Pen & Lens: Crafting Nature’s Narratives
Change Your Trauma Story Today
March 26-30, 2025 Ely MN
About Pen and Lens Workshop
Transform your snapshots into stories in just three inspiring days
Embark on a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery through the power of nature and storytelling. “Lens & Pen: Crafting Nature’s Narratives” is a unique 3-day workshop designed specifically for wounded veterans grappling with PTSD and anxiety. This immersive experience combines the therapeutic benefits of nature with the expressive potential of photography and writing.
Set in the serene backdrop of Ely, Minnesota, this workshop offers a safe, supportive environment where you can reconnect with yourself, your peers and the natural world. Our experienced team will guide you through the process of transforming your snap shots into powerful narratives. You’ll learn techniques for using imagery as a springboard for storytelling, helping you express thoughts and emotions that might otherwise be difficult to articulate. This creative process can be a valuable tool in processing experiences and finding new perspectives.
Small group size ensures personalized attention, while also fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants. Whether you’re a novice or experienced in photography and writing, you’ll find opportunities to grow and express yourself.
By the end of these three inspiring days, you’ll have created a finished short story or personal essay, accompanied by your own photographs. More importantly, you’ll take home new skills for self-expression, stress management, and mindfulness that can continue to support your healing journey long after the workshop ends.
Join us for “Lens & Pen” and discover the healing power of nature and narrative. Let’s craft your story together.
Next Step Opportunities
Each NSV program offers “next step” opportunities after participation in one of our programs. These opportunities allow you to reconnect with your brothers and sisters, reengage with the activity and remain on the path of changing your trauma story.
Location
The location is Veterans on the Lake Resort in Ely MN. Participants will stay in the “Rock House.” https://www.veteransonthelakeresort.org/. There is no cost to participants. All food, transportation, lodging and other activities is taken care of by North Star Valor.
Curriculum
Day 1: Observation and Inspiration
Morning:
– Welcome & Introduction (30 min)
– Workshop overview
– The connection between visual and written art
– Setting intentions for the three days
– Lecture: Detail & Imagery Across Genres (45 min)
– How photographers and writers capture meaningful details
– Examples from literature paired with photographs
– Discussion: What makes a detail resonant?
– Nature Walk with Cameras – Listening Point (2 hour)
– Focus: Collecting details through photography
– Assignment: Capture 3-5 images that speak to you
– Emphasis on mindful observation
– Writing Exercise: From Image to Word (45 min)
– Select one photograph from your walk
– Free write focusing purely on descriptive language
– Share in small groups
Afternoon:
– Lecture: Place & Setting (1 hour)
– How environment shapes story
– Creating atmosphere through sensory details
– Photography examples of powerful settings
– Writing Exercise: Building Your World (1 hour)
– Use morning photographs to create a fully realized setting
– Focus on engaging all five senses
– Layer in weather, time of day, season
– Group Share & Discussion (1 hour)
– Read excerpts of setting descriptions
– Discuss how photos influenced the writing process
– Homework: Evening reflection on your creative process
Evening:
– Reflective Journaling (1 hour)
– Participants write about their experiences of the day
– Brainstorm potential story ideas based on their photos
Day 2: Developing the Narrative
Morning:
– Nature Walk experience (1 hour)
– Focus: Capturing movement and character
– Assignment: Photograph evidence of life/action in nature
– Look for stories within images
– Lecture: Action & Characterization (1 hour)
– Using visual cues to build character
– How movement reveals personality
– Analyzing character through environmental interaction
– Writing Exercise: Character in Motion (1 hour)
– Choose a photograph showing evidence of activity
– Write a scene focusing on action and character revelation
– Practice showing vs. telling
Day 2 Continued
Afternoon:
– Lecture: Finding Your Voice (45 min)
– Different approaches to narrative voice
– How perspective shapes story
– Photography examples of different viewpoints
– Group Exercise: Ekphrastic Poetry (1 hour)
– Share photographs in small groups
– Write poems inspired by others’ images
– Explore different poetic forms
– Revision Workshop (1.15 hour)
– Techniques for strengthening first drafts
– Individual consultation available
Day 3: Writing and Refining
Morning:
– Lecture: The Healing Power of Writing (45 min)
– Writing as self-discovery
– Using images as emotional touchstones
– Creating personal narrative
– Extended Writing Period (2.15 hours)
– Work on piece of choice using workshop techniques
– Individual consultation available
– Focus on deepening and refining work
Afternoon:
– Final Revision Workshop (1.5 hours)
– Focus on specific elements (voice, detail, action)
– Concrete revision strategies
– What’s Next? (1 hour)
– Building a regular writing practice
– Resources for further development
– Publishing and sharing opportunities
– Closing Circle (30 min)
– Share final reflections
– Set future intentions
- Here are some key features of this workshop:
Progressive skill-building: The workshop moves from observation and inspiration on Day 1, to narrative development on Day 2, and finally to writing and refining on Day 3. - Varied activities: The plan includes nature walks, photography sessions, lectures, writing exercises, and group discussions to keep participants engaged and appeal to different learning styles.
Flexibility: There’s room to adjust the schedule based on the needs and interests of the group. For example, the sunrise session is optional, and writing times can be extended if needed. - Practical outcome: By the end of the workshop, each participant will have completed a short story, fulfilling the main goal of the program.
- Community building: Group activities like the campfire storytelling session and final story sharing circle foster a supportive writing community.
Your Volunteer Instructors and support team
Paul van Dyke - Instructor
Paul Van Dyke holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. His collection of short essays A Thousand Sunsets is available through Red Bird Chapbooks. His fiction and nonfiction has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Water~Stone Review, Upstreet Magazine, Hippocampus, O-Dark-Thirty, and Proud To Be. He is an Army Veteran of the Iraq War and a Purple Heart recipient. He turned to creative writing as a facet of his therapy plan after the war.
He has been a part of the Twin Cities writing community for more than a decade, volunteering and working for various nonprofits, participating in panels and discussions, and reading his work at community events.
Drawing from his experiences in becoming a writer after his military service, and wanting to pay forward the blessing that his mentors had given him, he set out to pursue his passion to teach creative writing to other Veterans. In 2023, he taught a class for first responders, military Veterans, and their families called Unseen Bonds and after seeing the vulnerability, passion for craft, and sense of community in this class, he started Veterans Telling Stories.
Alec Johnson - Volunteer
Since 2018 Alec has volunteered with Honoring Our Veterans and is now the Executive Director of North Star Valor. He lives in Saint Paul, MN and is a part-time professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas. He is also a freelance automotive and architecture photographer, and award-winning fine art landscape and portrait photographer. Early in his career, Alec was a professional test driver for Goodyear Tire Co.
Tom Hall - Support Team and Board Member
Upon an honorable discharge from the military Tom earned a bachelor’s in political science from Iowa State University while playing defensive end for the football team before completing my master’s degree in international relations from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is currently enrolled for my Doctorate in business administration with the University of South Florida with a focus on rural American businesses
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tchall18/
Guy Townsend - Support Team and Board Member
US Army Veteran Guy Townsend.
Start Changing your story now.
Our Location
Saint Paul, MN