I can only hope that my 8 year old self would be proud of the 22 year old she has become.
Back in primary school, creative writing was my favourite lesson and today it remains a huge part of my life. Most recently, I have published a poetry collection dedicated to my ongoing recovery from an eating disorder, which is accompanied by an audio play that follows as I attempt to transition out of 'anorexia' and into 'Alice'.
My work has also been published in anthologies that celebrate the voices of young writers and showcase a plethora of different writing styles and talent. I worked particularly closely with the books that were published as a product of the writing group I attend in Saffron Walden. In 2019, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into the nerve-wracking challenge of poetry recital at the Creative Walden: Writers' Room book launch. Fast forward a couple of years and I was given the privilege of helping to edit the submissions for the group's second book. Similarly, I was designated the task of proof-reading and co-writing my Grandparent's memoirs, which were successfully published at the end of 2021. I am a newly recruited supervisor for Creative Walden's early writing group, and of course remain an avid participant of the later session. I am also excited to say that I have just launched a writer's group at the primary school I work at for Year 2 pupils, aged 6-7.
On the evening of 16th March 2022, the play 'ALICE' was premiered at the launch of my debut poetry book 'the girl who decided to go for it', held at Fairycroft House in Saffron Walden, followed by recitals from myself and other creatives. It was an honour to share my writing with an audience of over one hundred and initiate open conversations around the reality of what living with mental illness can look like, to both suffer from and recover from.
I have since spoken on BBC Essex about the first of 'the girl who decided to go on tour' events that I am hosting with Mind in West Essex, in which we held an intimate Q&A session in Dunmow for service users and those who work within the charity.
I am pleased to announce that I am currently working on a long form project, which I look forward to sharing more of as I go.