Name it. You write. You’re a writer. Of course you are.
Throughout the workshop, Nicholson encouraged writers to think about the macro and micro aspects of their writing, from the world-building of their work to the precise language and detail of their poetry. She also discussed the importance of considering the reader in our writing and using formal constraints as a way of pushing ourselves to engage in a deeper way with our subject matter.
Poetry can just not use syntax. You can use emphasis, repetition, say the same thing in different ways, look at perspective, scale. Find cadence and rhythm. Circle back. It’s not unlike an essay. We want the poem to take us somewhere.
Overall, the workshop with Cecily Nicholson provided valuable insights and strategies for writers and poets looking to deepen their practice and find their own places to think. Nicholson's emphasis on intentional and deliberate action, as well as the consideration of all of our senses in poetry, provides a unique perspective on the craft of writing. Whether an experienced writer or just starting out, Nicholson's workshop offered valuable insights and tools for anyone looking to improve their writing practice.
Cecily Nicholson is a poet, essayist, and community organizer based in British Columbia, Canada. She has published several collections of poetry, including "Wayside Sang" and "Triage", which won the 2012 ReLit Award for Poetry. In addition to her writing, Nicholson is also the administrator of the artist-run centre Gallery Gachet and the co-founder of the Purple Thistle Centre, a youth arts and activism space. Her work often explores themes of place, identity, and social justice.
