Storylines Poetry Salon: Vironika Wilde in Conversation with Ars Poetica

About Guest Vironika Wilde:

Vironika Wilde is a Toronto-based Ukrainian-born, Russian-indigenous poet, spoken word artist, activist, and author of Love & Gaslight. Vironika believes in the medicinal power of poetry. Readers call her raw, honest, and willing to spill tough truths about trauma, society, and the human condition. Her words have appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Forbes, Bustle, Psych Central, Insight Timer app, Poetry Pause, Book Riot, and poets.ca. When Vironika isn't writing, she loves getting lost, looking at the stars, singing, and eating pickles (sometimes, all at once).

How It Works (1-hour Sessions):

INTRODUCTION & INSPIRATION

• Faciliator sets up the session, including the TNM Core Concept of the week, a photo and a prompt.

WRITING: 21 Minutes

• Along with the photo you'll get the first prompt (7 minutes to write).
• Next, you'll get a second prompt to weave into your piece (7 minutes to write).
• Then it is time to edit into a maximum of 1 page or 500 words (7 minutes to write).

BREAKOUT GROUPS: 14 Minutes

• After the writing, you are randomly assigned to small breakout groups with 3-4 other participants.
• Everyone takes turns reading their piece without stopping for conversation or feedback. Simple acknowledgements such as "thank you for sharing" are welcome - and snaps, of course! While each person shares, focus on witnessing without judgement.
• After everyone has shared, feel free to discuss your process, the concept and prompt, or share about something else that's going on with you that may be relevant to the group experience. 
• NOTE: If someone in your group shares something deeply personal and may be in distress, please ask them if they are okay in this moment and don't hesitate to send a direct message to the facilitator.

MOSAICS: 7 Minutes

• Following the small breakout groups, you will go into larger groups (10 to 15) and share one line from what you've written in a kind of poetry collage. 

GROUP SHARE: Remaining Time

• In the final minutes, the group comes together to share their thoughts about their experience, answer questions, go deeper and have fun!

Salon Guidelines:

MUTUAL RESPECT

Remain aware and conscientious of your choice of words and tone. Please do not ask personal questions or give advice. Hate speech or hurtful behavior, regardless of the context will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate removal from the session.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is essential. What is said in the group must stay here. We do not record these session and will not tolerate any recording, transcribing, repeating others' stories or otherwise infringing on the rights and privacy of others.

CAMERAS ON

To ensure that everyone feels comfortable sharing their stories and their feelings, we require everyone to have their cameras on during sessions, except while writing. If you do not comply you will be removed from the session.

LISTENING

When listening to others' stories, put yourself aside so you can hear others from their perspective, without your own assumptions getting in the way. Your job is only to witness each other with appreciation.