What happens when you give your voice a little more room?
Ashdown Writers
with Diane Tower-Jones
Offering writing workshops for the writer in everyone.
There’s a moment when you already know what wants to be written. Not because you’ve planned it, but because it’s waiting patiently, within you.
A sensation, a sentence, an image — a niggle that keeps showing up. Yet so often, you don’t trust it so you don’t run with it.
You adjust it. You tidy it. You tell yourself it should be something else before it’s allowed onto the page.
Most of us learn how to do this early on in life. To shape ourselves before we speak. To soften the edges. To keep imagination in check so it fits the room.
And yet—
we find our authentic voices through the real or imagined stories that we tell. Whether you write nothing but shopping lists, you’re a published writer or somewhere inbetween,
the same thing is true: your voice comes alive when it’s allowed to be yours — and something real takes shape.
Write To Be You
A writing workshop where you follow what’s already asking to be written.
You arrive with the impulse to write and something to write with.
You’re offered a prompt, a writing suggestion — you’re free to ignore it.
You start writing. We all start writing.
Something begins to emerge onto the page.
You keep going, long enough for the internal editing voice to subside.
Real or imagined, careful or crazy, often unexpected — the page fills until it’s time to stop.
You dare to read — everyone listens.
Perhaps there’s laughter, or tears, or a moment of stunned silence.
You hear your own words out loud, held in the room.
No one interrupts. Nothing needs to be explained.
This is a practice —
of writing, and of learning to stay with what is stirring.
The Details
For Adults:
two ten-week series beginning first week of May 2026
For under 18 year olds:
11 to 13 years – one hour weekly workshop
14 to 17 years – one and a half hour weekly workshop
Both beginning first week of May 2026
How the workshops for adults run:
You can join in different ways.
Some people start with a single session. Others commit to a block or the full series and let the rhythm build week by week.
In person — beginning Tuesday 5th May, 7–9pm (BST)
Peredur Centre for the Arts,
West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead RH19 4NF
Online — beginning Wednesday 6th May, 7–9pm (BST)
Group size — maximum 8 participants
Both five and ten-session blocks are booked for either in-person or online workshops (in other words, they are not interchangeable).
Five session blocks are booked consecutively to keep groups to a maximum of 8 participants and for the benefit of the group as a whole.
Please note, other than in exceptional circumstances, there are no refunds for unattended workshops once booked.
How the workshops for young people run:
They include just the same methodology as workshops for adults.
A range of writing suggestions will be offered, for example, audio – a piece of music or birdsong; visual – a photograph or painting; written – prose, poetry, newsprint; or tactile – anything that can be held or touched.
Then together we will write. Sharing what has just been written is encouraged, as is giving feedback, but neither are compulsory. All feedback is strength-based, meaning we will answer questions such as what works? what resonates? how do you feel after hearing this piece? Feedback will never correct, criticise, question or seek to improve upon what has just been written.
Both age groups will meet at Peredur Centre for the Arts, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead RH19 4NF
Places will be scheduled beforehand by email, phone or text. Please feel free to come and try a workshop, or two, before committing to a consecutive block.
Ages 11 to 13 — beginning Tuesday 5th May, 1:30–2:30pm
Group size — maximum 8 participants
Cost — £10
Ages 14 to 17 — beginning Tuesday 5th May, 3–4:30pm
Group size — maximum 6 participants
Cost — £15
Payment will be cash on the day or bank transfer.
The authentic voice isn’t discovered.
It’s unearthed when there’s enough space for what wants to unfurl.
A bit about me – Diane Tower-Jones
I am a writer and an accredited Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) facilitator, working at the meeting point of creativity and healing.
Writing has been part of my life for a long time — it has been my compass and companion — a place I return to again and again. This practice has shaped how I listen, how I pay attention, and how I hold space for others as they write.
My background includes performing arts and documentary filmmaking, as well as acupuncture and trauma-informed guidance.
These worlds have taught me to take as much time as is needed, to notice what’s happening beneath the surface, and to respect the pace at which things emerge.
In my workshops, I create an environment where writing can move to its own rhythm. I care about spaces where people, young and old, don’t have to explain themselves, perform, or arrive knowing what they’re going to do.
I currently co-lead a nine-month Memoir-ish incubator with a fellow AWA facilitator in California, as well as regular ten-week series of workshops both in person and online.
This work grows from the ground it’s given.
If you’d like to stay close to the work…
I write occasionally about workshops and writing.
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