When I was introducing Coffee & Creativity at Olympic Studios on Friday morning, I proposed a drinking game.
(The drink was coffee. That’s probably obvious from the title of the workshop. And it being 10am.)
When someone says “I’m not a writer”, we drink. When we hear our own thoughts say “I’m not a writer” or its other versions such as ‘“X is a proper writer, I’m just…” or “Y is the creative one, not me…”
We don’t judge the thoughts, or each other, or ourselves.
We just drink the coffee.
(Or water.)
We notice the thoughts.
It’s not about the drinking, obviously. It’s about the noticing; the acknowledging. It’s spotting the thinking that – if unnoticed – disguises itself convincingly as logic; stops us opening the conversations with the coaches, agents, peers, colleagues, communities who can help us take our ideas out from the limbo of being a perfect thing in our head and start the process of becoming a real thing in the world.
Every person in that circle on Friday morning had a different reason for being there, but also had the same reason.
We all have ideas. We all have questions about the world and our place in it. We all have a unique perspective and voice. We don’t always channel our creativity into making them real. The more anxiety gets of our creative software, the more we channel into writing the stories about how our stories won’t work, what will be wrong with the story/book/course/workshop/career step/personal life step.
We’re writing all the time.
Hello new members of the Writers’ Gym and new paid subscribers! If you’re not sure of your discount codes, just ask thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com or message me.
The Writing Room | 1.45-3.30pm Monday 13 January
PLEASE NOTE UNUSUAL TIMES FOR THE WRITING ROOM THIS WEEK AND NEXT! Free for everyone on my mailing list (if you’re reading this, that’s you!). No expectations, no readings, just an open chat box and ten minutes’ (totally optional) chat together at the end. Click here.
Riverscribes Fiction and Memoir | 7-8.30pm Monday 13 January
All the inspiration, support and techniques you need to weave initial ideas into fully realised stories. Whether you’re working on a story, novel or non-fiction, want some creative inspiration, or whether you’re intrigued by the idea of writing and want a creative outlet, this is the place to discover and develop your ideas and your voice. Click here.
Your Creative Writing Toolkit (2 of 4): Description and Dialogue | 2-3.30pm, Tuesday 14 January
Based on my book of the same name, this is the second of four Creative Writing Toolkit workshops solidifying the key skills of writing creatively – whether you’re focusing on fiction, memoir or any other genre or audience. Click here.
Coffee & Creativity | 1-2.30pm Wednesday 15 January
Quality writing time and excellent company! Grab a coffee and have a mid-week chat, a write and then another chat with your fellow creatives. Ably (and brilliantly) hosted this week by Writers’ Gym assistant, Bella. Free for members: type your discount code where indicated. Click here.
Writing Room EXTRA | 3-5pm Thursday 16 January
Members only: please your check Voxer messages.
Realise Your Writing Resolutions | 6.30-8.30pm, Thursday 16 January
Don’t just make a commitment to your writing for Christmas and New Year: show it your love throughout 2025. If you’re ready to create more time with and space for your writing, and identify the places you and your writing want to go together, this is where to begin your strongest writing year yet. FULLY BOOKED: JOIN WAITING LIST
If you’re not in the UK, find your timezone here.
You don’t have to be a member to join a Writers’ Gym session. Just sign up for any session. But if you’d like to access our weekly programme for free, and receive 30% off all our other events, email thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com or download a brochure at writersgym.com
For personal training and creative confidence for life, work and art, email info@rachelknightley.com or visit rachelknightley.com