Mathilde Vermer

Chronicles, conferences, novels, a podcast... Writing has been at the

heart of my life for a long time: the words I put on paper, that I

publish, that I speak into the microphone, the people I have supported on

writing projects.

Why this literary calling? Because I believe in their power: stories speak of the essential, love, fear, courage, loss, resilience, audacity, self-transcendence, acceptance of difference...

Carrying an initiatory dimension, stories cross centuries: adventures, even intimate ones, have a universal aspect. Stories show us the meaning of the trials we go through, they allow us to grow, to react better, to adapt to what arises in our daily lives, personal or professional. Stories nourish our subconscious, broaden our consciousness, shape our collective imaginations.

I also attach great importance to poetry, which allows us to renew our perspective on everyday life, to bring back intensity, true words, magic. Contemporary poetry connects us to ourselves, to others, to living beings – it speaks to us of love, beauty, mystery. It offers a breath of fresh air and new impetus for our imagination. With this in mind, in September 2021, I launched the podcast "L'Expérience Poétique".

Finally, I regularly speak, drawing on this literary work: I participate in round tables, I answer interviews, I give conferences... I experience this oral dimension as a continuation of my written work, as an additional opportunity to transmit ideas.

My favorite themes?

There are many, including these:

- From fear to freedom: the courage to move towards the unknown

- Owning your talents to contribute to the greater good

- How poetry helps us work better

Sharing writing is a passion – to allow other points of view to circulate and shine.

- I conduct a maieutic process with other authors:

> I help them establish a clear narrative line for their novel project

> I encourage them to develop the coherence of their characters

> I carefully reread the chapters in progress, taking care to provide feedback on content and form

> By defining a work schedule together, I enable them to finish their book.

- With speakers, the work also involves a maieutic dialogue:

> I invite them to explore the core of their message, to highlight the uniqueness of their thinking

> Through my questions and feedback, we journey together towards a structured, dense discourse, where examples, in the form of storytelling, enrich the reflection

> I make suggestions on the words used, the use of silences, and the non-verbal aspects so that the message conveyed has the greatest possible impact.

Where did I get this ability to look at a text?

Throughout my career as an author, I have worked with editors and writers on several occasions. Thanks to them, I sharpened my sense of the "right sentence": I acquired an intimate knowledge of language, narrative devices, and writing rhythm. I am happy to be able to share this perspective in turn.

Creation of workshop cycles and facilitation of workshops for advanced participants.

Cycle titles:

- Women's Stories: a dive into female autobiography

- Writing to find yourself

- Philosophy in the face of crisis

- Writing to overcome writer's block

In total, I have supported over 600 people with literary questions.