Dear Diary is an online creative writing workshop dedicated to diary writing and writing the self.

In this age of screens and public sharing, how might we make time for diary writing to connect more deeply with ourselves and what we think?

Across 3 hours, we explore the fundamentals of diary writing, including:

-What recording our days unlocks for us creatively and spiritually
-How to know what to write, in order to feel possibility and excitement
-How to write through pathetic-ness to the simple magic on the other side
-Finding play and pleasure in the ‘small canvas’ of daily life
-Creating and anchoring tools we can return to again and again

New date added due to popular demand <3

Sat 18 April 2026, 10am - 1pm (GMT)

Diaries and journals are a multi-faceted space for reflection, daydreaming, shame spirals, being boring, being petty, brutal honesty, private practice, record keeping, beauty-seeking, compulsion and ultimately, a deep and creative understanding of what the hell a life is.

Through readings, discussion and guided prompts, we’ll look how diary-keeping as a space for truth, noticing, personal reflection, freedom and creative experimentation.

Together, we’ll read short extracts from writers like Helen Garner, Heidi Julavitz, Olga Ravn, Lou Sullivan & others. Writers who show us what we might write about, and writers blurring the line between personal reflection and literary work.

We’ll explore what happens when we write as if no one is reading, and what those private fragments might grow into (personal fulfilment? essays, memoirs or other creative projects?)

You’ll leave Dear Diary workshop with:

• Tools for diary writing, through writing prompts

• Greater confidence in your ability to keep up a diary writing practice.

• A deeper appreciation of diary writing as creative practice

• A sharpened connection to your own voice, life material and and diarist perspective

• A deep & genuine excitement about returning to your diary!

• Approaches to return to, esp when you feel stuck

No prep needed. Just a love of all things life writing, and something to write with.

Details: Live 3hr workshop on Zoom, with time for two short refreshment breaks.

Attendees will also get a playback. Live workshop limited to 12 spots.

What a previous Dear Diary attendee said:

“Dear Diary was wonderful and the reading list is so good, i can’t wait to borrow some books from my library. But the very exciting news is that I wrote and read for the whole weekend after the workshop which is unheard of for me! Thank you for all the inspiration!”

“Exceptional and enlightening session.”

“I tracked down some old diaries before this workshop and literally all of them start with a shame filled apology for not maintaining my diary practice and the long breaks between entires – but today I’ve realised my diary can just be me coming home to myself without shame, but with excitement and joy.”

Tiered pricing:

Regular price, £65 – allows this workshops to be as thoroughly-researched as it is

Subsidised price, £45 – reduced for those who need it – covers my labour to deliver this workshop live

Higher price, £75 – allows growth and paying it forward to others

Playback only, £65 – a recording link via email for those unable to attend live. Playbacks for limited to 3 people for attendees’ privacy :)