MENTORSHIP

I offer writing mentorship sessions and programmes. You might want an editorial eye or feedback on a single story, or a series of sessions to help you through the long-haul of writing a novel or memoir; or perhaps you are suffering from writers’ block and need to find a way through. Wherever you are in your writing, I tailor my approach depending on your needs.

Depending on where you live, you can be met one-on-one, or given feedback and guidance via email, telephone and/or Zoom or Google Meets.

For information contact me for details.

THE ART OF THERAPEUTIC WRITING – Workshops

These monthly 2.5 hour workshops will include a supportive combination of writing exercises, prompts and guided discussion which build a compassionate and resilient relationship with yourself, your mental health and your creativity. You’ll be gently encouraged to liberate truths and experiences that have the potential to transform your life and the lives of those they touch. While sharing your work with the group can be an aspect to this process, there will never be pressure to do so. Ultimately you will be writing for yourself, be encouraged to step out of your own way and open up your ‘child eyes’ to whatever wants to be expressed on the page. This could be in the form of autobiographical material (whether from your own point of view or the point of view of another), but could also be fictionalised work or poetry. Whatever you write is “right”. There is no “wrong” writing!

The therapeutic benefits of journaling or writing “Morning Pages” are well known. In my experience both personally and as a writing teacher, I’ve discovered a particular benefit to writing stories using a simple set of writing precepts. Words not only flow from an embodied place, but also embrace the ‘Art’ of writing. In this way what you write will not only be of personal benefit, alchemizing the pain of trauma into emotional power, but also have the vividness and depth to communicate with others.

Some fear writing about certain events will bring up difficult emotions. Following simple guidelines creates an important distinction between you as “writer” and you as the person who experienced or know of those events. This gives you perspective, and perspective helps us gain distance from the emotional pain of challenging events or circumstances. And, whatever you write, you affirm your agency in the world. As Joyce Carol Oates said: “I have written, therefore I must have existed.”

No formal writing experience required. Spaces are limited to 8.

“Though none of us will live forever, our stories can. As long as one soul remains who can tell the story, the greater forces of love, mercy, generosity, and strength are continuously called into the world.”
~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Details:
Starting January 5, 2025
Tree of Life Centre in Hove, East Sussex, UK, £30
Contact me for more details or go here to the Tree of Life website for the next dates. If you are not sure these workshops are for you, contact me for a ‘taster’ price.

Note: I also plan to be holding these workshops monthly via Zoom or Google Meet – let me know if you are interested.)

DIVING INTO STORY WORKSHOP

Monthly writing workshops held at the Tree of Life Centre in Hove, UK – Note: Temporarily suspended

We all have a story to tell, and our stories matter. Stories give us the chance to be heard, stories help us find out who we really are; stories connect us to others and perhaps stories help the world become whole.

These monthly three-hour workshops will support you to discover the exhilaration and power of writing without preconceived ideas about what you should be writing or how you should be writing it, a thrilling and sometimes life-changing experience.

Your stories may be inspired from personal life, your intuition or your imagination, it does not matter: you will be encouraged to step out of your own way and open up your ‘child eyes’ to whatever wants to be expressed on the page. The focus of the workshop will be how to stop thinking about writing and to actually write.

You will begin at least one story, and you will leave knowing how to continue. Each workshop will go ‘deeper’ building on the previous one, but new participants are always welcome! No formal writing experience required.

For more information about these workshops and the next date contact me.

TESTIMONIALS

“In 2012, while developing an early novel that would later evolve into Unbroken, the recently published memoir, co-authored with my partner, Mary Attenborough,  I was mentored by the writer and teacher Sandra Jensen. Her perceptive guidance, editorial precision, and deep understanding of narrative voice profoundly shaped my work. The techniques, insights, and encouragement she offered have continued to inform my writing. I extend my lasting gratitude.”
Michael Gallagher

“Sandra helped me to believe in myself and my writing, her encouragement and advice helped me to express myself through my writing both personally and now professionally. I am now a professional writer and that wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for Sandra’s help and guidance.”
Damien Pestell

“I have been writing as part of my job for many years, yet it seemed I could never “just write”.  What amazed me most about this workshop was that without much drama, it gently pushed me into just doing it. It was the ride of my life!”
Anka Suckow 

“It is not too much to say that the writing retreat has changed my life.”
Gabriele Stehle

“For me the writing process with Sandra was pure magic. We take what is very ordinary, that which I would normally discard, and turn it into pure gold. It has helped me to stop thinking about writing and to become a writer.’
Andrew Fawcett

“The  workshop enabled me to re-enter an almost forgotten ‘place’ of wonder and luminosity. I felt that each of us was given exactly what we needed in terms of encouragement and guidance and the space to listen to ourselves and each other. The weekend was intense and enjoyable and completely revelatory. I loved it!”
Rosemary Taylor