Writing and Story
The world is made of stories and writing has always been the compass by which I have navigated mine. Poet at heart, writing penetrates every part of my life and words are the lens through which I make sense of the world.
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My words are published in magazines, blogs, on amazon, yoto and have been played thousands of times on insight timer. I have written across a huge range of genres from professional magazines to academia, from narrative meditation to children's literature from short story to poetry.
I run a monthly in person writer's group, offer critiquing, beta reading and proof reading services and am a member of a number of writing organisations including SCWBI and The Suffolk Poetry Society.
Spoken Word Art Installation
In 2023, I created an interactive spoken word art installation in response to an open call for the inaugural Black Shuck Exhibition at The Bell Gallery. No One Asked Her Why was the only written piece selected and held its own amidst a multitude of visual media in the month long exhibition. The poem offers a new perspective and origin story to the traditional Black Shuck myth using feminist, motherhood, grief, and climate narratives.
To emulate the exhibition more closely, I recommend using headphones to listen.
Monthly Writer's Group
First Sunday of Every Month, 2-4pm
The Greenhouse, Halesworth, Suffolk
When I first started looking for a community of writers, I struggled to find one. Online groups didn't really exist back then (i've always preferred real life anyway) and each group I joined seemed to be a heady mix of Shakespeare and Chaucer quoted by people drinking from mugs which read 'I am silently correcting your grammar...'
Writing felt like a cold and pretentious place where there was little chance of me being vulnerable enough to share my words. After many failed attempts, I stumbled on a beautiful group of writers who met once a month in a cafe on a Sunday afternoon. They varied wildly in experience, confidence, genre and personality. It was a wondrous gift to be with them each month and it built my confidence in a way I don't think any other group could have.
When I moved to Suffolk years later, the same search ensued with the same mugs being wielded like swords. Feeling like an outsider, I finally gave up. Then a friend suggested I run the group I was so longing to find and almost two years of monthly meet ups later, here we still are; a small community of writers sharing a love of words together. We welcome in the those who write daily and those who haven't written since school. The lost, the muddled, the published, the no intention of getting published. The poets, the diarists, the novelists and the scribblers. It's an informal, peer-led offering where everyone is welcome and no one will correct your spelling or grammar. There is no homework, no obligation to share, always tea and often cake.
I believe that writing is for everyone and that's what the group is for really. Connection, inspiration, and sharing our love of the written word. If you aren't sure, come along, you won't meet a nicer bunch of writers. Oh and it's in a plant shop!
Book on the homepage, pay on the day or email hello@thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk​
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I would so love to see you there.
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