Community.

Joining together benefits everyone.

Writing can be a lonely business and so connecting with others is important. I have joined existing communities and created new ones on my writing journey. The purpose for me is to support each other through the tricky bits, to celebrate each other’s achievements and to promote each other whenever possible.

Bourne Creative

After completing my MA, I reached out to other graduates to see if anyone was interested in meeting up. Many were, it turned out. I formed a group, and we now meet monthly online and in person to chat, offer advice and share our writing goals. Go to the Writing page to read the blog and watch the video about alumni below.

Online Writing Groups

I regularly attend online groups to be with other writers. Bournemouth University’s Heard Word meets weekly and has a featured writer who offers feedback and advice. I am also part of a daily, super-early morning group for people happy to see each other with bed hair and in their dressing gowns. Watch the video about Heard Word below.

Bournemouth Writing Festival

I am pleased to have been involved with the Bournemouth Writing Festival since it began in 2023. This has included attending sessions, volunteering, and delivering a day-long drop-in for children and young people. Read more about this on the Facilitation page, and watch the outreach video below.

Allies in Action

I participated in a research project that drew on the African ‘Ubuntu’ concept to promote fellowship across diversity. Students from different cultures, ethnicities, sexualities, abilities, and ideologies came together to create a short film, while academics and researchers analysed the process. The blog I wrote about the experience is linked here, and the academic paper can be read here.

Bournemouth University

I was part of the Bournemouth University student community, and as a graduate, I remain involved by running the alumni group. I took part in promotional films, reflecting on my experience at the university and on the MA course.

Graduation Day 2024

A film crew followed me for the day, from gowning up to receiving my award from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Honour.

MA Creative Writing and Publishing

I shared how the MA degree helped me learn to write and publish my work, and others shared their journeys. There’s some advice thrown in there, too.

Outreach

I participated in a research and film project, Allies in Action (see the Writing page) and involved MA students and alumni with the young people’s drop-in at the Bournemouth Writing Festival.

Mature Student

I began the MA at 52, with a lifetime of experience behind me. This film shows how I and other mature students found the course.

Alumni

I set up and run Bourne Creative, a group of MA alumni who support and elevate each other. We meet every month, alternating between in-person and online.

Heard Word

Heard Word is Bournemouth University's online weekly writing group, which is a supportive environment for new and established writers.

Neurodivergent Books

Being part of a writing community means championing other writers, and supporting bookstores that sell their books. During the last two years, I have focused on neurodivergent protagonists and neurodivergent writers. Below are some of my favourites with links to buy from October Books, Southampton’s only independent bookshop.