We begin working with everyday observation – to notice the details, rhythms, and themes hiding in plain sight.

We’ll do this with close readings of artwork & literature that gleans power from dailyness, and use guided exercises to write vivid detail from life.

Including readings of extracts by Alexander Chee, Lou Reed, Catherine Lacey.

You’ll leave with: a new LIVING MATERIAL document containing new descriptive scenes from everyday life, which you’ll build on in the coming workshops.

We’ll think about where our ‘personal archives’ live. With exercises and readings we’ll gather and work with what’s been sitting dormant – like phone notes, fragments, memories and drafts – and turn it into fertile creative material. We’ll explore methods for keeping this work light and easeful.

Including writing exercises, and extracts by Blindboy, Abi Palmer, Natalie Goldberg.

You’ll leave with: a new ‘Compost Heap’ framework that gives you new confidence and in-roads into vivid writing & themes. Brand new sections of writing drawn from memory and your own archive.

Working with what we’ve written so far you’ll learn to identify the often-hidden narrative threads you’ve been circling. Through close readings and expansive prompts, you’ll begin to shape your threads into cohesive writing.

Including readings of extracts by Danielle Dutton, Olga Ravn.

You’ll leave with: A clearer sense of the narrative themes underpinning your work – and how to tangibly take them forward.

In this final session you’ll experiment with creative ‘restrictions’ designed to let you focus, refine, and identify a clear path forward in your writing.

We’ll explore simple, invigorating and clever methods used by published writers to organise material into finished works. We’ll ready our unique toolkits that allow us to return to writing again and again.

Including readings of extracts by Sheila Heti, Amy Ching-Yan Lam.

You’ll leave with: an understanding of how to structure your work in a way that suits you. A toolbox of inspiring ‘structuring methods’, and a creative plan for yourself – with instructions for future you to follow when things get sticky.

Each 90 minute workshop combines writing time with close readings and learning different methods we can use to find stories in our daily lives, and our unique voice.

I’ll share exciting texts to fire you up creatively, and you’ll write from prompts designed specially to get you into the practice of writing vividly from what’s right in front of you (both physically and in your mind).

We’ll use the chat box to share our reflections, and there are brief moments to unmute and share your thoughts, only if you’d like.

There’s no homework; we read the texts in the workshop.

These things happen. All workshops are recorded, and you’ll have lifetime access to replays and resources.

Yes, Living Material is for people who already have a connection to writing. You don’t need to identify as a ‘real writer’ or have a regular practice. But you know writing is something you have a deep yearning for and you’re ready to do more of it.

The workshops are hosted as a shared space (rather than a webinar format) to foster trust, safety and community.

I encourage attendees to have their camera on if they feel able, and you’re absolutely welcome to switch it off while writing to give yourself a break. It’s not obligatory to have your camera on, and I trust you to know what’s best for you.

Only if you’d like. There are opportunities to share small pieces of writing in the chat box, if you find this useful. Sharing is always optional and supported in a warm, gentle & generous space.

Living Material is a workshop for anyone yearning for time and space to write. In this age of individualism it’s all too easy to believe that we must do everything alone.

We reject that in these workshops; by gathering together for gentle support, momentum and growth as we write.

If you’re struggling with rhythm in your writing, I absolutely recommend you see what happens when you write with others. In Living Material we show up for ourselves and each other.