Our signature Devotion workshop, Absolute Beginners, is a five week writing course for those just starting to write, coming back to writing after a hiatus, in a rut with their practice, finding their existing tools and techniques stale, or just wanting to refresh their approach to writing. No homework, no preparation, everybody welcome.

We will look at works of prose and poetry by the likes of Wanda Coleman, Dodie Bellamy, Maggie Nelson, Frank O'Hara, Diane di Prima, Anne Boyer, Bernadette Mayer, and more. You will be given rejuvenating and expansive prompts to write from in the workshop. Unlike other workshops centred on feedback and sharing work, the focus of Devotion is on practice itself.

Topics covered:

• Why we write
• What writing can do for us emotionally, creatively, intellectually and spiritually
• How to build writing routines, prompts and creative play into our lives
• Writing with and through burnout
• Metaphor and imagery
• Originality, newness and vitality of expression
• Finding form(s)
• Working with resistance
• Pleasure, joy and excess as antidotes to writer’s block

Live workshops are recorded and available for attendees – if you're unable to make every workshop you are welcome to watch back in your own time (recordings remain available for six months). The materials discussed in the workshops are collated for easy access on Padlet. There is no preparation required for any Devotion workshop. No homework, no obligation to share written work, and no prior experience necessary.

Workshops will take place on Zoom, Thursdays 6pm to 8pm UK time, on the following dates:

Thursday January 16th

Thursday January 23rd

Thursday January 30th

Thursday February 6th

Thursday February 13th

Devotion workshop testimonials

‘Despite years of formal education, I never had as meaningful an opportunity to develop my craft. Devotion fosters and nurtures a thoughtful, inclusive space for people to grow in their writing and their practice.’

‘I have attended every Devotion workshop so far & every time has been incredible. The mix of poetry, music, film & art as inspiration makes it so stimulating & like a little party for the heart - because that's what Devotion seems to access, subtle connections to feeling.

‘Devotion has become a must in my life now & I would probably cancel most other things to be there because it does something that nothing else has ever done for me in my writing & has changed me in other more spiritual senses too. The space is nurturing & allows for everybody to be who they need to be on any given day.’

About Devotion

Devotion is a practice-based creative writing workshop for everyone. It nurtures writing practices through communal writing sessions that foster accountability, solidarity and collective learning. Devotion is a writing workshop for everyone. All experience levels, forms and genres welcome 🌹

Find us on Instagram. Devotion website.