During all three lockdowns, I started every morning by sharing a free writing prompt and exercise with anyone who wanted to be on the list to receive them.
It was that rerouting of what-if circuitry from anxiety to creativity, even for just a few minutes each day, that made me appreciate as I never had (because I’d never needed to) how therapeutic creativity was in itself, when we take the emphasis away from perceived perfection and just let our words out to do their thing in the world. It made me notice how much better I felt when I was creating and sending the exercises, and how my own experceive chimed with the emotional weather reports I received along the same lines from the people doing the exercises I was creating.
It didn’t make our fears go away, it didn’t make the isolation or sense of powerlessness any more fun, but it allowed other feelings to become visible too. Agency, for example. Being able to choose one thought, or one word, to put in front of another. Telling your truth in your moment, even if you didn’t know what that was going to look like.
That’s the thinking behind the course I’m running from tomorrow at Riverside Studios. Or, rather, the course inspired by the book inspired by the course – which follows right on from the realities of creativity, anxiety and agency my Write Through Lockdown programme showed could enrich and strengthen us and our sense of purpose and agency, even when we least feel able to reach those feelings. Your Creative Writing Toolkit the book and Your Creative Writing Toolkit the course both take you through the essential skills of creative writing, from the point of view of a fiction and nonfiction author and qualified coach. The better aware we are of the emotions that are our clay, the more deftly we handle the technical tools of creating fiction. If you'd like to book one or all workshops in this series, I've just received a special offer discount code for the remaining places. Book with code CREATIVE20 to take 20% off the cost of your course or session booking.
Writing and Music
This week's episode of The Writers' Gym podcast launched this morning, in which Chris, Emily and I talk about writing and music. Are you a silence person? Or is a particular playlist, artist or even ambient noise the cocoon that keeps you in the zone? Do listen and let me know what you think.We're on Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts.
Writers' Gym Members
Membership of the Writers' Gym means unlimited entry to our weekly programme of writing workshops, Writing Room extra sessions and socials, including this week's Friday Writing Workout. For more information, visit the website or email to request the brochure.
Whether I see you at Riverside Studios tomorrow, Thursday 2 May, or at the Friday Lunchtime Writing Workout this on Friday 3 May, wishing you a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.
Rachel
www.rachelknightley.com