12-Words Writing Technique
2007. After attending nationwide writing lessons and reading libraries of how-to-write books, I wake up one night knowing if everything in the universe is made up of the ninety-two elements of the Periodic Table, writing has to be as simple as that. The next morning in my Peterborough Prison writing workshop, I ask each of the thirty inmates, ‘Tell me an object you can’t live without.' Mine is tweezers. Twelve things you associate with that
object. I give them the title: What Makes Me Angry. The director, four actors, and the two Clean Break facilitators who have brought my play there, join in.
‘You have fifteen minutes to write a short story. It must include your object, twelve associations, under your title' I make them into eight theatre groups of five. Each group must decide democratically whose story to dramatise. The one I lead does the worse. The Vietnamese girls who don’t speak a word of English do the best. The Top Dog who hates us all morning becomes the MC and introduces each playlet. The guards, actors, director, Clean Break facilitators and the thirty women hug, laugh, and cry. I untie my horse. Like Clint Eastwood, ride away. I teach my 12-words technique nationwide to all kinds of women.
2020. Feb. In the Reno exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery. I offer writing lessons. Tia, Carmen and Catherine join. They all dislike their mother. I give them the title, Why I Love My Mum. You know the drill: object, 12 associations, title. They read out. We unpack their writing. They get insight. They grow confident. Maybe without Lockdown TWELVE WORDS the book would never have happened. Over forty weeks on Zoom we unearth their intertwined memoirs. We agree no one can edit them.
2023. Bluemoose Books publish it. Tia was an unemployed single mum when she wrote TWELVE WORDS. Now the manager of Gorsehill Studios she funds a 12-week 12-Words writing course for women.
TC: Inspiring. Powerful. Allows you to make changes. Draw boundaries. Because I’m taking risks which I haven’t taken for years. Caught up in the angst of it all. It’s like having treatment through writing. I’ve been going around in my life ashamed: I’ve been thinking
people can see what has happened to me. But how could they see it? How could they know it? This writing therapy is clean it is not clogged. There are no comebacks. We are looked after. There are no comebacks. I get to look after that kid these things happened to. There is a reward for it. I can leave it, the trauma. I am with kindred spirits. They feed me.
BL: Scared. Apprehensive. Unsure. Unworthy. To becoming. I can do this. I can do this. I have changed so much. For the first time I don’t fidget. I am undiagnosed ADHD; all I could think is what’s gonna happen. I was all over the place. Now I have confidence. More confidence. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone.
DC: I feel well on my way. I understand myself in my writing. Initially it was difficult. But I’ve grown to love it. I now question my job. I enjoy writing so much I want to write all the time. I no longer find hairdressing creative. I do 12-hour days. I just want to write.
On the day of these three-quarter assessments, I also cut each of the six participants a clear writing goal path, inconceivable eight weeks ago.
12-Words Course
- Twelve weeks online course.
- Six places only on each course.
- Three hours per session online.
- You’ll enjoy real attention from me and one another.
1:1 Pre-course assessment. Where you are? Where you want to be?
- Weeks 1—3. Group title. Write in class. Unpack in class.
Group. Quarter assessment. Your sacred hour. Your sacred space.
- Weeks 4—6. I set your bespoke title. Write at home. Unpack in class.
1:1 Mid-course assessment. What you've learned? Help needed?
- Weeks 7—9. Group sets your title. Write at home. Unpack in class. Type.
1:1 Three-quarter assessment. Writing future revealed. Action plan.
- Weeks 1—12. You set your title. Write at home. Unpack in class. Type.
Cost
As TC says, ‘It’s not just the writing: it’s holding the safe space, listening, admitting what you recognise, supporting each other.’
Something I learned in the rehearsal room: to flesh out your character you must identify with it. Share your soul with it. In 12-words workshops we share our soul with our true character, and with those around our table. They reflect it back to us in the mirror of their soul.
Every week, the present, we'll write a chapter of the story of your past life, while creating the building blocks for your new life.
We'll do your final assessment as a group. Using your final chapter to forge a five weekdays' one hour plan that paves your writing future.
Price
£1500 per participant.
Payable in advance.
Breakdown
3 x 1:1 assessment @ £100 each = £300
12 x 3 hours online tutoring @ £100 x 12 weeks = £1200
Why This Investment Is Worth It
- Safe Space Creation: You'll be part of a supportive environment where listening, acknowledgment, and mutual support are paramount.
- Soulful Connection: Through writing, you'll share and reflect your true character, building deep connections with yourself and others.
- Life Transformation: Craft the story of your life while laying the foundation for your future, one chapter at a time.
- Guided Expertise: Benefit from personalized assessments and detailed feedback, designed to help you grow as a writer and an individual.
First Course Details
- Start Date: Monday 10am GMT 11.11.24
- Session Dates: Consecutive Mondays until 16.12.24
- Xmas Break: Resumes Monday 06.01.25
- End Date: Monday 10.02.25
Join us for a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and meaningful connections.
Let's write the next chapter of your life together.