The Art of Place-Based Writing
About this Event
Step out of the digital noise and join authors Kavi Yaga and Jeffree Morel for an immersive evening of communal writing where nature becomes your muse and your mentor.
Our workshop is designed to help you unearth fresh creative material, deepen your sense of place, or simply spend an inspiring evening outdoors with fellow writers.
Instructors
Kavi Yaga is an award-winning writer and 2023 Yaddo Fellow who is here all the way from India. Her fiction and travel writing explore how landscape, memory, and inner perspective shape the way we experience the world.
Jeffree Morel is an interdisciplinary writer, nature educator, forager, and recipient of the 2026 Oregon Literary Fellowship. As founder of Foraging for More, he hosts immersive workshops connecting people to the land through mindful foraging and forest bathing.
What Awaits You
- Immersive Readings: Kavi Yaga shares passages from her short story collection The Vanishings and travel memoir Walking in Clouds, exploring the relationship between physical place and mood, tension, and plot.
- Sensory Forest Strolls: Guided by Jeffree Morel, we’ll journey through a lushly cultivated food forest, engaging all senses to interact with the flora and fauna.
- Generative Writing: After filling our cups with natural beauty, we’ll sit down and share quiet writing time based on the setting and provided prompts. Let water, sky, earth and evening light spark your pen.
- Snacks & Conversation: Wrap up the evening with a non-alcoholic foraged soda homemade by Jeffree and traditional Indian finger foods by Kavi reflecting themes from her work. [Bring a blanket or towel to lounge on! Or no need if there is a picnic table]
- A Sustainable Keepsake: Every participant will receive a complimentary, eco-friendly hardbound notebook crafted from eco-waste and an eco-friendly pen for the workshop. You can take them home to continue your writing journey.
Evening Schedule
- 6:00 – 6:15 PM: Welcome, gathering, and introductions at the pavilion
- 6:15 – 6:35 PM: Author reading and interactive discussion
- 6:35 – 7:25 PM: Forest strolls and generative writing
- 7:25 – 7:45 PM: Optional sharing circle for those who wish to read aloud
- 7:45 – 8:00 PM: Treats, book signing, and informal chats
The Details
- Date: Wednesday, August 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- Location: Lower Macleay Park, Portland
- Accessibility: The gathering spot and main park paths are ADA-accessible, with rustic seating nearby along the creek.
- Weather: The quirks of nature are gifts for writers! Rain or shine, we write and explore.
- Admission: Sliding scale ($15–$30)
- Provided: Eco-friendly notebook, plastic-free pen, botanical drinks, and finger foods.
- What to Bring:
- A cozy blanket or picnic towel to sit on. [[??]]
- Bring a light raincoat because you never know.
- Your curiosity, creativity, and sense of fun and adventure.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 17.85 to USD 33.85
