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Welcome to HoneyLeaf Writing - my weekly newsletter on the writing process and slow living in tune with moon cycles and seasons.
I am Mel Parks and I have been running creative writing workshops in Sussex, UK for ten years while being a freelance writer, researcher and editor. I began this Substack newsletter in 2022 as a gathering place for my thoughts about the writing process and to share some stories and creative inspiration along the way. It is free to read and share.
I run a weekly guided hour on Zoom (Tuesdays 2-3pm UK time) for paid subscribers. I introduce writing prompts inspired by life themes or nature and the seasons. There will be quiet writing together then time for some reflection or reading out at the end.
This group is ideal if you’d like to block out time to write each week in supportive company or if you are looking for weekly inspiration for your writing. You can come to as many sessions as you are able to and you will have access to a password-protected web page with all the prompts in case you miss a week.
I also have a Gentle Book Writing Club for those of us working on longer projects despite limitations in life. This includes a free monthly newsletter and a support group for paid subscribers.
Here are some links to free articles you might find helpful:
Storytelling
A list of books about storytelling
Writing for wellbeing and therapeutic writing - here and here and here.
Writing prompts and techniques:
Writing with family photographs
Steppingstones - a memoir or journalling technique
Feel free to get in touch if there is anything you’d like to see me writing about or sharing in Awen. Or if there are any workshops you’d like me to run.
Warm wishes
This newsletter was created by Mel Parks, a writer, researcher and workshop facilitator based in Sussex, UK. Mel runs writing workshops locally and on Zoom and researches creativity in midlife as well as her personal connection to nature. She has been widely published and is currently working on a series of moon and plant-inspired essays.
It is free to read and share, but if you value my work, please do stop by my virtual honesty box and leave a handful of loose change.