My Journey through We are Here to Write: Becoming an Assistant Facilitator

I have been a writer all my life, but haven’t always had the confidence to accept that. As a neuro-divergent artist, I have worn many hats including those that play to my imposter syndrome, and it’s often been easier to fail than welcome creative success. Covid had an unexpectedly positive impact on my creativity. I had a lot of time to myself, to think and look forward. There was a sense of urgency - as if the very real possibility of death was spurring me on - to just get on with it and be what I always have been, a writer and a visual artist.

I had already accepted that I was a visual artist. This made it easier to apply for arts funding, for things like bursaries and scholarships. One of these was the catalyst for my return to writing. I was successful in gaining a scholarship studio space in London. Just for three months, but even for that short time it was a dream. I made the most of that time and space to think, to develop ideas and build my confidence. Crucially, the recognition I received from this award (the application was competitive - hundreds applied) provided a lift off for me creatively and during that time I started writing regularly again. Never underestimate the power of imposter syndrome to freeze creativity!

I had been writing sporadically, an online poetry class here, a poem or too there. But joining up to Beyond Face and taking part in their online writing group proved a game changer. I finally had a chance to connect with other playwrights and enjoy the opportunity to experiment, learn from other writers and develop my skills.

Having a deadline to submit an extract of my play ‘Buster’ (a magically real story of a senior Afro-Caribbean gentleman living in South London and battling Alzheimer’s, whilst trying to maintain his independence) for a staged reading, greatly helped me overcome my natural (ADHD induced) procrastination. Along with fellow group members the piece was staged at Exeter Phoenix theatre and what an experience! It was wonderful to finally meet some of the group in person. The reading itself was revelatory. Seeing my work staged really helped me work out what was and wasn’t working. Hearing the words through actors was so different to me reading out the play myself, and again this process helped me in redrafting dialogue.

I have continued to attend the writing group and this year I joined Corinne to support them as an assistant facilitator. I wanted to give back to a group that has helped me so much. I’m no stranger to facilitation, having facilitated workshops in creative horticulture, visual art and poetry for a number of years. But it was really interesting to take the role of assistant, to support both writing group members and Corinne who facilitates the group.  

The experience was humbling. I wasn’t aware how much Corinne puts into the preparation for the sessions. Nor was it obvious to me how much their successful facilitation depends upon their flexibility to respond to the needs and creative desires of group members during individual sessions. For example, a topic could be prepared e.g. a session on magical realism, but that subject might not inspire group members. Then, it’s crucial for both the facilitator and the assistant to be able to respond to the group’s needs and possibly pivot from the original topic. It’s no easy feat, but it is greatly helped by the giving response of the group members who often provide creative direction for the sessions, sometimes depending on their energy levels and often on the group dynamic that evening.

I greatly enjoyed supporting Corinne and the group and learned a lot from the experience, not least the need for me to be clearer about my own support needs to help Corinne.

I’m looking forward to responding to and learning from a different assistant facilitator in the next round of writing sessions.