Camille and I are going to attend this workshop. It looks pretty interesting.

Walking and Writing
Advanced Travel Writing Workshop
at the Filipinas Heritage Library

Traveling, whether it is exploring the islands or the sprawling cities of the Philippines, is still the finest way to loosen up, to lighten up, and yes, to learn. There is always a new culture to experience, a secret history to discover, and always more people to meet. The real challenge is how to commit it all --- the ruins, the sunsets, the smiles --- to memory. It's simple, really. All you would need is a notebook and a reliable pen, and your senses alive. Write down what you see, what you smell, what disturbs you and what delights you in a particular place. Let the words flow like the wildest river you've ever seen. Travel write.

What is travel writing? And what's good travel writing and bad travel writing? This workshop will help you discern good travel writing by exploring the works of the best in the genre-Pico Iyer, Colin Thubron, Jan Morris, among others-and will discuss its similarities and connections with autobiographical writing, fiction, and feature writing.

With a walking tour built in to the sessions, workshoppers will also delve into some of its currently popular subgenres, including urban, tourist and experiential, with a practical bent for those who intend to sell their writing to magazines and other publications. Those who wish to explore more theoretical aspects will also be encouraged to discuss such issues as multiculturalism, subjectivism, and colonialism.

Walking and Writing will be held on October 20 and 27, November 3 and 10, 2004. Workshop fee is P 2,500, inclusive of handouts, walking tour, and certificates. Deadline for confirmation is October 15.

The facilitator, Kristine Fonacier, is the Editor-In-Chief of MTV Ink and Music Editor of PULP Magazine. To look at Kristine's works, please visit http://hello.to/mr.zebra. Click on links to view complete stories.

For more information, call 892-1801 or email events@fillib.org.ph. The Filipinas Heritage Library is located along Makati Avenue, across Manila Peninsula.