All That Sparkles…
Wednesday 1st April 2026
Back in the summer of 2024, something beautiful was forming.
Our Invoke Poetry leader Oli was leaving Nottingham and Hannah Norris was ready to step into his shoes with fresh ideas for a dynamic monthly poetry event - Diamonds and Rust. Oli’s followers were delighted their already close community could continue to meet and grow. And so it has! One year on, Diamonds and Rust Poetry celebrated a hugely successful year at a sparkling event where poets honoured their work, and each other. It was a privilege to have attended, so we are delighted to be returning to Nottingham Playhouse for the two-year anniversary this July.
For this month’s post, we handed our blog space over to Chloé Rose Whitmore, to hear first-hand why Diamonds and Rust is such a special event on the NWS calendar and how Hannah nurtures and inspires her creative community.
Hannah introducing the line-up at the one year celebrations
So Chloé… what did bring you along to your first Diamonds and Rust workshop in August 2024, and what were your first impressions?
“I’d recently joined Nottingham Writer’s Studio, and I’d been meaning to go to their poetry workshops for a few months. When I saw it was relaunching as Diamonds and Rust, I took my opportunity – not realising that my first session as an attendee was also Hannah’s first session as a workshop leader. It felt like such an immediately welcoming and creative environment; despite most people already knowing each other, Hannah’s prompts and introductions made it easy to start talking to people – and, more importantly, to start writing. I ended the evening in the pub with the other attendees, before sprinting to my car in the pouring rain. It was magic.”
Chloé Rose Whitmore (Pic 2)
Could you tell us how your writing has evolved since attending the first workshop? Are there any prompts, exercises or moments that particularly stayed with you?
“The most important change in my writing has been in regularity; by carving the space out for poetry and poetic conversations every month, it helps me keep the tap running, which makes it easier to slip into writing on a more regular basis. But the prompts and exercises have been amazing too – in encouraging me to loosen the restraints, to take things lightly, engage in play, consider things from a different angle. Last month’s ‘inspiration buffet’, with prompts flying at us from every direction, is something I’m still feasting on.”
And what role does being part of a writing community play in your creative life?
“It’s hard to overstate how wonderful it is to be part of a writing community, even if it’s on a monthly basis. That feeling of kinship, of kindred spirits being able to talk about things like sestinas and pantoums with genuine ardour – it makes everything feel possible. Writing, life, standing on a stage and reading your poems into a mic. The community makes these things feel valuable, worthwhile, even essential. And, of course, it’s a source of constant inspiration – whether it’s from other attendees’ poems, or the sparkling conversation.”
When you sit down to write a poem, what usually sparks it - an image, a line, a feeling or something else?
“For me, it’s a mixture. Sometimes, an image presents itself that’s so obviously a poem – like a bird devouring a blackberry the size of its head, from a bush I didn’t even notice in my garden. Other times, a certain word or phrase catches my attention, and I’ll note it down and let it marinate to see if something interesting sparks. Or a chewy, complicated feeling will arise that I’ll try to put words to, even if it’s just to make sense of it to myself. Reading poetry on a regular basis helps me notice these moments when they come, so I’m ready to snatch them – and not lose them to the infinite scroll.”
So, what would you say to someone who is thinking about coming to a poetry workshop but feels nervous about getting started?
“Walking into a room of strangers is always daunting – even more so when you’re there to create, which requires a certain level of vulnerability. But if you love writing, poetry, language – or even if you just want to try something new – there’s no better place to be.”
This is where your people are. You won’t regret it.
Diamonds celebrating together at the one year event - July 31st 2025
And it’s all about finding your community, right?
A huge thanks to Chloé for sharing her thoughts with us here, and of course to Hannah who devotes her time, care and energy to creating her workshop sessions. We hear you both have grand plans for the rest of the year!
Diamonds and Rust Poetry sessions are moving from the city library to Broadway this April, and we are all excited to see this new venue become part of the D&R story.
Come and join our creative community!
Deb
Talking About Collaborations
Sunday 1st March 2026
Anyone else sing along to that title…?
Maybe it’s just me that has music running around in my brain 24/7, but I can definitely see how each word of it fits the beats of the main refrain in the 1965 rock anthem by The Who.
Got it yet?
Although I’m not quite of their generation, it’s definitely been a tune that’s weaved itself through my life’s timeline.
NWS Members connecting at the monthly social
For those who did recognise the syllabic similarities, we have now connected. We’ve found something we have in common in that song. As humans we often seek out these connections. They are generally understood as being deeply rooted in our biology and evolutionary history, and essential for our well-being.
As writers, we often talk about the isolating nature of writing. Of the need sometimes, to get out of our heads and discuss plotlines and character motivations with other people.
Nobody will understand how validating it is, when a writing discussion bears fruit, than another writer. A friend or family member can express their joy at your excitement as you let out a “Whoop!” at closing the lid on that difficult chapter or nailing that perfect description, but they can rarely feel what you are experiencing – unless they are a writer too, of course!
At NWS, we try to provide opportunities for writers to meet up, talk about, and share their writing. These can be informal occasions, like the socials or during co-writing sessions. We also we encourage members to consider connecting with a ‘writing buddy’, for support and feedback on their work, or facilitate finding them a group of writers they can work with, for more structured responses.
Co-writing on Saturdays is another great way to meet up with writers
Collab groups can be formed to offer informal feedback to writers, however, they can operate more as a formal critique group too. In the latter, participating writers submit an agreed number of words to the rest of the group, in advance of their meeting. They can then prepare detailed feedback to share in the session. It’s all down to how individuals decide they want to work together, really.
The group that NWS Director author Nick joined, operates as a structured critique group. He speaks highly of the safe and supportive space they have created within their online feedback sessions in the past eighteen months. Via his YouTube channel, he shares many of his observations and writing tips with followers, and is convinced that being part of a regular writing group has improved his perception of his own writing.
In one of his latest broadcasts, he considers how, as writers, we can be “too close” to our own words. He outlines the benefits that having another perspective can offer. Nick also speaks about how the common ethos fostered, makes the vulnerability you might feel, at sharing your work with someone else, disappear. He refers to the other members as “colleagues” and says trust and friendship means that feedback is always supportive, and “offers sound solutions to problems”.
No more second guessing whether the reader will understand the symbolism you have so carefully crafted, and you can gain clarity on whether there are plot holes larger than a UK pothole!
Nick motivating writers to SHUT UP & WRITE!
Over in another online collab group, Wendy tells me, “We have gotten to know each other's writing and the projects we are working on, some of which is a little sensitive. We feel we've built trust in the group.” This is so important for writers, who often find themselves producing work that can be deeply personal and are apprehensive about sharing.
“The group is very much a success, providing excellent and insightful feedback all round.”
“I’m finding the feedback useful and everyone is supportive and full of ideas.”
Above are quotes from other members, who are experiencing the benefits of belonging to a collab group. And this is exactly what we hope for when we encourage writers to forge links with each other.
Our vibrant and diverse community can help each other to thrive.
“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”
(William Arthur Ward)
Pop back at the end of next month to find out what we got up to in March, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Come and join our creative community!
Deb
Hello February!
Sunday 1st February 2026
Well, here we are…
the first day
of the shortest month.
The one that pulls us that much closer to springtime.
Image by Aniket Bhattacharya on Unsplash
So, how was your January? Did you hunker down, resort to full hibernation or make grand plans for a brand new year? For me, the winter months are the perfect time to focus on writing. I’m steadily consistent, as the pull to be outside when it’s cold and dark just isn’t there. I’m more inclined to make a pot of coffee and crack open the Ginger Nuts. Wintering is definitely a priority.
No lofty aspirations or sudden actions, I like to emerge from December like those first spring buds and shoots, tiny glimpses of what’s to come.
What’s great about my role with NWS, is that I get to hang out with others that qualify this as time well spent! I no longer find myself making excuses to my friends when I want to stay home and write, I just do it! And that’s been so liberating. It’s also been rewarding to connect and collaborate with other writers, discover what talent lies behind the NWS memberships and beyond. I’m privileged to be meeting some incredibly inspiring people.
And in the spirit of all things community, always looking for opportunities to show support for and appreciation of this.
Behold…
THE MEMBERS BOOKSHELF
A small selection of our members’ published writing
Having spent the end of the summer updating the website, and learning a fair bit of technical stuff I didn’t know already, I have been talking with the team about extra benefits we could provide to members. We all feel the website now reflects better our vibrant community and intend for it to adapt and grow as organically as Nottingham Writers’ Studio has over the years.
I felt offering members a platform to promote their published work was something we could easily do - you know, now I’m a technical genius - and it was! I put a call out for members to send me their books and when I had enough to create a modest bookshelf that I could photograph, I got to work! So now, when you scroll down through the past publications that NWS produced, you will find a slideshow gallery to browse.
*tap images to scroll
The ‘how to buy’ section underneath, which will have links to all the places you can purchase, will help promote shopping at our independents where possible. Some of our members have more than the featured masterpieces to buy on their websites too, so it’s definitely worth heading over for a nosy. I did, and discovered Ian C. Douglas has a whole back catalogue on his, and Kel Eckley has been designing her own merch!
Hmm… NWS merch? Now that’s an idea…
Pop back at the end of next month to find out what we got up to in February, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Come and join our creative community!
Debra