A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a creative writing workshop in White City at The Black Farmer, hosted by David Asante, a Songwriter and the creator of the Song Seed Experience.
I arrived without any particular expectation. I wasn't there to produce something extraordinary or leave with a finished piece of writing. I simply wanted to spend a few hours writing poetry, exploring music, and giving myself permission to think creatively.
Writing has always formed a quiet but significant part of my practice. Sometimes it begins as a sentence scribbled down after an idea arrives unexpectedly in the shower. Sometimes it's pages of journalling to untangle thoughts, or simply a way of working through the logistical challenges that come with making art. Long before a piece exists physically, it often exists first as words.
When I was younger, I wrote poetry constantly. Like many things, life became busier and I found excuses not to make time for it. Creative writing slowly became something I admired from a distance rather than something I actively practised.
This workshop reminded me just how important it is to create space for thought.
We began with a single word. From there, each of us explored the associations it carried. Those individual responses gradually expanded into poems before opening into a wider conversation between the group. What struck me most was how one simple prompt could lead every person somewhere completely different.
As the workshop unfolded, those conversations evolved into collaboratively writing a song.
A lyric sparked another thought. A conversation suggested a rhythm. Once we had the foundations of the song, the group instinctively began imagining what it might actually sound like. We explored different genres before settling on a shared vision, recording sounds on our phones and playing them simultaneously to create an improvised soundscape.
Perhaps the greatest takeaway wasn't the poem or the song, but the people.
There was something incredibly refreshing about spending an afternoon with a room full of strangers who were willing to be open, curious and vulnerable. Conversations flowed effortlessly, ideas were generously shared, and the workshop naturally continued long after the formal session had finished. We stayed talking together, exchanging stories, perspectives and experiences that made the afternoon feel less like a class and more like a creative community.
As an artist, I'm constantly reminded that creativity rarely exists in isolation. Sometimes all we need is permission to slow down, sit with our thoughts, and allow an idea to develop without rushing towards an outcome.
I'll certainly be making more time to write again.
The next creative writing workshop takes place on 1st September. If you're looking for an afternoon that encourages creativity, conversation and collaboration, I'd highly recommend it.
For more information or to book a place, send David a message.
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