My creative 'I-dare-you'

I’m breathing a sigh of enormous relief as I type this. Not because of what I’m writing, but because of where I’m writing it.

I’m breathing a sigh of enormous relief as I type this. Not because of what I’m writing, but because of where I’m writing it. This week I made the move off Mailchimp to bring my whole audience to Substack. So, I’m no longer repeating myself in your inbox if you got both newsletters (for which, if you did, many thanks!) and can welcome to what I hope you’ll find a much more intriguing neighbourhood.

For any of you completely new to Subsack, this is where many of my favourite authors – including Tom Cox, Jennifer Steil and Hanif Kureshi – moved here to connect directly with their readership. I came here first as a reader, which is of course how I came to writing, speaking, coaching and directing. I’m not the only person you can enjoy reading for free (or taking the option to support the work of, and I particularly recommend the three above): just sit back and enjoy the thought pieces and newsletters, and/or connect with me however works best for you: through comments, chat or through info@rachelknightley.com. Whether you want to develop your writing muscles, or your delivery to an audience through public speaking, whether you’re a LAMDA Exams or business and personal coaching client, the thought pieces and newsletters are a great way of keeping in touch and getting added value on your writing, speaking and confidence: the world’s most transferable skills.

Obviously and straightforwardly helpful as this move to Substack has been, it still evoked an enormous amount of overthinking. The answer at the heart of my overthinking – as with so much overthinking – was to recognise I knew exactly what I needed and wanted to do. That, rather than doing the actual thing, was the hard bit. It never stops being a surprise how much easier the world looks after taking a step that gives you more time with yourself. Which, in my case, equals writing time. I love that phrase, ‘writing time’. It’s an inbuilt reminder we can create more time, more of the circumstances of our lives – just as we can create more words – than it is often easy to realise, or acknowledge; than we are conditioned to believe are our right.

This is my Creative I-Dare-You to myself this week and anyone who wants to join me:

I dare us to spot the time we have the right to take.

Join me at the Writers’ Gym this week:

Friday 3 May, 12-1pm: Writing Workout. Boost your confidence and your word-count with creative exercises, discussions, tips, techniques and community. Free for Writers' Gym members: type your discount code where indicated.

Monday 6 May, 11am-1pm: The Writing Room. FREE for everyone on my mailing list. Time and space to think and write with likeminded people. No expectations, no readings, just an open chat box and unmuting for ten minutes' chat at the end.

Monday 6 May, 6.30pm-7.30pm: Writing Workout. Boost your confidence and your word-count with creative exercises, discussions, tips, techniques and community. Free for Writers' Gym members. Free for Writers' Gym members: type your discount code where indicated.

Wednesday 8 May, 1pm-2.30pm: Coffee & Creativity. Community time to talk, write, and share work, ambitions and celebrations. Free for Writers' Gym members. Free for Writers' Gym members: type your discount code where indicated.

Thursday 9 May, 7pm-9pm: Your Creative Writing Toolkit at Riverside Studios. Join me in person at Riverside Studios. Book with discount code CREATIVE20 so they know you’re a member or friend of the Writers’ Gym!

Friday 10 May, 11am-1pm: Writing Room EXTRA (members only: please check your Voxer messages for the link).

Find out more on the website or request a membership booklet at info@rachelknightley.com

Catch the latest episode of The Writers’ Gym podcast on Apple, Spotify or any of your favourite platforms.