Poetry, fiction and other writing
About me
I was born and brought up in suburban south London, not far from Croydon. I was lucky enough to get a place at Oxford University to read English. After university I lived in Oxford for several years before returning to London, where I spent most of my working life, much of it in the helping professions. I worked for a branch of Age Concern (now Age UK) and then for a branch of Mind, and at the same time trained as a psychotherapist. I then trained as a Focusing practitioner and teacher. I retired from psychotherapy in 2022 but I still teach Focusing and do some work for my psychotherapy training institute.
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I had always wanted and tried to write and eventually, in 2010, I started an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, where I began to take my writing more seriously. It was a wonderful, exhilarating year and the following year I at last made the move from London to Devon.. I now live in a small town on the edge of Dartmoor, surrounded by green hills. I'm a member of Moor Poets, an association of poets based in Devon, and belong to three poetry workshopping groups, including a seminar group led by Greta Stoddart. For a long time I was a member of a group of prose writers who started meeting during the MA year. The group no longer meets but we are still in touch with each other. Several members of the group are successful writers and I've valued their input. ​
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Apart from writing, and of course reading, some of my interests are gardening and the natural world, language and languages, and music. I take a horrified interest in what is happening to our world but I couldn't describe myself as an activist. I enjoy singing in a local choir and love spending time in the countryside and by the sea. I'm a long-time Buddhist practitioner and live not far from Gaia House retreat centre. I share my home with a cat called Koala.
Editing and other writing work
I have substantial experience of editing and mentoring dissertations and non-fiction writing and of editing – on a peer basis – both fiction and poetry. I also have experience of proof-reading and copy-editing. I run poetry workshops and workshops that bring together Focusing (see below) and writing. Contact me if you would like to know more about any of these aspects of my work.
Focusing
I've been a Focusing practitioner and teacher for over twenty years. Formulated originally by Eugene Gendlin, a philosopher and psychotherapist, Focusing enables us to meet our inner experience and allow it to speak for itself. As well as being akin to the process of writing, it can help bring greater clarity and authenticity to any area of life. I run workshops that teach Focusing as a skill, including workshops on Focusing for writers and writing for Focusers. You can find out more by visiting my Focusing website.