Writing Across Diasporas & Generations: A Storytelling Workshop

Do you dream in more than one language? Live in the in-betweenness of cultural norms? Love and clash with different parts of your cultural inheritances? Join memoir writer Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho and poet Phebe Ferrer for a unique listening and writing workshop that invites attendees to explore storytelling in both prose and poetry.

In the first half of the workshop, Wiley will read excerpts from her freshly released memoir The Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street, share some challenges and tips for writing the deeply personal, and lead the group in a generative writing exercise. After a short break, Phebe will read from her poems, lead a discussion on writing diasporic poetry, including non-English words, and provide prompts for a generative writing exercise.

Participants are encouraged to bring small mementos from their own cultural heritage(s), along with writing implements (paper and pen or laptop) for the writing segments. This workshop is designed for inclusive writing in a fun, low-pressure environment. Sharing of writing generated in the workshop is optional. No previous experience is required!

To ensure event attendance and to help us cover costs, this event is $10. Please RSVP here to reserve your spot. If you are experiencing barriers to attend, please reach out over email. We’re happy to provide you with one of our scholarship spots.

About the facilitators:

Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho (Wei-Chiun pronounced "Way Jun") is a Taiwanese Canadian writer, whose award-winning short stories and personal essays have been published in PRISM international, Ricepaper Magazine, River Teeth, Room and several anthologies. A champion for literary community, she is a member of the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop, the Federation of BC Writers, and the North Shore Writers' Association. Her debut book,The Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street, is forthcoming this March from Douglas & McIntyre. Find her online at www.wileyweichiunho.com; Instagram: @howiley

Phebe M. Ferrer is a Filipina poet living on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, also known as Vancouver. Her poetry has been published in Qwerty Magazine, Marias at Sampaguitas, and Chinatown Stories, among others. She has edited creative anthologies featuring work by QT-BIPOC artists through Chinatown Today and decomp journal, and organized workshops on poetry and family histories. Instagram: @phebses

More about Upstart & Crow:

Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on Literature In Translation / Climate Solutions / Poetry / Civic Dialogue / Community & Skills Building … all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees.

Questions: hello[at]upstartandcrow.com.