Women Weaving Words

Following a successful workshop in nature last September, I had planned a follow-up. However, given the current situation, I was wondering if it would work online, and do you know what? It most certainly can. So, Sunday 12 April, I will be hosting a 'Virtual' Women in Nature session. We will begin with a check-in at 8am (I know it seems early, but it's so much nicer when everywhere's so quiet) - there will be a meditation and some reflective writing prompts. I will then send you off into your nearby faraway: this could be in your home, looking out of a window, in your garden, street or nearby park. You will be armed with some prompts to take with you. We will then rejoin as a group online at 11am, for more writing, group reflection, then finish at 12pm. If you want to know more, please do get in touch.

The title of this post harks back to when I used to teach baby yoga classes in my community. Every group would finish with a rendition of this rhyme, whilst everyone flew their babies high above them, amidst lots of laughter. Our in-person writing circle could no longer continue, due to constraints at finding a suitable venue for us to gather, and that would allow us to continue for free. After much deliberation, I moved the group online in March 2020, and so far, it has been a great decision. For me, there's less rushing around after finishing work and trying to arrive on time and create a welcoming space. Now, I feel relaxed, refreshed and can even be wearing my PJ's. But what's so wonderful, is that women are more open and expressive in the sharing of their writing. Perhaps the safety and comfort of their own surroundings encourages them to be a little bolder? Who knows, but I do know that it has made the experience richer. As always, check out the even...

I've just finished putting together the prompts for Thursday's writing circle. As always, there's so many that I've had to leave to one side as time will be pressing us once again. Remember, the groups is free to attend, however you are asked to make a small purchase of a beverage from the cafe before joining us. We meet at 7pm - first write is at 7.15pm.

Pop the date in your diaries - our next writing circle takes place at our usual meeting place: John Lewis Cafe - see events page for more details

Thursday evening we shared the space in John Lewis cafe with a much larger group of women who were knitting. Places for women to gather with ease is, ironically, not easy to come by. Hearing the other group occasionally in the background resonated with this month's theme: Free your Voice For several years I've been dipping in and out of researching into what happens to women's voices as they age. I've even written about it. Then there's the other difficult we experience - not being able to truthfully express our needs. The question, "what do you want?" can actually be quite off-putting and harsh. Want is too direct, whereas need is softer, more approachable. We explored a variety of writing prompts on somewhat tender themes at times, allowed light to be cast on areas that have perhaps been ignored or hidden for some time. Whilst the content was kept private, the support and connection within the group ensured a sense of safety for this explorat...

After an absence of several months, the women's writing group returns on Thursday 06 June at 7pm. More details on the events page [Image: Incidental Comics ]

Our women's writing group will next meet on Sunday 30 September at 10.30am - see the Events page for more details.

Did you know that we have an amazing poetry resource at London's Southbank Centre? The Poetry Library is a wonderful space to retreat to. Plus! They also have an e-loans service - you can borrow books / audiobooks online for up to 14 days. Check it out here: Poetry Library

Women Weaving Words will be a year old on 12 June! There have been such lovely opportunities to meet and share with so many women this past year, across a table writing. It's hoped you will be able to join us for our celebration write on Sunday 10 June - details can be found on the events page . The topics that have been used as inspiration have been varied and always produce a fresh perspective when shared in a group.

Interested in writing a screenplay? St Albans Film Festival has some workshops that might just tick the box for you. The workshops take place on Saturday 30 June as follows: 11.30 The Art of Screenplays by Robin Mukherjee 14.30 Running a Creative Company in the Digital Age by Lucy Baxter 16.00 The Art of Script Editing by Karol Griffiths Each workshop also includes a book (worth approx £16.99)

01 April saw the start of NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) - to find out more, click the image above to be taken to the main site. It's great to see the enthusiasm on social feeds of others sharing their daily writes - a poem a day for thirty days. Today is day 5 and I've still managed to keep the momentum. The enthusiasm will be taken through to the next women's writing circle on Thursday 12 April - see the Events page for more details.

Today is World Poetry Day - it still has some way to go to gain the popularity and awareness of other events. I love the fact that poetry is there, quietly working its magic in so many ways. One of my favourite poets right now is Ellen Bass . I was gifted a book of her poetry - Like a Beggar - for Christmas. You can listen to her talk of the power of poetry in your life here: Podcast

This Thursday (15 February), we will be using the energy from the previous day with our writing theme being: love Join us! We will be meeting as usual in John Lewis Watford from 19.00 to 20.30 - it is free to attend but you are asked to make the purchase of refreshments from the cafe. Women Weaving Words welcomes all women who wish to put pen (or pencil) to paper. Whether experienced or beginner, our group visits a variety of prompts in each session which can help you to build your writing confidence and also add fuel and inspiration to your own writing projects. [Image: Pixabay]

Yesterday (10 January) was the first writing group of 2018 and it was such an enriching experience, gathering around several tables in John Lewis and writing. We were inspired by poetry from Louise Erdrich, Ellen Bass and @nakedwriting and the insights and discussions that followed each piece were wonderful. The focus was on reflecting on 2017 and our aspirations into 2018. Writing really does allow a deeper sense of reflection, which is why I feel it is an important approach to meditation. It simply invites you to start where you are, encapsulating that all important meditation instruction 'beginners mind'. We can only write in the present moment, which is where we find ourselves with our breath. I can't think of a more perfect way to have begun the year. [Image: Pixabay.com]

You may like to use this 'in-between' time of Christmas and the New Year to tackle one (or all) of the following prompts. Set your timer for 10 minutes and...go! What matters to you most at this time of your life? With the season in mind, what traditions are meaningful to you? Or, what seasonal / spiritual traditions do you need to let go of? Who or what has had the greatest impact on you this year? Have fun and I look forward to seeing you across the page or table in 2018. Image: pixabay.com

This week saw the six month anniversary of the women's writing group, having started our journey in June. Small steps, but it has been wonderful each and every time I meet women across the page to hear their words. Here's to the next six months!

Another successful writing circle this morning (on St Andews Day). The theme was 'objects' which took us in a variety of directions. One attendee bought a poem to share, which we used for some inspirational writing at the end of the morning. The poem can be viewed on the link below: Miracle on St David's Day - Gillian Clarke

On Saturday 18 November I spent the day at Canterbury Yoga with a group of 19 wonderful women. The workshop had been arranged back in February, following on the heels of a successful workshop in Stamford in January, so it had felt like a long wait until the day finally arrived! The day was planned to give all present, irrespective of experience in yoga, meditation or writing, an opportunity to dive deeper and also to leave feeling deeply nourished and relaxed. I am delighted to say that the feedback has been overwhelming, and all who joined me reported many benefits (which can be seen in some of the feedback below). If you would like me to bring a Women's Stories workshop to your area, please do get in touch .

I am currently enjoying Jackee Holder's Paper Therapy course and have to say, it is jam-packed with so much, not only on the benefits of writing (which we all know is fantastic right?) but so many writing prompts and directions in which to take your journal writing. In addition, Jackee is regularly feeding back on all that is contributed online. If you often find your enthusiasm fades with online courses, or you feel that you have to contribute something, have no fears. There's absolutely no pressure to contribute online, you can work privately at your own pace and the lessons on the platform are available for 6 months following the end of the course. To find out more on Jackee's offerings, please visit her website here She has an absolute wealth of knowledge that she so generously shares.

At the recent writing group (Monday 09 October) our theme was Autumn. Though this encompassed a variety of prompts. Autumn carries many flavours for women. Typically it is the change of season, but less considered are the many rites, archetypes and aspects of myth that this time of year holds. We recently moved through the autumn equinox and within women's cycles, autumn usually relates to the pre-menstrual phase. Even women who are no longer cycling, these phases still hold potency for us. It is a time when we may lack mental clarity and also have a sense of needing to slow down, perhaps even wanting to move into hibernation. The full moon this month was known as either the Harvest Moon or Blood Moon. In myth, spells were often considered during this month for protection as well as undoing spells associate with bad luck. We visited as a writing prompt through The Matriarch, being a strong women's archetype. See, there's far more to autumn than leaves falling f...