during early matrescence with my first baby – a seismic shift in identity coupled with the covid-19 pandemic – the years were dark and bare; i rarely read or wrote. i am thankful for a baby-themed line-a-day journal that my mother gave me, as it was the only writing i did in those early years. i’m convinced that if she hadn't given me it i wouldn’t have written at all. i wasn't even aware that the lines i was writing each day had become a form of creativity, a dedication to a new mother-writing practice.
my second baby was around five months old when my creativity properly found me again, and i felt completely overwhelmed by how much nourishing it needed. i was so desperate to catch up on the years i’d wasted: i wanted to record the newborn days in more detail, read all the work i could find by and about mothers and share in circles with other mothers, especially mother writers. it was already a few years after the covid pandemic and online courses were more popular than ever, so i was able to join some writing and reading groups that i sorely missed out on during lockdown with my first baby, now a toddler. i envied all the first-time mothers on the calls with me. i’m certain that these courses would have helped pull me out of the gloom of postnatal depression during lockdown. they found me late – a pleasant encounter after i’d thought up motherlore magazine – but thank the moon they did find me and that i was able to attend.
it may be that you want to start or re-start a regular writing practice but can't commit to a course right now – maybe you work in the mornings and are too tired by the evenings when most courses take place. if this is you, feel free to skip over the courses i describe below until you reach my five writing practice tips.
below are five current online writing courses on motherhood. the first three run weekly over a period of six to eight weeks. the final two are one-off sessions taking place in june and july. some are solely for mothers of young babies and some for those of any age, while others are for (m)others without children, those who are not mothers “in the most obvious way we like to socially define it” –
course one
mothershipwriters.com / instagram @mothershipwriters
eight-week course, mornings
writer and mother emylia hall runs this warm writing course on early motherhood with general writing practices and advice. it’s a gentle and supportive course, with no writing experience necessary. the highlight for me was hearing other participants share their writing. a great introduction to writing early motherhood.
“Workshops are designed for mums with babies aged two or under; here you'll explore your experience of new motherhood, find confidence in the power of your own voice, and learn the fundamentals of creative writing. Our workshops are a friendly and safe space where you can make connections and share stories – and fall in love with writing.”
course two
MARK-MAKING CARE-TAKING with
instagram @kerrinidochartaigh
six-week course, evenings
writer and mother kerri ní dochartaigh offers a course for (m)others; though the content concerns mothering and motherhood, you do not have to be a mother to participate. through exquisite readings, prompts, sharing and meditation, she holds a space that is both dreamy and nourishing. again, no writing experience necessary. kerri's course explores the light and the darkness of motherhood and encourages more voices to join in the song of mothering.
“Mother is one of the oldest words in existence. A word so old, so integral to the fact of our human being but still we are only beginning to understand it; to make room for it to grow in the ways it is begging us to. During our time together we will have examined care-giving as a revolutionary, universal, mindful path. You will come away with a set of small changes to weave into your days that will help you carve room for your own creativity.”
course three
NEW MOTHERS’ WRITING CIRCLE
newmumswriting.co.uk / instagram @newmumswriting
eight-week course, mornings
catrin kemp runs this thought-provoking and explorative writing and discussion circle for mothers of babies under 18 months. based on weekly themed prompts and readings, co-leads have included liz berry and leah hazard. i’m currently still attending this course, so more to come soon.
“A nuanced look at the myriad experiences of motherhood through the lens of some of the best writers and thinkers on this huge life-changing topic. A chance to document how life really is, unfiltered, and to begin a mentally and emotionally beneficial writing practice. This will sustain you in the coming months and years of your matrescence.”
course four
PICTURING MOTHER with
one-hour session, taking place in july
course five
WRITING PARENTHOOD with Kirsty Logan
two-hour session, taking place in june
“You’ll muster your quite possibly sleep-deprived senses and take some much-needed time to focus inwards. Kirsty will share with you some of the many and varied ways that writers have explored parenthood in memoir and fiction: the wonders and terrors, the bliss and bewilderment. Through prompts and encouragements, you’ll spark new ideas, dig deep into your experience, and get the balance right between staying true to yourself and connecting with a wide group of readers.”
can't commit to a course right now?
if so, i suggest starting small:
find a beautiful notebook and start a line-a-day. the best time for this is in the morning, reflecting on the day before, or in the evening, reflecting on the current day. you can then go back to these at any point and use them as inspiration for longer pieces.
i suggest using a standard notebook, as line-a-day notebooks are restrictive; you may find that your line easily becomes a few lines or even a few pages; a blank notebook lets you continue writing naturally instead of cutting you off when you’re just finding the words have come.
the key for building a new habit is to make it as easy and rewarding as possible. if it works better for you to note things down whenever you find a moment then do that instead, using your phone if you prefer. set a reminder if that helps, carry your notebook with you, get it done first thing so any extra writing you do that day is a bonus, etc. record voice memos or dictate your thoughts into your phone if you're finding it hard to put pen to paper or if typing fast on your phone leads to multiple typos that just make the time spent writing feel frustrating and unenjoyable.
habit stacking or piggybacking one thing onto an existing habit is a great option too: while you wait for the kettle to boil note down your line, or add your writing practice into your bedtime routine.
if you're already writing regularly, try looking back over your words for recurring themes or lines that stand out for you. can you weave some of these threads together into something bigger or is there a theme that calls to you most, a story that you didn’t know you were telling?
i’d love to hear about other ongoing or upcoming courses or any writing practice tips you have. where and how do you write?
x
Such a beautiful list of resources and prompts- thank you ❤️
Sister thanks for sharing. Your truth mean so much to me 💗