Write, reflect and connect in this restorative, creative writing workshop. Open to all, no writing experience needed.

'Darkness is rarely just the absence of light. It can be menace and mystery, grief and dream, danger and desire. It can also be the place where the mind loosens its grip and a different kind of seeing becomes possible.' - The Poetry Pharmacy, Poetry Poison: Darkness

'Writing with Darkness' is a restorative creative writing workshop at The Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street. Over 90 minutes we’ll be warming ourselves up to get writing, exploring what darkness means to us, looking at how darkness is explored in poems and responding to some creative writing prompts.

This workshop theme has been inspired both by the soon-to-be darker evenings and the seeking of light amidst the dark, and the launch of the new poetic poison anthologies at The Poetry Pharmacy (of which, darkness is one...)

How will it work?

90 minute in-person workshop (doors will open at 10am for a 10:10am start)

A blend of conversation prompts and creative writing exercises to explore darkness in different ways

A welcoming, supportive environment to meet and connect with others

*Please note that no prior writing experience is needed, and you don’t have to share anything you have written. Whether you’re completely new to writing, or have notebooks filled with scribbles, everyone is welcome. All you need to bring is your favourite notebook and pen, and an open heart and mind.

What inspired the ‘Writing with…’ workshop series?

Since working at The Poetry Pharmacy I’ve become really curious about what it could mean to create a space for people to come together to connect around and write from a particular emotion. More and more I found myself wondering…what might happen if we came together collectively to explore an emotion? What conversations might we have? And how might each emotion inspire our own writing? And so, this 'Writing with...' series was born. To date I’ve hosted ‘Writing with…’ workshops exploring hope, courage, compassion & joy and I’ve really enjoyed them, in particular the wonderful people I’ve met and connected with!

Some kind words about past ‘Writing with…’ workshop

A real highlight of the session was how you wove together the poems and created prompts. You have a real gift for group facilitation - gentleness, respect, playfulness and kindness.

It was such a joy to spend time being creative and experimental with language and feelings in a safe space, knowing whatever is shared is valued and heard. It's so valuable to have a space like this.

I loved the structure of the session and how we approached each writing prompts with the support and inspiration from another poem or an image, and how everything everyone shared progressively slipped into each new writing

I want to remember the sense of shared joy, warmth and kindness in the group. The poems I wrote that day and how joy is everywhere, waiting for us to see her and let her in

Something that’s really stayed with me from the session is that the act of connecting, fully being present and engaging with ourselves and others in the present can be one of the most courageous things we do. Thank you

I’d really like to hold onto the uplifting and connected feeling of the session - it was a lovely chance to slow down and reflect, to hear beautiful poetry and hear each others responses

About Katie

Katie is a poet, creative practitioner, facilitator and Poetry Pharmacist at the Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street. Her poetry explores the connections we make in our lives and her career to date has focused on nurturing people's creative confidence and creating spaces for connection.

About The Poetry Pharmacy

We have been dispensing poetry since 2011 from the back of our vintage ambulance as the Emergency Poet at festivals, conferences, hospitals and care settings, libraries and schools, with a poetry pharmacy of poems-in-pills under the attached awning. We believe that poetry can do so much to match or alter a mood, to assist in so many ways with good mental health.

Please note that this workshop will be taking place at The Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street which is on the first floor of LUSH so some background noise is to be expected.

Description supplied by the event organiser.