There is a growing focus on stories that speak to the 'lived experience' of cancer and our Christchurch writing workshop will provide a platform for you to write about, and share, your journey under the careful guidance of a professional writer and workshop facilitator Jane Bissell.

Everyone experiences cancer differently – so what's your story? 
The telling of our stories can enrich and illuminate our own lives, especially when we're dealing with a traumatic life event such as a cancer diagnosis.

Our stories can also provide insight, guidance, understanding, and inspiration to others, and this workshop will help you explore creative and practical ways to get your best ‘breast’ story onto the page.   

Through a connected series of writing exercises and discussions, participants will explore their experiences during the workshop, with time for writing, discussion, and sharing (there is no pressure to share however participants will be given opportunities to read their work to the group and receive feedback).

Note: With guidance from Jane, participants will have the opportunity to publish their stories on the Breast Cancer Support Aotearoa  website if they choose, however this is entirely up to the writer and is not the purpose of this workshop. 

In this workshop we will: 

• write our stories using guided prompts and exercises, 

• discuss permission, truth and allowing yourself to tell the story you want and  need to tell,

• discuss how writing can benefit you and others, 

• explore ways to get started with your writing and to keep going, 

• look at the breast cancer continuum, writing about diagnosis day, treatment, recovery, and adjustment to 'a new normal',

• share stories as we write (but there is no pressure to share!), 

• talk about the writing discipline, to keep working and complete your stories after the workshop.​
  
  ​What to bring:

• your writing tools (pen and paper, laptop),

• a drink and your lunch (tea and coffee provided).

This workshop is limited to fifteen participants so book early to secure your place.   

About Jane
Jane is a well known Auckland-based writing workshop facilitator, writing mentor, and ghostwriter and is a member of the NZ Society of Authors. 
In 2001 she experienced an event that changed the course and direction of her life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.  
"My first thought was, 'This is horrible', the second was, 'I'll write about it' and the third was, 'It may be too painful to write about.'"
But she did it anyway because it was too painful to keep it in.
The results were her books 'Welcome to the Amazon Club' published in 2004 and the follow up 'The Pink Party' in 2006. 
Jane edited Oysters for Lunch, a collection of stories written by women living with metastatic breast cancer who participated in one of her writing workshops. 
"I hope you will join me for this workshop day. It will be insightful, motivational and inspirational, and we will all enjoy the unique privilege of sharing stories that have meaning for us. This workshop is limited to fifteen participants so book soon to secure your place."