Writing Facilitator

Anne leads writing workshops for poetry and prose in Northumberland, Scotland and Newcastle. Her aim is to create a warm and supportive environment in which people can embrace the craft of writing, discover its unique rewards and surprise themselves.

Anne has worked in community settings including libraries, schools and a day hospice, and as a writer in residence in a home for the elderly. She has engaged with diverse groups, such as beginner and advanced writers, writers’ groups, children, young adults and elderly people. Anne has facilitated a Writing for Wellbeing programme in Duns, the first project of its kind in Berwickshire, and she tutors writing poetry workshops at the Berwick Literary Festival.

Workshop sessions can be tailored to individuals or specific groups; Anne seeks to respond effectively and imaginatively to a range of requirements. New and regular participants are equally welcome, as are those who bring experience and expertise from other walks of life. A passionate believer in the therapeutic potential of creative writing, Anne is interested in promoting writing as an accessible and purposeful tool of self-expression for people who are living with loss, illness, pain and feelings of isolation.

Anne offers one-to-one tutorials in poetry, creative writing and English skills.

Anne is a professional member of NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) and of Lapidus International (The Writing for Wellbeing Community).

If you wish to discuss workshops or tutorials, please use the Contact form.

For a participant’s view of one of Anne’s poetry workshops, read Tim Binder’s Berwick Literary Festival blog, and read poems written by participants. For details of forthcoming workshops, please see the News section.

Anne Ryland, Writing Facilitator

Comments from Workshop Participants

Anne cares so much about encouraging genuine creativity that group tension and excitement is always high and the atmosphere sparkles. Stimuli yield a rich, ripe harvest of quality produce. It could not have been better. First class. Excellent.

Anne is a wonderful teacher who inspires confidence. She directs us all so beautifully.

Really loved the prompts and the readings. It allowed us to use the time as we wished and not leave us stranded without ideas. I will use the prompts time and again – thank you! The pace was perfect – time to listen to each other, to write, to be solo and together. Also you made us a completely safe and supportive environment – so very important.

It was the best writing session I’ve ever had. ‘Silence’ is the most fascinating theme ever. Unfaultable! Lovely extracts from novels and poetry too.

This has been wonderful. You have an enthusiasm and love for the written word that comes across so clearly – it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of your group here. Thank you so much.

Anne just says enough to inspire then lets you go. Any intervention is so thoughtful and positive I think it opens up creativity. Can we have more?

Clearly you had spent a lot of time preparing for the workshop and I think this is such a gift for workshop participants. For me – it feels like a sign of respect from the workshop leader for the writing and writers attending. Very inspiring.

An excellent workshop, Anne! Very evocative prompts and though the theme could be difficult emotionally, you controlled the ‘learning atmosphere’ very sensitively and it was wonderful that the entire group contributed. Hope we can have you back!

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