I’m Rebecca and I write things. I’ve had three books published to date and two more out next year (spanning journalistic non-fiction, a pregnancy guide for Penguin Life, children’s non-fiction and memoir). I’m a sometime journalist too and combine this with parenting and activism around motherhood/human rights/repro rights. I also look after this new Mothers Who Write (MWW) community and run the MWW retreats. This makes me sound very put together and organised, but alas I am not.
It would be great if you could introduce yourself too and let us know what you are hoping to get out of being here.
Hello! I’m Luce. My debut memoir came out in the last few weeks. It covers post-birth injuries and bodies and incontinence, the wider impact of taboos around that on women’s health (and global health issues) whilst being a personal, open feminist roar of a memoir. It’s been such an odd journey and so difficult launching in lockdown. I am working on my second book and finding the balancing act v hard with home life.
I'm Amity, a midwife and mum of two in London. I have been writing in some form or another since childhood, starting with poetry as a 10-year-old and then moving onto a journalism degree, blogging and writing for various websites and e-zines. After a few years in my late 20s / early 30s trying to catch a break while writing for free and raising my kids, I decided enough was enough and I had to have a career that paid so I trained as a midwife. But writing has always been and will always be my primary passion. I wrote a memoir about my time as a midwife in the NHS which is being published on October 1st. I'm itching to get started on a new project though and am contemplating trying my hand at fiction but it feels very scary as I've always been a 'creative non-fiction' writer! I'm debating whether I should stick to what I know or take a risk and branch out. I need to just put pen to paper and see what happens, I guess! Glad to be here and talk to other writers who get it.
Hi, I‘m Agnes. It occurred to me only recently that my idea for a novel I had started to write bits and pieces for a long time ago (and then stopped when life got busy) is actually still relevant to me. It is set in the not too distant future (which means continuity is taken care of automatically), and I’m still familiar enough with the characters to develop it from there.
Inspired by the setting of William Gibson‘s bridge trilogy, I am evolving the story of a friendship between two women that reflects on how we live together as individuals in society, to explore creative choice in this.
I‘m here because I believe it will help keep my mind focused on matters related to writing.
I am a doula living in Basel, Switzerland and I have two daughters.
I started my writing journey around 12 months ago putting pen to paper about birth and parenthood but these days I seem to be writing more and more about me and my life. I still have a lot to learn about writing and I’m not sure where I want to go with it or where it will take me. This last year I’ve had some wonderful support and coaching from Rebecca and I’m excited to be part of this supportive network. Hoping to be inspired and reassured that I’m not the only one with fears and self doubt!
Hi I'm Suzi, a clinical psychologist but currently on maternity leave and mum to a two year old and newborn baby. Like others I have always wanted to write and ideas have come and gone but I've never put pen to paper until lockdown. I've recently started a blog about my experience of having a newborn and post natal recovery during lockdown and would love to turn this into a book. This community sounds fantastic and I would eventually love to attend one of the retreats when the baby is old enough xxx
Hi I’m Caro. I currently work as a choir leader and self-employee music teacher. I am a single parent living in Northumberland with my 4 daughters, who are 13, 10, 8, 5 years old. My oldest daughter is autistic and does not attend school. I’m about to start the Travel and Nature Writing MA at Bath Spa as I’ve been trying to write memoir/life writing about the healing power of nature, learning to be alone, parenting...my focus drifts and that is one of the challenges. Did a brilliant Arvon course last year with Cathy Rentzenbrink and Marina Benjamin - it was so inspiring. I’ve written a blog for a long time about home educating my children and trying to find my place in the world as a woman and also a mother. Anyway, I’m so grateful to you for setting up this support network and look forward to being in touch with other writing women. X
Hi I'm Laura. I'm a graphic designer and a mother to a very busy, intense 4 year old 😜🙃 I studied English Lit as a student, but only got the urge to start writing when I was pregnant and have not stopped. It was a massive creative urge. I've written a play, a screenplay, short stories, half a novel and now am working on a new novel idea which I'm excited about. I'm not published and not particularly confident, but that won't stop me trying. What might stop me however, is no childcare and being a complete zombie by 9pm every night when I finally don't have a small, loud child hanging off me! Good luck to you all xxx P. S. Could this turn into a virtual writers group somehow? I don't have time or access to real groups... But would love to share snippets of my work for feedback and discuss other people's work...
Hi I'm Claire. I've always wanted to write and have never felt brave enough. But during lockdown something happened and I wrote... A lot. And I now have half of a novel. I have lost my nerve a bit so am spending a bit of time looking for a community to help me find the space to build a writing practice somewhere in the crazy of life with a 3 and 5 year old!
Hi, I’m Gail. I’m working on children’s fiction while also freelancing as a copywriter. My kids are quite young (4.5 and nearly 8) so them both being in school in September, assuming that happens, will be interesting. I’ve come to the realisation that life makes more sense when I’m writing, so morning pages are part of my daily ritual and I’m working through the Artist’s Way at the moment. And trying to fit in more reading!
I'm Ellie. I'm a medical student currently doing research for my PhD in Amsterdam, and mum to a 10 month old. I write quite a bit for my PhD, and always wanted to pick up writing outside of science but never took the time. Then lockdown happened and I was stuck at home with no access to my lab, no childcare and no way to spend time on my usual hobby (long distance running) because of postpartum recovery. I came across an online course on writing fiction and soon I was writing every evening - sleep deprivation permitting - and enjoying myself like I haven't since writing essays at school. Now I'm trying to explore what I would want to write and am slightly (ahem) lost as to how to go about that. Here to find some inspiration, support, encouragement and also for tips on fellow mothers whose work I should read.
I'm Marie. I'm a teacher and mother of two little girls (4 and almost 2). I've always wanted to write things but been too scared to do so up until now. I've written and had two articles published during lockdown (on family life/lifestyle issues). I also have a novel I want to write about my granny's life which I have finally started during lockdown.
I'm here as I could do with all the support and encouragement I can get!
Hello! I’m Luce. My debut memoir came out in the last few weeks. It covers post-birth injuries and bodies and incontinence, the wider impact of taboos around that on women’s health (and global health issues) whilst being a personal, open feminist roar of a memoir. It’s been such an odd journey and so difficult launching in lockdown. I am working on my second book and finding the balancing act v hard with home life.
I'm Amity, a midwife and mum of two in London. I have been writing in some form or another since childhood, starting with poetry as a 10-year-old and then moving onto a journalism degree, blogging and writing for various websites and e-zines. After a few years in my late 20s / early 30s trying to catch a break while writing for free and raising my kids, I decided enough was enough and I had to have a career that paid so I trained as a midwife. But writing has always been and will always be my primary passion. I wrote a memoir about my time as a midwife in the NHS which is being published on October 1st. I'm itching to get started on a new project though and am contemplating trying my hand at fiction but it feels very scary as I've always been a 'creative non-fiction' writer! I'm debating whether I should stick to what I know or take a risk and branch out. I need to just put pen to paper and see what happens, I guess! Glad to be here and talk to other writers who get it.
Hi, I‘m Agnes. It occurred to me only recently that my idea for a novel I had started to write bits and pieces for a long time ago (and then stopped when life got busy) is actually still relevant to me. It is set in the not too distant future (which means continuity is taken care of automatically), and I’m still familiar enough with the characters to develop it from there.
Inspired by the setting of William Gibson‘s bridge trilogy, I am evolving the story of a friendship between two women that reflects on how we live together as individuals in society, to explore creative choice in this.
I‘m here because I believe it will help keep my mind focused on matters related to writing.
I’m Menna and I love to write.
I am a doula living in Basel, Switzerland and I have two daughters.
I started my writing journey around 12 months ago putting pen to paper about birth and parenthood but these days I seem to be writing more and more about me and my life. I still have a lot to learn about writing and I’m not sure where I want to go with it or where it will take me. This last year I’ve had some wonderful support and coaching from Rebecca and I’m excited to be part of this supportive network. Hoping to be inspired and reassured that I’m not the only one with fears and self doubt!
Hi I'm Suzi, a clinical psychologist but currently on maternity leave and mum to a two year old and newborn baby. Like others I have always wanted to write and ideas have come and gone but I've never put pen to paper until lockdown. I've recently started a blog about my experience of having a newborn and post natal recovery during lockdown and would love to turn this into a book. This community sounds fantastic and I would eventually love to attend one of the retreats when the baby is old enough xxx
Hi I’m Caro. I currently work as a choir leader and self-employee music teacher. I am a single parent living in Northumberland with my 4 daughters, who are 13, 10, 8, 5 years old. My oldest daughter is autistic and does not attend school. I’m about to start the Travel and Nature Writing MA at Bath Spa as I’ve been trying to write memoir/life writing about the healing power of nature, learning to be alone, parenting...my focus drifts and that is one of the challenges. Did a brilliant Arvon course last year with Cathy Rentzenbrink and Marina Benjamin - it was so inspiring. I’ve written a blog for a long time about home educating my children and trying to find my place in the world as a woman and also a mother. Anyway, I’m so grateful to you for setting up this support network and look forward to being in touch with other writing women. X
Hi I'm Laura. I'm a graphic designer and a mother to a very busy, intense 4 year old 😜🙃 I studied English Lit as a student, but only got the urge to start writing when I was pregnant and have not stopped. It was a massive creative urge. I've written a play, a screenplay, short stories, half a novel and now am working on a new novel idea which I'm excited about. I'm not published and not particularly confident, but that won't stop me trying. What might stop me however, is no childcare and being a complete zombie by 9pm every night when I finally don't have a small, loud child hanging off me! Good luck to you all xxx P. S. Could this turn into a virtual writers group somehow? I don't have time or access to real groups... But would love to share snippets of my work for feedback and discuss other people's work...
Hi I'm Claire. I've always wanted to write and have never felt brave enough. But during lockdown something happened and I wrote... A lot. And I now have half of a novel. I have lost my nerve a bit so am spending a bit of time looking for a community to help me find the space to build a writing practice somewhere in the crazy of life with a 3 and 5 year old!
Hi, I’m Gail. I’m working on children’s fiction while also freelancing as a copywriter. My kids are quite young (4.5 and nearly 8) so them both being in school in September, assuming that happens, will be interesting. I’ve come to the realisation that life makes more sense when I’m writing, so morning pages are part of my daily ritual and I’m working through the Artist’s Way at the moment. And trying to fit in more reading!
I'm Ellie. I'm a medical student currently doing research for my PhD in Amsterdam, and mum to a 10 month old. I write quite a bit for my PhD, and always wanted to pick up writing outside of science but never took the time. Then lockdown happened and I was stuck at home with no access to my lab, no childcare and no way to spend time on my usual hobby (long distance running) because of postpartum recovery. I came across an online course on writing fiction and soon I was writing every evening - sleep deprivation permitting - and enjoying myself like I haven't since writing essays at school. Now I'm trying to explore what I would want to write and am slightly (ahem) lost as to how to go about that. Here to find some inspiration, support, encouragement and also for tips on fellow mothers whose work I should read.
I'm Marie. I'm a teacher and mother of two little girls (4 and almost 2). I've always wanted to write things but been too scared to do so up until now. I've written and had two articles published during lockdown (on family life/lifestyle issues). I also have a novel I want to write about my granny's life which I have finally started during lockdown.
I'm here as I could do with all the support and encouragement I can get!