Welcome to Writing with Jen Thorpe
All the info you need about my first five writing workshops
Welcome, writer.
Yes, I’m talking to you. If you write, you’re a writer. I give you permission to go take a long look at your face in the mirror and say it out aloud. ‘I’m a writer.’
1. About me
My name is Jen Thorpe, and I am a writer. It has taken me many years to feel comfortable saying that (and to find a good answer when people say, ‘oh, really (long awkward pause) and what do you write?’)
I’ve got a Masters Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. I’ve written two novels and three children’s books, edited three collections of feminist essays, written a full-length non-fiction book, and writing a heap of online and print articles.
There’s a lot more about that on my website, link below.
I’ve been writing for many years, probably since as soon as I could. I was the dork that started the school newspaper with a friend. The one writing in my journal whenever I could. Writing lists, sometimes often with things that I’d already done on them. Writing letters that actually got posted to friends when that was a thing. Writing way too many emails. Writing poems, stories, books. For me, writing is not always about what comes out, but about the process. Taking the pressure off. Letting off steam. Writing is a release.
Of course, if I get a good sentence or paragraph or — on the very rare occasion — a good page, then that’s a lovely little dopamine hit. But the writing itself is the joy, for me.
I want to help you cultivate that joy, and I want to do it through regular workshops.
2. What about you?
Maybe you’re a writer who has been writing every day. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write. Maybe writing feels easy to you. Maybe it’s like remembering the password for your first email account. Maybe you’ve got a thousand ideas. Maybe you’ve got one. Maybe you don’t have an idea and you just want to try. All of these maybes are EXCELLENT.
Writing is not the same for everyone, and not everyone who comes to these workshops will be the same type of writer. And that, my friends, is the best thing ever.
I’d love to know more about you and what you’re writing. Share with me in the comments.
3. What happens in a workshop.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that what happens in a writing workshop is a special kind of magic. Being in a room with people who have shown up, sat down, and picked up a pen does something that’s not explicable in terms of the laws of nature. If you were trying to find a simple answer that would please someone science-y, you might say something like energy is created, and that energy has to go somewhere. So, it goes on your page, and you will be surprised by what you find there.
But what happens practically, you might be asking. Ah you stickler for detail, you!
The format may vary slightly but will be something like:
Make a warm beverage, get a glass of water, sit down.
Short welcome and intro of the theme of that workshop. I’ll share what I think are a few good examples of writing along that path.
A few warm up writing exercises.
A few longer writing exercises.
An opportunity to share your writing in a smaller group, if you choose to.
A lovely tea and bathroom break. A chance to introvertedly watch everyone else, while eating something yummy and sipping a warm beverage and / or extrovertedly chatting with others while doing the same. You do you.
A few long writing exercises.
Sharing in small groups.
Writing cool down and prompt suggestions for the month ahead.
You leave feeling brave, and having done some writing that day.
My guarantee to you is that you will get some writing done, every single workshop.
You can come to one, or all. That’s totally up to you! There will be a theme for each workshop, that will help to structure our exercises.
4. In person workshops: The details
In person workshops will be held at Erin Hall in Rondebosch, Cape Town, on selected Saturdays between July and November.
The cost will be R500 per workshop. If you sign up and pay for all five before the end of May 2025, I’ll give you a discount of R250!
The dates and times are as follows:
5 July: 11am - 3pm
2 August: 11am - 3pm
13 September: 1pm - 5pm
25 October: 11am - 3pm
22 November: 11am - 3pm
You need to bring a notebook and some pens — or if you really must, a laptop. Trust me, the handwriting works better. You might also like to bring some slippers, something snuggly to wear, and whatever writing totems you’d like (if you have any).
Spots are limited to 20 people per workshop, so if you’re keen, please sign up soon!
Nervous to come alone, or have a friend or family member that might be interested - they’re welcome too!
5. Online workshops, the details.
Online workshops will be held once a month between July and November 2025. The cost will be R400 per workshop, and they will also be four hours long.
The dates and times for the online workshops are:
18 July: 9am - 1pm
15 August: 9am - 1pm
19 September: 9am - 1pm
31 October: 9am - 1pm
28 November: 9am - 1pm
You’ll need a good internet connection, a notebook and pens.
Nervous to come alone, or have a friend or family member that might be interested - they’re welcome too!
5. Ready to sign up?
Great!
Please send me an email to jenthorpewrites@gmail.com with the subject line Writing Workshops 2025, and your preferred dates and options in the body of the email, and I’ll send you an invoice for payment.
It’s easy peasy!
I so look forward to writing with you this year.