Placeholders and pauses
On stopping and ways to write with me in September
Hello there, it’s been a while… I’m writing this as my daughter sleeps beside me, in between the folds of a super last minute trip away to help some family. I’m holding this moment in mind with a huge amount of gratitude for what it means to be alive and safe in the world right now… more on that in a bit, I also wanted to share news a special one-off workshop, new dates for Clemo Writers’ Club and a very special event Speakeasy event and more… Thanks so much for reading.
I took this photo early one morning when I should have been doing other things. I was cleaning our annexe ready for the next guests and had gathered some flowers from the garden. The rest of the house was quiet and the light was still arriving.
It was as if the day was taking a breath before it fully began, a reminder to stop and pause.
Fast forward to the fizz and frazzle of the summer holidays and my tickertape mind has been whirring and racing ahead. I long for that moment of taking a breath before I begin and to be honest, I have had many ‘Mrs Large from Five Minutes Peace’ moments over the past few weeks. Yet my mind never strays far from thoughts of those living in Gaza.
In these times of intense summer holiday caregiving, when the connective tissue of community and routine is fractured, I often find myself looking to to savour a moment of complete unadulterated on-my-ownness…. And yet, we’re witnessing a genocide right now and I can’t look away. I can’t look my children in the eyes and say that I sat back and did nothing and that I didn’t appreciate what an absolute privilege and gift it is to be their guardian right now.
I’ve been reading Haia Mohammed’s beautiful book The Age of Olive Trees again, emailing my MP, boycotting, donating and trying in any small way to take action against the despair. Haia is one of a number of Gazan students who are unable to take up their scholarship places at UK universities due to red tape. (If you have a moment, please consider emailing your MP to help her and others take up their places here, Outspoken Press has further information how to do this.)
Any attempt at writing has pretty much disappeared before I’ve truly begun, but it was an absolute joy and a pleasure to run the last session of the Poetry Summer School for Mums on behalf of the Togetherness Poetry Challenge 2025 last week (p.s…there is still time to enter) and a gorgeous reminder of what it means to write in community.
Even though actual words written have been few and far between, I’ve been trying to dip my toes in dew before starting the day, sip my tea outside or draw a Small Acts of Attention card to have a word to play with.
As I look towards September, I’m delighted to share news of a one-off workshop, new dates for Clemo Writers’ Club, an upcoming event and a couple of links to a podcast and article…
In other news, my co-writing sessions will be back from mid September and more Solo Retreat special offer dates will be available in the winter, more news on these to follow very soon!
Finding a way back to the page
Thursday 11th Sept| 19:00 - 20:30 UK time | Online
As September begins and some semblance of routine returns, join me for this restorative one-off session to help you pause and restore through a series of creative writing and journalling exercises.
This gentle and encouraging workshop will provide some time for you to pause, a moment to reflect and will give you the space to explore how you want to be in the present and moving forward into the autumn.
All are welcome!
No writing experience needed.
Bring a notebook and your drink of choice.
A recording and resources will be sent to all participants after the workshop.
Pay what you can (suggested price of £14 but you can adjust according to your means)
Speakeasy with Ulrike Durán Bravo
Tuesday 16th September
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | The Writers’ Block
Join me at the Writers’ Block for an inspiring evening of creativity and connection! The event begins with a reading and Q&A session featuring local guest writer Ulrike Durán Bravo. The second half of the event will be a relaxed open mic for you to share your work with other participants.
Come experience Cornwall’s up-and-coming talent in a relaxed and safe environment. If you’ve got a story, a poem, or a piece of spoken word to share, we’d love to hear it.
Or if you’re just here to listen, come discover fresh perspectives and get your ears tickled with some amazing new work.
This event is free and is in person at The Writers’ Block in Redruth, Cornwall. Please book a ticket so we know who’s coming. If you’d like to read at the event, please email me!
I’m over the moon to be running the monthly writers’ club at again from September!
Clemo Writers’ Club is supportive and encouraging monthly writing group for all abilities at the beautiful in Newquay. Each session will include a couple of writing prompts, time to write and time to share and discuss.
DATES
Wed 17th Sept, Wed 8th Oct, Wed 12th Nov, Wed 10th Dec, Wed 11th Feb, Wed 18th March, Wed 22nd April, Wed 17th June, Wed 15th July
No session in January or May
18.30 – 20.00 | Clemo Books, Newquay
£20 per session (pay as you go) | £18 per session when three sessions booked in advance
An enormous thank you to the incredible for inviting me on to her podcast, Brackish. It was such a pleasure and a joy to chat with her. You can listen in full below…
Lastly, huge thanks also to Magazine, who recently interviewed me for their article on Space to Write. You can read it in full here…
