I have always enjoyed writing for my own pleasure, whether that be a diary or journal, some poetry, spiritual reflections, and now, this blog. There is a satisfaction in putting the proverbial pen to paper and crafting the words to communicate knowledge, thoughts, emotions, ideas, and issues.
I suppose I have also taken the ability to be able to write for granted. I’m not suggesting that I’m the world’s greatest but learning to read and write came relatively easy to me. It wasn’t until I found myself in a previous role where I was supporting staff who struggled with literary skills and then studied to become a basic skills support assistant that I realised how challenging it is for many adults who have not, for various reasons, been able to learn as children.
When the pandemic hit, I had more time on my hands and I turned to my writing. I started a pandemic journal which became quite monotonous after the first few months but reading back reminds me of how I and lots of us felt at the beginning of that time: coping with working at home all the time, learning to live in close proximity with an 18 year old son who was unable to socialise, sit his exams or perform his music, trying to care for vulnerable parents who lived a little distance away without compromising their health and getting used to hearing my husband’s voice drone on in endless Zoom meetings (earphones have been my saving grace!). But also, the opportunities it afforded to have more space to think and reflect, to enjoy the natural environment, to appreciate the lack of traffic noise and pollution, to just be. It certainly has been a mixed blessing. I am sure as the years go on, this writing will become an important part of history: both mine and the world’s.
It was at the beginning of the pandemic I attended a writing for wellbeing session held for staff. It was led by the Director of Creative Writing for Swansea University, David Britton. I was inspired by the exercises he set us and decided to make enquiries about the MA in Creative Writing. It was a leap of faith as my writing to date had been very informal and personal. Would I be able to rise to the challenge? Would my standard of writing be good enough for this level of study? Would people be at all interested in what I have to say? Well, there was only one way to find out.
I enrolled on the course in October 2020 and plan to graduate this coming December after completing my dissertation. It has been a rollercoaster experience. I have learnt so much and agonised over my writing in a way I could never have anticipated. It has been hugely beneficial to my mental health, particularly during lockdown, and I have surprised myself at what I have been good at and not so good at.
My entry into this course was through a poetry module. I soon realised how amateur I was at it but really enjoyed learning the craft of writing poetry and studying other poets. I have since studied and written in the following genre: creative non-fiction, memoir, long fiction, short story and radio drama. I learnt that I absolutely love non-fiction and memoir, found long fiction satisfying but hard, short stories not my forte and writing radio drama so out of my comfort zone. Yet, it seems I have some ability in this amazing art form. I have decided to write my dissertation as memoir and am, as I write, working hard on the discipline of writing every day. This type of writing does not come easily and can’t be left until the last minute.
So, what has the course taught me?
That writing is liberating and exciting
That it demands discipline
That it is all in the editing, and how much time this takes
Everyone has something to say
The world is so much richer for the written and listened word
But you don’t have to do an MA to get writing. Just some time and the right inclination. Over the past three years I have run writing for wellbeing sessions for our students and it has been an amazing experience to share their writing with them – such a privilege. When I meet staff and students for the Listening Service and bereavement support my mantra is always, ‘have you thought of writing down how you feel?’
My course is coming to an end, and I am concerned that I will stop writing as regularly. So, I need your help. If you write, or are interested in starting, then let me know and maybe we could form a writing circle, where we can share each other’s writing and be a support for one another. I look forward to hearing from you.