Budding Writing continues until 20th May – do join us!

Lapidus scotland is offering a series of twenty stand-alone writing for well-being workshops on zoom from 1st to 20th May – 9am UK-time. This could be a good way to enhance and grow your daily writing practice.

Facilitators include: Andy Jackson, Antje Bothin, Catherine Eunson, Christie Williamson, Elaine Konopka, Helen Boden, J L Williams, John Glenday, Kathryn Koromilas, Karen Macfarlane, Ken Cockburn, Lesley O’Brien, Lorna Hill, Mandy Haggith, Full programme and booking information here

John Glenday facilitated the Budding Writers’ workshop on the 3rd May starting with this poem by Derek Mahon:

How should I not be glad to contemplate
the clouds clearing beyond the dormer window
and a high tide reflected on the ceiling?
There will be dying, there will be dying,
but there is no need to go into that.
The poems flow from the hand unbidden
and the hidden source is the watchful heart.
The sun rises in spite of everything
and the far cities are beautiful and bright.
I lie here in a riot of sunlight
watching the day break and the clouds flying.
Everything is going to be all right.

And John stimulated our writing and reflection on perspective with this image by Escher:

Letting Go continues Our Next Event – On Wednesday 24th June there will be a Letting Go Symposium in Stirling – live and on zoom.

Image credit: ‘The Jump’ by Louise Humphrey

Now the Online Writers-in-Residence (OWRs) have finished their readings and workshops, we’re compiling an anthology featuring work on the theme of Letting Go by them and the workshop participants.   The anthology will be launched at a Round Table event on Wednesday 24 June 2026, 10.30–15.30, at The Barracks, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ, and online. This gathering brings together the four OWRs – Moira Forsyth, Sukhema Butler, Anna Levin and Sandra Ireland – to reflect on the project, on the idea of ‘Letting Go’, and on older people’s creativity more generally.   Free or by donation – please book via Eventbrite

Linda France‘s Writing Hours Friday 14th May 4 to 5pm I find the New Moon Writing Hour with Linda on zoom a boost to my commitment to free-write everyday. . I also recommend Linda’s Startlings, which are rich with ideas, books, and reflections on her life as a writer. She reaches out to other writers and readers inviting comments and seeking mutual inspiration. Her April Startling was about the “Curlew Moon” which includes this image below.

Linda France‘s Writing Hours Thursday 14th May 4 to 5pm

The Poet’s Way Saturday 9th May from 5:15 to 9pm

Tell it Slant – Friday 29th May 2026 7 p.m. to 9.30 ish

at Locavore Govanhill 349 Victoria Road, Glasgow G42 7SA

Open mic with Carla Woodburn and Christie Williamson. Share your poems, new or old. It’s a relaxed night, with a byob policy and tea and coffee available to buy from Locavore. Cake too! All welcome.

Active Hope for Humanity

12 June, 2026 – 19 June, 2026

Led by: Smritiratna, Sukhema, Candradhi, Amayaraja

Seeing the dangers confronting humankind these days, we can feel depressed, demoralised and helpless to avert disaster – or even to talk about such feelings. This retreat provides a space to talk about and to explore an extraordinary sequence of reflections and communal practices that can rekindle an ‘active hope’ and vision for humanity. 

The retreat takes its title from a book called Active Hope co-authored by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnston. Having studied Buddhism, Joanna went on to develop this sequence of exercises and reflections to help us move from despair to hope. Such hope is far more than something vague and passive, it’s creating a vision for humanity, a future which we can contribute to and actively help bring about.

The retreat will be focused around Joanna Macy’s workshop exercises ‘the spiral of the work that reconnects’. Each day will include meditation and movement to help us assimilate and process what is stirred by the workshops. There will also be periods of silence overnight. No prior experience will be assumed and all necessary tuition will be provided. 

Poem of the Month

Each month at the end of my newsletter, I would like to publish a poem or flash fiction related in some way to writing for well-being. Please send me your writing on a theme of budding . . . Here’s a sweet scented poem by Nidhi Mishra that I found on the web:

I’m a Budding Flower

I’m a budding flower

Upon me myriad adversities shower,

All those woes silently I endure

Having faith that one day I’ll bloom; for sure.

I’m a budding flower

To me, the blossoms empower,

Exhibiting; just as blooming we’re sowing

Struggling is a part of growing!

The writer I publish can choose a free copy of one of PlaySpace Publications

onwards with pens and pencils poised.