Many Ways to Grow

Monday 1st July 2026

What does our website tell you about NWS?

Well, we hope that it showcases the variety of opportunities writers have to connect and collaborate, the different venues we meet up at and some of the development opportunities available to NWS members, and of course, how you can join our organisation.

More importantly, we hope it shows something of our commitment to

“providing a ‘home’ for any writer that is seeking connection, validation and a way of making progress with their writing in a nurturing community, and strive to support them to be successful in their craft. And we welcome fresh ideas and perspectives that help our grass roots organisation to grow.”

That is our mission statement, and we feel we do our best to uphold it. But we are always looking at ways we can do more - time and resources permitting of course!

If you have been following these blog updates, you might have read back in February that we added a ‘Members’ Bookshelf’ to our website, to show support for our published members, and maybe encourage those not published yet to join them! We hope it will continue to expand… there have definitely been a few new additions since spring! Go, writers!

Added to the bookshelf this June

We have also been creating opportunities to nurture some of the mentoring talent within our community too. Being lucky to have experienced authors and workshop facilitators like Ian C Douglas and Teika Marija Smits as established members always willing to share their expertise, we have already enjoyed some stellar workshops this year. But it’s also been rewarding to support some less experienced ones to share their valuable knowledge too, and this is something we would like to do more of this year.

“The more you put into this community, the more you get out of it.”

Sharing your wins, challenges and questions with other writers can open up all kinds of wonderful discussions and that can be where that unseen magic lies. Take our ‘Let’s Talk About…’ session this week. We came up with these relaxed, yet informative, online get-togethers to provide NWS members with the chance to get to know some of our workshop facilitators. It also gives them a chance to ask questions about their writing projects and upcoming workshops before signing up, as well as provides the facilitator with ideas for what to cover in the upcoming workshop.

Not only that, the low pressure, laid back hour is another way to connect with fellow writers and perhaps be inspired by each others unique ideas and progress - it certainly gave me something different to think about! In fact my takeaway from this particular meet-up was that apart from the fact I drink too much coffee and write erratically at times, there are in fact other times when I am incredibly focused on my characters motivations and what led them there - I might be doing something right after all!

Scribbling something down…

Here’s what Heather had to say after leading her first session with NWS members,

“I absolutely LOVED last night's session. For me, as the host, it was really beneficial to gain an insight into what my fellow writers feel they need help with, and to be able to share ideas and solutions is such a great way to generate creativity and build on the community spirit. As an editor, I feel really passionately about helping authors to shape their work, using professional expertise and industry insights whilst championing an author's voice and vision. Community amongst writers is more important than ever before, and I'm so grateful to have found one in NWS.”

And we are delighted to have you on board Heather! Your warmth and generosity of spirit really shone through and we know we are going to love working with you again.

We were also thrilled when author and experienced mentor Shreya Sen-Handley offered her expert services to reinstate her ‘Writers’ Clinic’ this summer. These have proved popular in the past, with writers from a range of genres and at different points in their writing journeys. As someone who has found the pitfalls herself in the past, she is very much the sort of person who can help with you writing ailments if you visit her online surgery!

New group mentoring sessions for members

Membership is strong this year, and we pride ourselves in providing a variety of ways for our members to connect, that are both quality but cost effective, and a blend of formal learning experiences and informal meet-ups. And our ears are always open to new ideas, so if you have one… get in touch!

Come and join our creative community!

Debra

Getting to the Heart of It

Monday 1st June 2026

“Pay attention to the story and the story pays attention to you.”

Adrian Reynolds - writer and storyteller - 2026

Writer and storyteller Adrian Reynolds

We paid attention. We listened, we shared our ideas and we took them for a walk…. yeah, literally.

Not all of the methods applied to get us to the heart of storytelling were strictly orthodox, but then what about storytelling really is? Sure, you can adopt a familiar structure, employ a tried and tested formula - and that has its place - but ultimately there is nothing predictable about an interesting story.

You might think you know where it’s going when you start writing it, but it is very likely to end up somewhere else entirely!

Our final in-person workshop for May was refreshing, to say the least. Especially the bit where we were challenged to ‘write about place as a person’, and then ‘a person as a place’, which was infinitely harder. In a week where the heat made our brains fill with treacle, Adrian certainly loosened up those sticky cogs and got us back into gear.

Ideas in full flow

“Plump cushions sit atop a shapely chaise longue that teeters on tall legs in the corner near the bar. There’s a cloud of cigarette smoke and the scent of heady perfume, applied far too liberally to be classy. The opulent decor in rich ruby and animal prints is looking tired and tawdry. The chandelier has bits of glass missing on one side, but the glitter is just the same. There’s comfort in the brassiness, a genuine warmth at the heart of it all.”

Workshop participant - 2026

If you guessed that piece was designed to personify a public house as the legendary Bet Lynch then you are surely worthy of a prize - ok, now it’s your turn…

Did you manage it?

A good writing workshop conveys its teaching point well and the participants leave with what they expected. An exceptional one sees them left with more that they could have imagined. And that’s what we are aiming to deliver when we put together our schedule of NWS workshops. We spend time talking to our members and finding out what they really want.

And when you look around the room, at the level of engagement and hear ideas launched out into the arena with confidence, you know what was planned is hitting all the right notes. And that matters. Adrian is someone the studio has worked with before, who has become a friend over the years, and of course we already think he is amazing. It was validating to hear the same from Wednesday’s work-shoppers too!

“It was a really insightful session. One that encouraged you to delve deep into your thoughts and memories, to find new ways to describe and narrate. Adrian is an excellent storyteller and teacher, and his expertise combined with the peaceful, creative atmosphere of the venue provided a nurturing space where thoughts were given voice and words room to grow.”

Heather Ivatt - writer and editor - 2026

Heather sharing her inspired face!

We are always grateful for feedback, as it helps us to refine content and tailor workshops to our members requirements. We are not going to get it right all the time, but we certainly do our best and it’s great when members let us know when we do.

There is also a wealth of expertise within our membership that we would hope to be able to share with others, as this is another way we can support them with their own development, both as workshop facilitators and participants. Bearing in mind that some of our members have published several books, and at least one has run their own publishing company, we certainly feel we can learn from their extensive experience.

Which leads me neatly into our next scheduled workshop on 22nd June. Following the interest sparked by her introduction to publishing, back in February of this year, Teika Marija Smits has put together a follow-on workshop which focuses on the indie market and how to publish successfully in that arena.

We know we have a handful of members who are on the cusp of publishing their first novel, so this might just be the path they choose.

Come and join our creative community!

Deb

The Write Stuff

Friday 1st May 2026

What do you do, when the words just won’t come?

You’ve now finally committed to calling yourself a writer, but aren’t actually, well…writing!

Even experienced writers and well-published authorities on writing can become lost at the puzzling conundrum of what to do when the word well runs dry.

Staring into my coffee…

My favourite piece of advice about how to free yourself from creative stagnation will always be,

“If you can’t write, read. And if you can’t read, go for a walk.”

I can’t quite remember where I found this simple wisdom, but it works for me. Another great motivator for getting words on the page is to write with other writers. When I first took on the community support role with NWS, it was the desire to create opportunities to work together that was at the forefront of my mind as an important resource for members.

Sure, it’s fantastic to have a quiet writing space tucked away at home somewhere where you can’t be disturbed while the words flow. But that can be a lonely place to be when the dreaded ‘writers’ block’ decides to move in with you, taunts you mercilessly and won’t leave! The cycle of negativity and self-sabotage can soon set in.

Writing in coffee shops

One of the easiest ways I find I can get out of my own head, is to pack up my laptop, notebook and a good pair of earbuds and take myself off to my favourite coffee shop. It’s familiar enough that I can relax as soon as I arrive, but also people are often busily absorbed in their own occupations to notice or want to distract me. Though there are occasions when someone I know will also be there, they are generally aware of my purpose and leave me to focus after a few friendly words, that human contact can often be most welcome and much needed. Oh, and then there are also sweet treats…mmm.

Another space I find incredibly beneficial for my productivity and well-being is the co-writing space we have created at Nottingham Central Library. Now, this often moves a round the building a little bit more that we would like, due to us renting rooms that are very much in demand by all who choose to use the library’s superb facilities, but once we are there, we make ourselves at home.

For two hours, writers can sit in a comfortable, bright airy space and just get on and write! Beyond a few supportive smiles and cheery hellos, there is little conversation, though first-timers are welcomed and the more seasoned members are happy to answer their questions. Due to a house move, and all the logistical gymnastics that and down-sizing takes, I haven’t managed to get along to one of our popular co-writing sessions for a while. When I do, I am always glad that I did.

Co-writing in Room 2

Apart from the warmth I feel at reconnecting with people I have got to know through NWS - one regular describes arriving as “being back with her writing family” - the laid-back industrious environment does wonders for my concentration. Glancing around the room, it seems to have a positive impact on others too.

Members tell us,

“I love the space at the library as I know when I can motivate myself to get there I will make really good progress with my writing. I am aware of the other people writing around me and that spurs me on.”

“Writing at home is fine most of the time, but when procrastination hits I can find literally anything to do around the house to distract me from what I am actually supposed to be doing. Coming to ‘SPACE TO WRITE’ definitely stops me from doing that.”

“With a houseful of noisy people at the weekends, having a space to escape to is essential. I like writing in coffee shops but I can still get distracted and can spend a fortune! With the co-writing sessions, I can bring my own drink and a snack, and just crack on for two hours.”

Words flowing on the page

‘SPACE TO WRITE’ co-writing sessions run on Saturday mornings and are usually in Room 2 or Room 4. They are free to members, but non-members are welcome for a small contribution, which is payable via Eventbrite. The library staff are accommodating to our need for a quiet well-organised space to meet and write, and are more than happy to direct you to the room if you are having trouble finding it, for whatever reason.

We generally prefer a morning slot, but will swap to the afternoon at busy times to retain the consistency we writers need to keep the momentum going.

Where will you be writing this weekend…?

Come and join our creative community!

Deb