Join me in my 2025 book writing adventure
even if you think you aren't ready to write a book yet.
Hello and welcome! I am Mel Parks and I run creative writing workshops in Sussex, UK as well as online. I began this Substack, Awen, in 2022 as a gathering place for my thoughts about the writing process and to share some stories and creative inspiration along the way. Awen is free to read and share.
Dear all
I’m not sure where to begin with my newsletter today. I usually write and publish on a Friday morning but today is Thursday and I’ve decided to write and schedule it as I have other plans tomorrow. It’s as if my brain can’t cope with this change in plan as my thoughts for this usually come pretty easily first thing on a Friday. It’s demonstrating to me the power of routine and habit. Which, as we know, is important for writing.
Following last week’s post about Julia Cameron’s morning pages, this one about offering one-to-one support for people writing books, and this one about why I haven’t written a book yet, I’ve been wondering whether to create a series of experiments for myself aimed at writing and finishing a book in 2025. A book coaching course based on mindset, practicalities and magic that I do myself then share my progress and thoughts here each week or month.
If I do this, would you like to join in?
This would make the whole project public (increasing accountability, which is also helpful for writing) - I would publish a plan for the year in advance and then you can join in if you want to and leave comments or send emails letting me know how you’re getting on.
It would be aimed at people who want to prioritise their writing more but something is holding them back. This could be your own thoughts or other limitations in life such as a health condition or caring responsibilities.
If a group of us begins to form, I would consider monthly meetings on Zoom but this would need to be part of my paid subscription.
Let me know what you think! Are you in?
Either reply to this email or leave a comment below.
P.S. I really did not know I was going to write or publish this intention until I began to write, even though it has been lurking at the back of my mind since a friend suggested the idea. This is the magic at work. Let’s make it happen!
P.P.S. Scroll down for my autumn workshops which I really should be telling you more about, but my time for planning is next week!! However, I know this - they will be fun and they will show me again and again the power of getting together to support each other, listen and share our stories.
***The Zoom group for paid subscribers begins on Tuesday 10 September 2-3pm (UK time)***
I’ll have a planning session next week and let you know more about a theme for the new season. In the meantime, if you’d like to join us, click ‘upgrade’ in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
Creative Writing Workshops with me (Mel Parks)
Tuesday afternoons on Zoom (2-3pm UK time)
£8 per month or £80 per year with a paid Awen Substack subscription.
NEXT SESSION: New season begins on 10 September.
You can come to as many as you are able to.
If you are not able to subscribe (or don’t want to!), then please email me for alternative ways to join.
Becoming a Writer
Monthly Tuesday evenings in East Grinstead (7-9pm)
A monthly creative writing workshop for beginners. Plenty of fun writing prompts, games and activities to get your creative juices flowing.
Each session costs £30, but if you’d like to book all three autumn sessions for £80, click here.
The Writer’s Notebook
Thursday mornings in East Grinstead (10-12noon)
Series of five weeks beginning on 19 September (19 Sept; 26 Sept; 3 Oct; 10 Oct; 17 Oct)
If you attend my face-to-face groups regularly, you can also attend the Zoom group for no extra charge.
Until next time…
This newsletter was created by Mel Parks, a writer, researcher and workshop facilitator based in Sussex, UK. Mel runs writing workshops locally and on Zoom and researches creativity in midlife as well as her personal connection to nature. She has been widely published and is currently working on a series of moon and plant-inspired essays.
It is free to read and share, but if you value my work, please do stop by my virtual honesty box and leave a handful of loose change.
This newsletter may contain affiliate links.
Wonderful that you're being ambitious! I'm not quite sure what's involved, but would love to learn! (I'm struggling with my own first draft of a novel...)
Anyhoo, good luck!!!
Sounds good idea ! I’m in