Creative Writing and Writing For Wellbeing - What’s The Difference? 

The difference between creative writing and writing for wellbeing is the focus. Creative writing workshops are tailored to learning the skills of writing for an audience. Writing for wellbeing workshops are focused on writing for yourself - there is no emphasis on spelling, grammar or any particular style although we do play with different poetic forms from time to time. There is no expectation to get things ‘right’ and no pressure to share your writing if you don’t want to. Writing for wellbeing is not about an end product but about the process of discovery through writing.

No previous writing experience is necessary as the emphasis is on play, experimentation and going with the flow.  There is no ‘right or wrong’ when it comes to writing for wellbeing, just support and encouragement to try new things and explore your own unique way of expressing yourself. 

I believe that everyone is creative and that engaging in creative activities greatly enhances our sense of wellbeing.  Enabling people to reconnect with their creativity or to explore it more deeply is what I enjoy most about the work I do.  My workshops offer you the opportunity to slow down and explore your thoughts and feelings using the technique of Free Writing, also known as Stream of Consciousness Writing.  Prompts include poems, artwork, music, natural objects, visualisation and writing outdoors to name but a few!  The sharing of your own story, and witnessing the stories of others, is a key element.

I have been facilitating Writing For Wellbeing workshops in Aberdeen city and shire since 2010 for adults and children. During the pandemic I also began offering workshops online. I most often work in small groups and aim to provide a nurturing, non-critical environment where respect for each other is emphasised to enable group members to experiment and take risks with their creative expression.

I also offer combined labyrinth walk and writing workshops and events.

In my own writing practise, I create poems using traditional and modern poetic forms and I particularly enjoy combining my love of the written word with visual elements through such forms as Erasure and Concrete poetry.

I am a Certified Poetry Therapist with the International Academy of Poetry Therapy and also have an MSc in Pluralistic Counselling from Abertay University.