My story
"How can someone write so dully about such an interesting trip?"
With these words from a classmate, my first tentative experiment with creative writing in adulthood came to an end.
Residential
In the UK, I dreamed of writing travel articles for Finnish newspapers. However, true to my nature, I wanted to study the field first, so I enrolled in a course to become a respected travel writer. It didn't go well.
As a child
I wrote poems and stories with the omnipotence of a small person. During my school years, however, my kind, conscientious self, the perfectionist, took over.
I defined
myself as a stickler for detail, with no creativity flowing through my veins. Working as a translator of factual texts further reinforced this fixed belief, and the final nail in the coffin was the aforementioned classmate, whose feedback led me to classify myself as a dull and dry writer. The worst part was that the instructor did not intervene in any way and did not provide any guidance on giving feedback. We were left to our own devices, at the mercy of each other.
Fifteen years later
After a series of happy coincidences, I found myself in a creative writing workshop led by author Taija Tuominen.
Taijan
Simple, liberating writing exercises and attentive listening worked wonders. The group's forgiving and warm atmosphere also had an impact. I still remember the moment when something clicked inside me. I wrote in my notebook like there was no tomorrow. And that's not all! I, who would never in a million years have imagined doing such a thing, voluntarily read two of my texts aloud.
That day
February 21, 2015, was a turning point.
That was when I found my voice. At the same time, my greater mission slowly began to crystallize.
In 2015
Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with texts both alone and together with people who read and write. My work as a language arts and literary therapy instructor has been successful when I notice that you understand the magic of words and their life-changing power more deeply than before.
You may remember
me as Eilaberttana, and after my brand renewal in March 2023, I will wave my magic wand with women and mothers who are at turning points in their lives.
I want to share the same joy of finding the magic of words in the gentle creative writing groups of the Word Keeper.
Who's the spokesperson?
The proverb was born when Eilabertta wanted to focus specifically on women and mothers at turning points in their lives.
I wave my wand of the Wordholder in the middle of a roller coaster of emotions: I want to show you the magic of words in its twists and turns, its ups and downs, and even its conflicting emotions, from fear to abysmal love and from guilt to immense joy.
I was born into a literate family. The real spark of playing with language and words in me was ignited by my dear grandmother Ellu, who wrote hundreds of poems, plays, songs and newspaper articles during her lifetime.
Grandma Ellu is the strong woman in my life, who held on tightly to her literary hobbies and her work throughout her life. Oh, if only my Grandma Ellu had had her own Messenger... or perhaps my cloak of honour and my ability to influence the women of my time is an over-generational legacy.
When I was little,
Grandma used to tell me old folk tales and stories of her own invention, the most beloved of which were the adventures of Annie Bear and Granny Bear. These characters she also immortalised in the poem she wrote for me and in the main text of the poem:
Annamarini,
we already have many fairy tales,
many songs
and many poems
and more we will invent,
together you and me,
Anni-bear and granny-bear!
Grandma is no longer telling me fairy tales. But the memories of her and the moments we spent together will stay with me. They inspire me as I help you find yourself and the words of your life!
Find out how Sananholtija appears in the media
Me in ten verses
1) My role in this world
is to help you free yourself from the shackles of your inner critic and act as your guide on your journey into the fabulous world of words, poems and stories.
When you find your story, recognise your voice and are encouraged to use it, I have succeeded in my work.
2) As a guide
I am approachable, encouraging and inspiring.
I put my whole personality, my history, my life experiences, my strengths and weaknesses at stake.
I also want to help you find your own adion and live accordingly.
I firmly believe that as our authentic selves, each of us is good enough.
3) Curiosity
is one of my core traits. I constantly want to learn more about life, the world, myself and the industry I work in.
I also encourage you to look at the world with curiosity and an open mind.
4) Important to me
to do work that matters and that allows me to help my fellow human beings and to contribute to building a kinder and more compassionate world today.
5) In addition to word art and literary therapy
I edit fiction and write magazine and online articles not only about my own field, but also about wider literary and cultural issues, management, business and entrepreneurship.
6) You can order from me
a creativity-unlocking or empowering and energising workshop or lecture for, for example, a planning or recreation day for your company or association.
I also offer training in the application of literary therapy and word arts methods for teachers and librarians, for example.
7) My basic education is
FM from the University of Helsinki, where I majored in Estonian language and culture.
I graduated as a word art instructor from Kuopio Snellman Summer University in 2016.
I graduated as a literary therapy counsellor from the University of Helsinki Education and Development Services HY+ and the Finnish Literary Therapy Association's literary therapy counsellor training in 2019.
8) Asun
with my family in a yellow front house in Espoo, but my roots are deep in the clay soil of the Six Nations.
My favourite place at home is the sofa in the library room, where I lounge reading under a square blanket my mother crocheted from her grandmother's squares.
9) I was born
at the time of apple blossom. My own season is early summer.
I love the smell of the canvas forest on a warm summer day and the smooth, sun-heated rock under my bare feet.
10) I could live
with ice cream and champagne.
I could spend my days wandering around cafés and art museums.
In addition to reading and writing, I enjoy singing in choirs, organising and culture in all its forms.
I often get the best ideas on foot. In fact, it's my favourite form of exercise.
It would be nice to get to know you in return!
Do we exchange ideas on social media?