Writing

‘I am energised and come alive when I am writing and journaling. Over the years I have filled the pages of 100+ journals. Life has been a series of adventures and challenges but creativity has remained a mainstream force of my life. I am a bookaholic and see writers of all genres as part of my natural tribe.’

Jackee’s journal writing has developed into a practice that supports her emotional, creative and psychological well-being.

If there is one thing in life that I know how to do and have a practice of doing regularly, it’s how to write. I have been journaling for over 30 years and been writing Morning pages (a practice of quickly writing three pages of your uncensored thoughts and feelings first thing in the morning) for well over 15 years.

Writing is at the heart of my work as a coach and trainer and is one way I get present to the moment in any given day.

My personal writing helps me make sense of myself on the inside and my professional writing is how I express my internal self to the external world, through my work and connection with others. Both work in service to the other.

I’ve published creative workbooks for numerous training programmes and I love the challenge of creating a workbook from scratch and seeing it in it’s finished form. I share my knowledge and love of writing to support writers in a number of ways.

I work with writers to:

• Get past writers block
• Develop the writing habit which means knowing how to get writing in the first place
• Find your true writing voice and writing path - not everyone needs to be a bestselling author to be great.
• Bring order and sense to your ideas
• Coaching and mentoring to support individuals to complete your writing projects

To overcome fear of the blank page and to keep your pen moving I suggest:

• Jot down a single word or simple sentence that feels meaningful.  Let this be enough when you are beginning.
• Write down observations. Note your response to what’s happening around and inside of you.
• Use journal prompts. This practice can help ease anxiety that may surface when faced with the blank page.
•  Write as fast as you can. Outrun your inner critic, and disregard concerns about grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. The point is to get your thoughts down onto paper.
• Make a list. Sometimes this will feel more manageable than writing a complete narrative. If you like, you can return to the list later on to further flesh out ideas there.
•  Draw and doodle. Try anything that allows you to engage with that blank page.

I often incorporate writing for wellbeing in my personal life as well as in my work as a coach and coach supervisor, and in facilitation of creative writing workshops and retreats

Testimonial:

There comes a time in almost every writers working life when the muse is silent and the words just won’t come. The reasons for this are myriad – in my case it was a lost book deal – but whatever the reason, writers block is the most terrible thing that can beset an author; it feels as if one is in a dark tunnel that cant be escaped. There are numerous books and websites that purport to cure this – but they simply didn’t work for me; instead some made me feel even worse. Instead my partner suggested a creative writing workshop facilitated by coach Jackee Holder.

The workshop and the subsequent coaching sessions with Jackee saved my writing life. Jackee helped me to jump start my creativity and reconnect with the sheer joy of writing. Her philosophy is to help you ‘to get out of your own way’. That is to help you to remove the obstacles – emotional and practical – that are stopping you from writing. Her methods are diverse and are relevant to all kinds of literature whether you are a playwright, novelist or non-fiction writer. 

Jackee’s methods are relevant to other creative disciplines such as dance, music, or film-making. Working with Jackee is an investment in your creative future, because she provides you with insights and skills that you will be able to use your whole life.

Andrea Stuart, Author of ‘Sugar in the Blood

 

Visit the Resources page where you’ll find writing stuff you can download and check the events page for regular updates on courses and events.

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