Welcome 2023!
So, here we are.
It’s almost 3 years since the UK entered its first Covid lockdown. It’s almost 3 years since the world changed. It’s almost 3 years since we made the decision to cancel our planned in person workshops. And then we waited…
Countless words have run through my mind and I have formed many blog posts since publishing the last one but I haven’t typed and shared them. The reason? Perhaps it’s because when there’s so much to process & to articulate, it can be overwhelming.
The essence I think, is this – when everything seems to be in flux – try to keep hold of what matters to you. In 2009, I decided that I wanted to build a community for writers in London, focussing initially on my local area of Muswell Hill, North London. That was it. I didn’t have a business plan, just a wish. It is now 2023 and I am so grateful for the Creative Writes community that has built each year and how this did not falter during lockdown. We decided not to wait any longer for decisions that were out of our hands back in 2020. A Creative Writes programme of online creative writing workshops (including 1:1 and 2:1 Masterclasses) was devised and is still growing. We welcomed writers who had been part of our community for years, alongside those we had never met.
When we were able to run some in person Words & Wine Workshops again and also launch Walk & Write, the feeling of being able to meet some of the workshop participants who we had worked with for a year or more and not met before, is difficult to describe (I will say – there were happy tears!).
As we move forward, our online workshops & community continue to flourish. I absolutely love facilitating online, as well as in person workshops. My aim online from the beginning, has been to create a feeling of togetherness as close as we can get to being in a ‘real room.’ So, we always make time to check in with everyone as our Creative Writes groups are kept small. Unless there is a technical issue, everyone has their cameras on throughout the workshop and they are invited to read work aloud to the group (there is no critique given but also no pressure to read – as with all of our group workshops).
This afternoon – along with my Space to Write Workshop participants, I wrote a list of words for the year ahead and then chose my one word for 2023 from this list. Against my own advice, I hesitated when selecting the word. The word I settled on was Courage. Therefore, I aim to move into and through this new, unknown year with Courage.
I know that I am strengthened by my community, words (creativity) and the connection these bring.
Try this! Have you written your list of words for 2023? Set your clock for 5 minutes and write a list. Choose one word from this list that sums up your mindset, your wishes, your energies.
We have a busy Creative Writes programme for Winter/Spring 2023:
- Space to Write online workshops every Monday afternoon, 3pm.
- Words & Wine in person (first of 2023 will be Mon 30 Jan 8pm at a new venue, Muswell Hill, N10)
- Words & Wine online monthly workshops on Wednesday evenings (the first of 2023 will be Weds 1 Feb, 8.30pm)
- Walk & Write monthly at weekends (first of 2023 will be Sat 25 Feb, 10.30am, Highgate Wood/Parkland Walk, N10)
Our group workshops are small and supportive, so places are limited. Do book soon via our website, if you would like to join us for any of the workshops above. Here’s the link: https://www.creativewrites.co.uk/courses/
Whatever your word, I wish you courage and joy.
Welcome 2023, see you all soon!
Nichola x
