"Diving into the Wreck"
Writing Workshops 2025, in person, Cape Town
Connect with your authentic writing voice in an intimate workshop setting this year. My workshops are small, (max of 6 people) and offer a safe space to explore writing about things you might not have even been aware were pressing inside you. The workshops are about diving deep, and finding what is there, bringing it back and writing about it. (Read Adrienne Rich's poem, by clicking the link.)
Through guided exercises and supportive feedback, these sessions will deepen your writing practice and enrich your creative life. The outcome is not focused on a publication project but can be a way to work on finishing one. You will feel excited to continue writing on your own.
"You are the only one of you, … your unique perspective, at this time, in our age, whether it’s on Tunis or the trees outside your window, is what matters. Don’t worry about being original …Yes, everything’s been written, but also, the thing you want to write, before you wrote it, was impossible to write. Otherwise, it would already exist. You writing it makes it possible.”
Annie Dillard
Workshop Details
R500 per session
Attend one workshop or the full series
Each session provides a complete creative experience
Limited to 6 participants per workshop
How to Book
Email: cdhiggs@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 0727743546
Early booking recommended to secure your place
2025 Workshop Schedule
All sessions run 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Friday, February 14th
Friday, March 14th
Friday, April 11th
Friday, May 9th
Friday, June 20th
More about me as a writing teacher and writer
I was one of the first creative writing teachers in South Africa, starting in 1993 at the Wits Centre for Continuing Education, working with TELIP where I rewrote their creative writing Teacher Guide. I started the Aerial writing class with Robert Berold at the Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa (ISEA) in Makhanda (Grahamstown) back in 1997 (it is still going). I also held weeklong writing retreats in Nieu Bethesda and Makhanda for several years and a weekly writing session, OUT TO LUNCH, at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town for seven years when I worked there. I am the founder and publisher of Modjaji Books, an award-winning independent publishing company that started in 2007.
My published work includes a collection of short stories, Looking for Trouble, two collections of poems, Half Born Woman and Lava Lamp Poems and a memoir, my mother, my madness. I've also had stories, poems, reviews and narrative non-fiction published in anthologies and literary and commercial magazines and journals, both locally and internationally. I’ve had stories translated into French and Croatian. While working at the Centre for the Book, I wrote and published A rough guide to small-scale and self-publishing. It was translated into 4 other SA languages and has sold thousands of copies. In addition, I have compiled and edited five African Small Publishers’ Catalogues.
What others have said
“When I joined Colleen’s writing sessions and she said ‘paper and pen’ I thought OH NO I CANNOT DO THIS. And yet! What an amazing experience I had and how much I learned, in a space that is creative, totally welcoming and safe. Colleen is a fantastic facilitator, we wrote, we had fun, we laughed, sometimes we cried, we drank tea and ate delicious biscuits, we got stuff down on paper, we were INSPIRED. She made it all so easy!” Sandi Caganoff
"Colleen brings insight and experience to the writing process, stimulating the writer’s mind through various devious techniques to stop us ‘thinking’ and get words onto paper. It was a joy to participate in this morning workshop, connecting with other minds and others’ stories in the making." Lynn Joffe
“Thanks for a great workshop and these wonderful tools.” Lynette Maart
“I love Colleen’s writing workshops because of her approach to stimulating the collective juices of the group. Over a few hours, total strangers become friends as we listen deeply to each other’s writing and return, inspired, to the next challenge. I love it that she writes with us, to the same cues, and encourages trust and deep sharing with her own honesty and vulnerability. The hours pass too quickly…” Colleen Crawford Cousins
"It was inspiring to hear each writer's voice emerge as the morning unfolded, and we all left feeling empowered and encouraged. Don't miss this!" Keren Hoy
"I came home from Colleen’s writing workshop energised by the process and the people. I can highly recommend a few hours around a table with creative souls and Colleen at the helm." Liz Sparg
"Arriving a bit late and feeling the usual trepidation and anxiety (last minute feelings of hesitation...do I really want to try this...again?), I thoroughly enjoyed the morning...the different techniques used to get the creative 'juices' flowing, the intimate group, the encouragement and input from Colleen and the relaxed atmosphere, all helped my thoughts just flow. It seemed much easier than before..." Dalene Kapah
“I appreciated that Colleen wrote pieces with us. She is a skilled and empathetic facilitator. The small group was caring and conducive to writing. I will be back for another workshop.” Sarah Buchner