Freedom to write – a participant's view of Writers: An Artist’s Way

Write More - Text Less

Guest post by Dawn Kozoboli

I’m writing this to encourage any writers who might be havering about joining the Write for Life course with Anna in Brighton in November. I completed the course earlier this year and throughly recommend it. 

I don’t think I could have foreseen just how much it would mean to me when I turned up - full of nerves - on the first evening. A firm believer in the importance of place, I was happy that the sessions took place in the calm and airy space that is the Brighton Buddhist Centre. Anna was immediately welcoming and approachable and I think the group just gelled from that first evening. We were all writing different things - novels, poetry, short stories and more - and were all at different stages on our journey. As well as being our guide, it also felt that Anna was on the journey with us. 

I could never have imagined how much I would look forward to that weekly input of reflection, sharing and laughter. The course has a serious purpose - to get us writing regularly - but Anna delivered it with a lightness of touch and showed real inventiveness - and fun! -  in her interpretation of the Julia Cameron book. 

For me personally, this course has had more of an impact on my writing than almost any other course or workshop I’ve attended. Those courses have all been useful and stimulating, especially the writing group I’ve been part of for a number of years, but also the writing retreats I’ve been on, both in the UK and abroad. This course though has unlocked something, and given me the impetus and the freedom to write on a regular daily basis. Why freedom? Because now I write - for the most part - without the lowering presence of the Inner Critic. Of course, it is completely necessary to assess your writing critically in its later stages, but at the beginning of a project or if you’re stuck and struggling in the middle of some writing, then what’s most important is to actually get the words down on the page. Anna and the other attendees - ooh, sounds like a band! - were sensitive and supportive as well as being excellent company on the course. 

So, in summing up: give it a go. More and more I feel the important thing in life and in writing is just to turn up, committed to the actual living moment and see what happens. Turn up in November and see where it takes you and your writing! 

Thank you to Dawn for sharing her experience of Writers: An Artist's Way.

You can also read my thoughts about why this approach makes such a difference to writers, whether new or experienced.

For booking details for the next course: Evolution Arts, Brighton - starts Tuesday 4 November 7.30-9.30pm - 6 weeks.