Date:    Wednesday, November 23, 1 - 3 pm

Venue:  Room 201, Brian Mulroney Hall, St. Thomas University

In this workshop Oddgeir Synnes will give an introduction to creative writing in later life based on his vast experience from giving courses in creative writing for older adults in various settings. Attention will be given to a presentation of texts written by participants and reflections on how the access to various literary forms and genres might open for aesthetic and existential meaning making that can involve affirmation and dignity. The workshop will also engage the participants through several exercises of creative writing that can give an increased understanding of what the method might have to offer.

Oddgeir Synnes is visiting chair in gerontology at St. Thomas University Fredericton and associate professor at VID Specialized University in Oslo, Norway. Synnes is a literary scholar and has for many years worked in uses of literature and creative writing in later life and in health care contexts. He has led courses in creative among older adults, including at municipal libraries, in nursing homes and in dementia care. He has also worked with creative writing in mental health and in palliative care. His PhD comprises an analysis of poems and stories from creative writing in palliative care. Synnes has published extensiveley on various forms of storytelling and writing in the mentioned contexts. His latest book is A Poetic Language of Ageing (with Olga V. Lehmann – Bloomsbury Academic, forthcoming

Registration Fee: $5.00 for Third Age Centre members, $10.00 for non-TAC members

To Register:  Call Carol Alvarez at Third Age Centre   506-452-0526 ... or email 3rdage@stu.ca