Write with me one-to-one
For the past two years I’ve been hosting small circles of women to write, and share their words with one another.
These women, most of whom do not view themselves as writers at all, create pieces that are extraordinarily potent. We have, with some regularity, made one another cry (in the best possible way). But this practice is about far more than writing.
This practice brings us into contact with parts of ourselves that don't always get much air. Our inner knowing. Our creative power. The words we didn't know we needed to express. The ideas, desires and truths that can be difficult to hear amidst the noise of everyday life.
And then there’s the experience of being witnessed – of allowing something that has come through us to be received by another human without critique, fixing or judgement. There aren’t many places where we can be seen like this. Some of the women tell me it is the only place in their lives where they are.
And, of course, what happens between us has a way of flowing into our experience of life and work and all we are creating, on and off the page. How could it not? You can read more about all of that here and if you feel moved to join us please do!
But my reason for writing to you here, is that I am now feeling the unignorable urge to offer this work in a one-to-one format.
For two reasons:
1) I want more people to experience the magic of this work and all it unleashes – including people who may not feel drawn to a group format or the six-month commitment it asks for. It also means I can open this work to men, while my group spaces remain for women only.
2) The second reason is that I want to write more. I am finally claiming fully and wholeheartedly that I am an artist. A prolific poet. And what I know is that the structure of meeting with other humans, particularly in this format, feeds my creative magic. It’s in spaces like this that many of my own favourite poems were born. Offering this format at a price that I hope is accessible, but that also makes me feel excited and supported, is already stirring my creative fire!
The format
We will meet on Zoom, take some breaths together, calm our nervous systems and connect with our creative selves through the same practices I offer in my small group work.
Then, supported by two optional prompts I've intuitively selected for you ahead of our session, we'll write in silence for 35 minutes. I've found this to be a perfect amount of time to create. Spacious enough to allow something meaningful to be written, but short enough to ignite our creative fires and not feel overwhelming. A miniature divine deadline, if you will!
Then we will come back together, and if we wish to, share with one another. Whether that’s the words we’ve written, or anything we want to say about the process. With zero pressure on either of us to do so. The choice of whether to share, and what we share if we do, is entirely ours. And if we do share, there is a very particular way we will be responding to one another that’s at the heart of what makes this practice so creatively liberating.
The total experience will last between 60 and 75 minutes.
This format will be offered 50 times, with possibly 50 different people, but probably not! You are welcome to join me once, or as many times as you wish.
Our call will not be recorded, and there will be no AI transcribers. This is part of what creates the sacred energy of the space.
You are welcome to come alone, or bring a friend and split the cost with them. I will leave that up to you.
I will not be coaching you, and nor is this a ‘writing lesson’. This space is about divine co-creation.
This feels especially important to say: you do not need to be a writer, or even be interested in becoming a writer. Though you might. There are no rules around that!
You might simply want a micro-structure to help you connect with yourself – especially your creative self – and feel intrigued by doing it this way, alongside me.
I bring more than a decade of experience holding deep, transformative spaces, alongside a profound trust in what emerges when we create the conditions to listen to ourselves.
I don't know what I'll know by the fiftieth encounter that I don't know now, but the urge to do this and find out just won’t leave me alone! I’m imagining this creative project will stretch into 2027. How delicious!
So without further ado….
If you’d like to join me…
Book your place using the Calendly link below.
I'll add new slots regularly and at different times where possible, so I hope people across different time zones can take part.
Please note, I won't be able to accommodate requests for particular dates or times, or take bookings outside of Calendly.
When you book, you may see several available times on the same day. Once one is booked, I'll close the remaining slots on that day and arrange my schedule around our time together. So please choose carefully: bookings are non-refundable and cannot be moved to another date or time.It is £100 per slot, payable when you book. If you wish to bring a friend and split the cost, simply arrange this between yourselves and let me know there will be two of you on the form when you book.
If you wish, you can share a few words when you book about what has drawn you to the space, or where you are in your life right now. Anything you share may inform the prompts I choose to bring to our session.
Claire Mackinnon is a poet, writer and executive coach who lives in Berkshire, England, with her family.
She believes poetry belongs in kitchens, living rooms and meeting rooms as much as it does in literary journals, and that following our creative longings is a source of essential, underrated joy.
She leads a global community of women who write together to feel more alive: The Joy-Led® Creativity Collective.
You can read more about Claire below.