Blank pages are famously quite scary, yes. That’s why I host a monthly quick-fire prompt call, which is a tried and tested way to get the creative juices flowing! I’ll also send you daily mixed media prompts — words, images, music — to use on new or existing projects, or just as a daily writing exercise. So you’ll never be starting from scratch!

As well as my daily prompts and monthly prompt calls, Write to Yourself has a Library of writing resources, curated just for you — books, essays, videos, poetry and podcasts on and about writing, to help inspire you and your writing practice. There’s also a global TBR pile full of peer to peer book recommendations, which I’m hoping to develop into a book club in time.

Then pay a visit to the Coffee Shop! In this vibey virtual space, you can you join me and other writers from all around the world for some dedicated writing time. Opening hours are whenever you want them to be!

There’s also The Den, a social media style feed, where you can share thoughts, updates, tips, advice and (let’s be honest) painfully relatable memes about writing!

Now you do! You can post your work to The Forum, where you’ll get feedback from myself and other writers.  I encourage a particular style of feedback, which I call The Nugget, and and you can learn all about it during my monthly workshop, which is an open mic style call for writers to share their work and receive live feedback. Peer to peer feedback was a game changer for me starting out, so I would highly recommend this to any writer!

Write to Yourself is for EVERYONE! And I’m not just saying that. I’ve worked with writers of all levels — from beginners who’ve never written before, to professionals who write for a living — and the funny thing is, whatever their experience, very few of them are willing to call themselves writers. Even though, as soon as you start writing, you are a writer. Whether you write poetry or prose, songs or screenplays, essays or blog posts, kid’s books or straight up smut, this community is for you.

I’ve always found the best way to motivate a writer is with high praise, and a little treat. So I’ll be hosting a monthly Write to Yourself competition, where the best piece submitted to The Forum wins a prize AND gets published on the Write to Yourself instagram as well as my own personal account!

Aside from my monthly competition, you’ll also have access to a Notice Board full of regularly updated writing opportunities like contests, fellowships and challenges, plus lists of lit mags, journals and other publications accepting submissions.

As mentioned, we’ll have a monthly writing workshop, where I’ll be giving live feedback on your work. You’ll also get feedback on the pieces you post in The Forum. And never underestimate how much you can learn from listening to and providing feedback on other people’s writing too!

You’re also invited to my extended quarterly Q&A call, where I’ll answer all your questions about writing. AND you’ll get regular Letters from Hazel, full of insights into my life and writing process, as well as the odd piece of homework or advice, PLUS exclusive sneak peaks into what I’m working on.

I hear you. Money is tight and only getting tighter. And I’d hate for the cost to be the only reason you can’t join. So I’ve tried to make Write to Yourself as affordable as I possibly can, while also covering my costs, my staff, and the hours I’m putting in. This has been a whole year in the making and will continue to require a lot of my time and energy, so please know that I’m only charging what I need to to keep this thing running.

How many hours a day do you spend doomscrolling, bestie?

Yep. Thought so.

That’s why we call it a writing practice. Writing isn’t the finished product, it’s all the things we heal, or express, or unearth, or understand along the way. It’s spending time with the page and seeing what comes up. I hate to be that bitch, but writing really is about the journey. That said, improving your craft is often a happy byproduct of making the journey in the first place.

Yeah, no shit. Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. BUT it’s also the most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done — my two books are my proudest achievements! And for me, the most difficult part is showing up.

Joining Write to Yourself will give you a reason to show up, a reason to write, and a reason to stick with it. It will equip you with all the tools, resources, inspiration and motivation you need, as well as a community of other writers, so you don’t have to go it alone. What more could you want?

Wow. Okay. Well, once the community is up and running, I will also be posting one off worksheets, and hosting masterclasses, workshops and special events INCLUDING talks with special guest speakers to who will discuss their work and areas of expertise, as well as performing readings for you.