Meet Your Writing Retreat Leaders: Joanna Young
Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by Joanna in Sardinia
The writing retreats in Sardinia are run by myself, Joanna Young, and Emma Bird. We also run this site and do all the admin and paperwork, and answer your emails and calls about the retreats. We thought it would be a good idea to share a bit about ourselves to help you get to know [...]
How Water Affects Your Creativity and Your Writing
Posted on 16. Jun, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
Have you ever thought about the effect that water might have on your creativity? Or noticed the way that your writing flows better when you’re near water, watching as your words tumble and flow onto the page?
If you’re anything like me you might have noticed it subconsciously or intuitively. I tend to [...]
What Inspires You To Write?
Posted on 18. Mar, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
Writing inspiration is my theme this month at Confident Writing, and it’s got me thinking about what it is that inspires us to write.
Maybe it’s things: words, people, teachers, places, music, a poem, a mood, a painting
Or maybe you’re fuelled by a writing purpose, the intention that lies behind your words: to tell your story, [...]
Changing places and shifting perspective
Posted on 29. Feb, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
My stay in England has been unexpectedly extended and it looks like I’ll be here for another month. Not that I’m complaining. It’s lovely not having to charge around at 150kph (see, I’m all European now), trying to cram in seeing dozens of people in a matter of days all because my time in the [...]
The Pleasure of Writing in a Café (Part 2)
Posted on 19. Feb, 2008 by Joanna in Sardinia
Last week, Joanna blogged about the joys of writing in a bar or café. Like her, I love it, too.
I love watching the shouting out of orders and the quickness of the barmen as they respond. I love listening to the gurgling of the coffee machines which give rhythm to my writing. And I love [...]
Alghero’s sunset and how it helped my writing
Posted on 18. Feb, 2008 by Joanna in Sardinia
I’m back in England but still dreaming about Alghero.
As I’ve blogged about before, the coastal city has had a special place in my heart ever since my first visit back in December 2002.
But this time around, it was a truly cathartic experience.
I’ve been struggling with my writing for a while. Not my everyday writing but [...]
Writing Doesn’t Need To Be A Lonely Business
Posted on 06. Feb, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
Writing doesn’t need to be a lonely business.
Of course some parts of the writing process are deeply personal and private, but sharing our words together is a great way not just to stretch and improve the way that we write but also to rediscover the fun, the spark and the passion in the writing process.
Join [...]
Why I love writing on the beach
Posted on 30. Jan, 2008 by Joanna in Sardinia
When it’s warm and sunny (like today), there’s nothing I love more than starting the day sitting on a sandy beach, breathing in the sea air and writing a few pages of my diary. In fact, I did just that this morning.
I’m not sure what makes it so special. The grains of sand between my [...]
7 Ways That Travel Helps Us Write
Posted on 30. Jan, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
One of the enquiries we’ve had about the workshop is whether the focus is on travel or more general writing.
My answer was that it’s more general (within the spectrum of non-fiction writing), but also that:
“…we will be building on the experience of travel to get you
writing with more energy – writing with all your senses, [...]