Ian S

Ian tells us:

Inkwell has been a pet passion for a while now. I wanted to try and provide people with an opportunity to grow, as I have, through the act of writing. However, I am so disorganised, and as we can never really achieve things in isolation, I have needed and accepted a great deal of help and support. That has mostly come from, and been freely given by, my good friend, published writer, and engine room, Portland Jones. I must also acknowledge the influence of James Ryan (Recovery Writing PhD Thesis), and the guidance and support of Gary Miller, whose ‘Writers for Recovery' workshops have been a successful project in Vermont, USA.

Our idea is aimed at all who write/doodle/journal and wish to use writing as a means of self-expression and discovery. We do not claim to be an alternative to your chosen recovery program; it is simply aimed at those who wish to investigate their lives through writing. We do not profess to be teachers, counsellors, sponsors, or gurus, we are merely facilitators.

If you want to find a safe, creative environment, with like-minded people, please come and join in. You can give as much of yourself as you feel able, or you can just come and enjoy the anonymous company of others. We have few requirements or rules - be kind, be supportive, and keep people’s confidence. What people share in a session is their story to tell. What is shared in the room, stays in the room. Follow this link to see what we ask of people to help maintain a comfortable and supportive safe space.

​

​

Here is an example of the approach we will start with. We will give the group a prompt and we will free-write for 6-7 minutes. No need to worry about spelling or punctuation, grammar, etc, it is just to free our writing muscles. You can share your work, not share your work, take it away and work on it some more if you wish, and maybe bring it back and share it when you're ready. We will talk about the exercise and share our thoughts. It is YOUR journey too.

I write poetry, but a free writing exercise like this in prose reveals things in the writing itself that may not be apparent while trying to craft a poem. There are many more processes for me before I have a 'finished' piece. So, I nearly always begin with free writing, however, if you wish to continue with your journalling practice, that's great too.

OK, so before I show you a so-called polished poem, let me give you an example of a free write using the prompt:

'The day I realised I was grown up.'
".... was when I didn't run away from uncomfortable situations. I started praying faithfully for the removal of deep-seated fears. Fear of being disliked; of NOT people pleasing; of not getting my own way; of honesty; of being wrong; of being found out; and so much more. What the fuck are these boundaries you grownups keep talking about!? Fifty-eight and still at times a frightened, maladjusted boy - in an older boy's body. But I give the impression that I am otherwise. Still wearing masks, but aware and working hard for change through prayer and trying not to be selfish. But 'what's in it for me?' - my inner monologue sometimes pipes up.

​

Occasional peace and happiness, more than I have truly experienced before. I'm so unaccustomed to this way of life up to this point, but things are constantly changing - in small gradations. Wow, I have finally found the strength to impart boundaries without inflicting pain - I hope - to act both for my benefit and others."

I ended here after six minutes because it seemed appropriate. Without any major, negative judgement of myself, these prompts can take me to places I may have never explored. Have a go yourself on this prompt. Remember, don't stop writing for 6-7 minutes, and try not to pre-empt what you write, hence 'free writing'.

Welcome to Inkwell, join us 'as we trudge the road of happy destiny.'

Here's a finished piece which I recently submitted to a radio competition on the theme of tomorrow:

Highlights in the History of Concrete
You spent too many years not seeing my existential
prospect. I am shapeless, yet my promise aches to
be real. Whether in those splendorous sunbeams
that sprawl on lawns or that inkling obscured by
cloud and beyond your immediate mind; I am
neither right nor wrong, good nor bad.
I am a state of mind, an ever-present occasion
of dreams; yet not present. A tenuous future
that disturbs today; a portion of nescience.
Your stake in me is not now; all that you think
I know are like echoes pilfered by the breeze;
like rumours hushed in bluster. I offer a
prophecy, win or lose, like a cryptic retrospective.
I am but a vision; a dubious endurance; a
speck of time's farthest side; an inducer of truces
not yet inscribed. Tomorrow, I will be today;
yesterday I subsisted in the previous day
without risk to recover. I am a pledge, a
beautiful future; I wait in the wings, everyone
comes before me in that far-flung, streaming
drift of chance and change. Don't wait for
me, make yourself in the present. I am coming
with hope.

Ian S. Feb. ‘24
Winner of Black Country Radio’s Keith Horsefall and Billy Spakemon’s
‘Omma N Chain’ Show – Songwriters & Poets Competition May