"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." - Virginia Woolf
When I was working with my own coach Cynthia Morris earlier this year, I talked a lot about 'creating space' for something new to happen. It was quite an alien concept: the idea of finishing projects but not taking decisions about what would fill the space that would open up, once the project came to a conclusion. And yet - this sense of space was exactly what I wanted. I wanted to be open to 'not knowing'. And in the end I became comfortable with the concept.
So here I am, several months later, sitting writing this from my new office (pictured) on Richmond Green in London. The office is just three doors up from Virginia Woolf's first home in Richmond-upon-Thames and looks over a beautiful green open space. I have 'A Room of One's Own' from which I coach clients and I am now an Associate of the Richmond Green Practice. I'm quite a pragmatist but even so, I can't help but be just a little awe-struck at this particular outcome.
It's been a while since I blogged here (and now, with a little more space, I'm going to have time for blogging more often) so let me fill you in on what's happened since I last wrote a post.
First, I finished my fourth novel. I'm tremendously excited at that, and this has of course opened up a lot of space in my diary. I'm now waiting for my agent's response and am focussing on taking the business forwards and introducing more in-person coaching to my practice. Other aspects of the 'creating space' theme, included graduating from CoachU my coach training school. And also reducing the number of literary consultancy clients I take on, by building up a team of consultants. I was determined to have a summer where I had more time for developing my own creative play by taking art classes/learning guitar and one where I had lots of time for the children - but also for a new challenge. And the office has provided exactly that.
Essentially, my intention is to use the office as a place where I can meet coaching and consultancy clients in person. To offer my clients 'a Room of One's Own' - a calm environment where you can develop your creative process and get productive, whether as a writer, an artist or a creative entrepreneur. I plan to work with clients who seek focus and success in their creative lives and will coach on all aspects of the creative process from the initial germ of an idea, through brainstorming, time management, discipline, organic growth, structuring your work and bringing a project to fruition. I will also run a limited literary consultancy service from the Practice.
In addition, I am launching an Advanced in-person Creative Writing group, limited to four people. This will launch on Tuesday 23rd June and is an opportunity to get feedback on your work from a group of fellow experienced writers who take their work seriously. The group also includes three one-to-one coaching sessions, a Yahoo group and a monthly drinks meeting. Please do get in touch soon if you are interested in the group, as I am anticipating strong demand - and I want to choose people who are truly committed to a mutually beneficial working relationship. Full details are available on the Richmond Green Practice page of the website.
Richmond Green holds fabulous memories for me and I know I'm going to create a lot of new good experiences here too. The little coincidence about Ms Woolf is just the icing on the cake to this venture. Most of all, I'm looking forward to more in-person work: to meeting my clients and working together to facilitate exciting creative work. If you are based in London, do feel free to book in for an introductory session over a cup of tea.
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