Frequently Asked Questions

• Each "block" of  four workshop Writing for Wellbeing for the Caring Professions (WCWCARE) consist of four workshops each. All can be taken as stand alone workshops , but I will build on  trying out different blends of writing techniques across each block of four workshops. This will include poetic techniques,fiction, journalling and other creative non-fiction such as memoir.  

• Please note, this does not mean you need to produce a completed piece of writing in each workshop  -this is not school/college/ university!

• Each workshop is 2 hours long with two short breaks.

• In each TWO HOUR workshop, we will start by introducing ourselves , then establishing collaborative ground rules, to ensure we all feel more comfortable to write and share together.

• We will then do a shortfree writing (writing whatever comes to mind, for your self,uncensored,which will not be shared with the group at all). 

• We will then move on to the first of the main writing activities, relating to the theme of the workshop.I will suggest a writing 'prompt.'  'prompts' are there to give you a stimulus to express yourself in some way, "if nothing comes" from these, then  you are very welcome to write whatever you feel you wish to/draw/sit and reflect-there is no "right or wrong" thing to do.

• We will write for a set amount of time, sharing some of our writing, reflections and thoughts after each writing task.

• There will be a short break within the two hours, with writing tasks either side of the breaks

• Note: There is no finite product or outcome that needs to be achieved in these workshops; the key is giving yourself space and time to engage in the writing as a process. That is where the therapeutic benefit lies.

• You will all be invited to share your work and/or process , if you wish, as part of the Writing for Wellbeing process.( Please see "Do I have to share my work?")

• Final reflections and any queries answered.

My personal ethos and certainly the approach in this type of writing, is that no one should feel under pressure to share anything that they are not comfortable to share, be that personal writing or views.

​

In my workshops, you will invited to share an extract of your writing and/or  writing process with the group.

Others in the group will be invited to respectfully reflect on what you have shared, from a point of how it impacts on them, not from a critical view point on the actual writing; this is why we set ground rules at the start of each session.

Please note, although I use creative writing techniques and attend Creative Writing groups myself, these workshops are not a conventional creative writing workshop; in those, participants either write and discuss the writing with the group and facilitator and /or  bring pieces of poetry/prose/screenplays,  to workshop" ie. for constructive creative feedback from the tutor or others in the group, with a view to publication.

Writing for Wellbeing focusses on the process as well as the writing, but not to the point of writing quality critique, that is not the purpose of these workshops.

You may of course wish to edit and develop the writing you start in these  workshops, and consider attending separate creative writing groups and /or publishing some of your writing.I am happy to give general signposting on this to you, after a workshop, individually through email, if you wish if you feel that is one way you may wish to take your work.