Find Your Voice at the City Girl Network Online Writing Workshop
Whether you’re scribbling poems in your notebook, shaping your first novel, or just curious about the power of words, the City Girl Network Writing Workshop is here to spark your creativity. Meeting monthly both online for the whole community and in person for MK Girl, it’s a welcoming space designed for writers of all styles, genres, and experience levels.
This isn’t your typical classroom-style workshop – it’s a community. The sessions are built to help you explore your writing voice while connecting with like-minded people. Whether you’re battling writer’s block, looking to develop your craft, or simply want to dip your toes into something new, this is a place where creativity flows freely.
What to Expect from our Online Writing Workshop
Every workshop follows a rhythm that balances structure with play. We begin with introductions and gentle warm-up tasks to ease everyone in, followed by writing games and challenges to get words flowing. Then comes the learning: each month we explore a new technique and theme, putting it into practice with a prompt. For those who like an extra challenge, we layer in optional twists to push your writing further.
Sharing is always welcome—but never required. And there’s just one golden rule: no self-deprecation allowed. You’re not allowed to preface your piece with “it’s not very good” or “this is just a draft.” Every piece is treated as valid art, a seed with potential. This ethos helps create an atmosphere of encouragement and growth, where writers feel safe to experiment and take risks.
A Community That Grows Together
One of the most rewarding parts of running the workshop has been watching people grow in confidence, skill, and connection. Some come every month, others just once in a while — but everyone leaves with new insights, fresh ideas, or simply the joy of having written something.
If you’re nervous, you’re welcome to just be a fly on the wall until you feel ready to join in. And if you have questions or feedback, the workshop is tailored with community at its heart. We want it to be a space where everyone feels supported and inspired.
Photography by @corinnekutz
Recent Writing Workshop Highlights
At our first online workshop in September, the theme was “Facade/Online Identity” and the technique we explored was anaphora (a stylistic device that repeats the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or sentences). Participants played with how repetition can build rhythm, tension, and emphasis in writing. The results were powerful, with pieces that had interesting and engaging perspectives of digital personas that were deeply reflective explorations of authenticity in the online age.
‘Physical’ was the theme of our second online workshop, exploring the technique of ‘oxymorons’, combining two contradicting words to create a new striking meaning.
Examples of Writing
Check out some incredible pieces from those two online workshops. There were so many brilliants ones and my head has been racing with ideas of ways I can showcase everyone so keep your eyes peeled on all CGN social media.
Week 1
Poem 1 by Caitlin D
The woman I see on the profile is smiling, filing her life neatly into boxes for consumption.
The woman I see has a box for work, a quirk of hers to get along so well with colleagues.
The woman I see has a collection of boxes for the dog, the slog of daily life broken into walks and cuddles.
The woman I see has a box for family, laughing steadily at the camera.
The woman I see is part of me, I know that for certain. But the woman I see is not me, not in entirety. There's no box for grief, or loss, or shame, or fear. No tears.
Poem by Rachel Goddard
How do I feel hiding behind a screen?
Seen, because I suppose I can be who I want to.
You know, where I can cover my fears and anxieties.
Please understand I do just want to be me.
We see what others portray and sometimes that’s only small.
All of us want the same, to be seen.
Week 2
Piece by Christina Karekla
People are now face to face but everyone is rushing
We have so little time so everyone is rushing
But with this rush is there joy?
Completing a check list of life is that wise?
Or should we learn to slow down
Enjoy the moment
Hold our loved ones close
And watch the sunset
Join Us
Whether you see yourself as a writer or just someone curious about words, the City Girl Network Writing Workshop is a space to connect, experiment, and create. You never know what might emerge when you put pen to paper in good company.
Community Notes
A special shout out to attendee, Alice, who is hosting a free writing group, NOMADS, every Wednesday 5pm - 7pm at Presuming Eds, Brighton. Find out more at 361diamond.co.uk.