The Words from a Distance workshops were conceived one chilly morning in
March 2020 a few days before the national lockdown was announced. They
focused on writing for wellbeing, offering women a chance to gather
online, to record their experiences, process thoughts and feelings, or
simply to escape them for a while in the company of others. Although we
were going nowhere, we travelled great distances together, sharing inner
and outer journeys. This book is a distillation of that unforgettable
time.
'Here we have prose and poems, formal and experimental writing, close
observation of daily life and flights of imagination. Everything, that
is, that makes us human. These fifteen writers, who were thoughtfully
guided by Judi Sissons, approach similar themes from different
perspectives, so the writers are in conversation with each other,
singing like the birds did during those strange, still months when we
were unable to get close to each other.'
Victoria Field
'Here is a distillation of creativity fostered by mutual support - the
work of a writing community transforming individual experiences into
stories and poems to share. Lockdown woodland walks, consolatory rescue
hens, edible oysters, satirically depicted departments for future
success - these and other gems will tease, comfort, shock and amuse
you.'
Hannah Stone
