Writing can be a powerful tool for making sense of and healing our past trauma, but it can also be painful, distressing, and triggering to connect to the emotions around those experiences.
This online workshop aims to equip you with tools and approaches to help you write about challenging subjects while taking care of yourself. Through a combination of instruction and private reflective exercises you'll develop a writing plan which you can return to as you continue your journey.
Who is this workshop for?
Anyone who wishes to explore, express, or otherwise work with difficult personal experiences through writing, whether that's fiction, creative non-fiction, essay, memoir, poetry, journalling, or any other form.
There's no requirement to share what those experiences are, or whether or not you define them as traumatic.
All levels of writing experience - including none! - are very welcome.
Please note: This workshop isn't intended as therapy and I'm not a psychotherapist or counsellor. If you are in distress please seek support from a qualified psychological professional.
About the workshop
Over 1.5 hours (with two short breaks) you'll learn about:
- Writing and trauma
- Creating space for writing
- Allowing ourselves to write
- Caring for ourselves while writing, and why it is essential to do so
- When not to write
We'll do some writing exercises and private reflections around these topics, and have some time for questions at the end. There won't be any group work, discussion, or sharing in this workshop and I'll be encouraging everybody to stay muted until the Q&A section at the end.
The workshop will be delivered over Zoom and I'll be recording it (except the Q&A). Everyone who signs up will receive the recording, as well as a handout with information about reading and resources you may find helpful.
I'm a writer based in east London, UK. My short stories, poems, and creative non fiction have been published in Lavender Bones, Sage Cigarettes, Crow & Cross Keys, Bone Parade, and elsewhere.
I've been delivering friendly and supportive classes, talks, and workshops for individuals, charities, community groups, and schools for over a decade. Kind things people have said about my writing workshops include:
- "Clearly you're a skilled and experienced teacher. Your positivity and appreciation of all comments and contributions was fantastic, important and surprisingly rare."
- "I really appreciate how you made the workshop a safe space with trigger warnings, not forcing people to share or speak."
- "I got 3 story seeds from the activities, which is amazing!"
I have lived experience of complex trauma, and I'm a certified Write Your Self trauma-sensitive writing guide. I also have a Level 4 Certificate in Counselling Skills from Warwick University Centre for Lifelong Learning.
Before that, I studied MSc Gender, Sexuality, Politics & Culture at Birkbeck College, University of London, and BA English Literature at King's College, University of Cambridge.
You can find out more about me and my work at https://sarah-i-jackson.ghost.io/
I have made some discounted £12 places available for people on low or no incomes, you can select these at the same link as the full price tickets.
