Jo Cursley
The Black Dog sessions are the highlight of my week. Jo creates a wonderful atmosphere among us and both she and all members of the group give very useful, positive criticism of each other's work. I always find scope to improve the work I’ve done. Moreover, meeting every week gives me the discipline to write. The great people in our group has been an added bonus and they have become friends as a result.
Jan Lane
Writing can be a lonely business and the Black Dog group gives me a vital connection with like-minded people. Joanna's sessions offer a great balance of sharing work, writing exercises and good conversation. The Black Dog group offers a constructive and supportive environment to try out new writing and ideas, and has been the springboard for work I'm really proud of.
Rachel Vickery
It was with trepidation I attended my first class with Jo. I didn’t know anyone, had no obvious talent, and nothing to write about. What was I thinking? Fast forward twelve months, I have new friends and I love Tuesdays! We have cried, we have laughed - a lot. I have three stories published in Black Dog Volume 4 and am busy entering writing competitions, determined to win one day.
Anna Sutherland
Although I have been writing for many years as a hobby, I felt I was "stuck" and needed a kick start. Joanna's course has provided exactly that. I appreciated how Joanna was very sensitive towards each member of the group and didn't throw us in too deeply or too fast at the beginning. Each session is stimulating as well as informative.
Jennie Pearson
I’ve enjoyed my first term with the BDWG so much. Joanna is an unfailingly encouraging guide on this exciting journey of discovery about the art and craft of writing. There’s a pleasant group of fellow travellers for company and it’s a way to fossick around in personal clutter as well! It’s cheaper than most journeys and you don’t get sunburn.
Philip Smith
Joanna always exudes an air of calm and the friendly atmosphere pervading her living room very quickly rids us of any lingering concerns we might have about revealing and sharing. Careful planning and a variety of teaching styles always stimulate good discussions and you leave each session feeling you have learnt something useful. She allows us to express our individuality, while showing us how we can make our writing better toned, leaner and more effective.
Sally Crowther Burnage
The Black Dog Writing Group promotes personal and emotional freedom within a supportive and caring atmosphere. Our leap in creativity in the short time I have been with the group is phenomenal! All due in no small measure to Joanna.
Suzanne Hillier
The Black Dog Writing Group is one of the highlights of my week. It's inspiring, creative and fun. Joanna has a wonderful way of sharing skills and firing the imagination, encouraging us all to develop our own voice and individual writing style.
Lesley Rigby
The Black Dog Writing Group is a wonderful confidence booster, great to be able to get other people's points of view in a friendly and constructive atmosphere and the inspiration to write more and more.
Jan Sargent
Jan began with a one-to-one course before progressing to mentoring sessions.
Towards the end of my one-to-one course with Joanna I took the plunge and began my first novel. The first couple of chapters were difficult and although I thought I wrote with confidence I knew they weren’t strong enough. Over many months Joanna encouraged me to believe in my story and my characters and as the tale evolved so did my belief that I was writing something amusing and interesting. The day she said, ‘I laughed so hard I frightened the dog’ it made me feel that I was getting it right. A couple of weeks ago I finally wrote “the end”. To be honest I was quite sad. I shall miss them (the characters). There’s still work to do, so now it’s down to re-writing and editing. With what Joanna has taught me I know I can do it. I’ve got another book in my head and with her continued guidance and mentoring skills I’m sure I can finish that one too.
The Black Dog sessions are the highlight of my week. Jo creates a wonderful atmosphere among us and both she and all members of the group give very useful, positive criticism of each other's work. I always find scope to improve the work I’ve done. Moreover, meeting every week gives me the discipline to write. The great people in our group has been an added bonus and they have become friends as a result.
Jan Lane
Writing can be a lonely business and the Black Dog group gives me a vital connection with like-minded people. Joanna's sessions offer a great balance of sharing work, writing exercises and good conversation. The Black Dog group offers a constructive and supportive environment to try out new writing and ideas, and has been the springboard for work I'm really proud of.
Rachel Vickery
It was with trepidation I attended my first class with Jo. I didn’t know anyone, had no obvious talent, and nothing to write about. What was I thinking? Fast forward twelve months, I have new friends and I love Tuesdays! We have cried, we have laughed - a lot. I have three stories published in Black Dog Volume 4 and am busy entering writing competitions, determined to win one day.
Anna Sutherland
Although I have been writing for many years as a hobby, I felt I was "stuck" and needed a kick start. Joanna's course has provided exactly that. I appreciated how Joanna was very sensitive towards each member of the group and didn't throw us in too deeply or too fast at the beginning. Each session is stimulating as well as informative.
Jennie Pearson
I’ve enjoyed my first term with the BDWG so much. Joanna is an unfailingly encouraging guide on this exciting journey of discovery about the art and craft of writing. There’s a pleasant group of fellow travellers for company and it’s a way to fossick around in personal clutter as well! It’s cheaper than most journeys and you don’t get sunburn.
Philip Smith
Joanna always exudes an air of calm and the friendly atmosphere pervading her living room very quickly rids us of any lingering concerns we might have about revealing and sharing. Careful planning and a variety of teaching styles always stimulate good discussions and you leave each session feeling you have learnt something useful. She allows us to express our individuality, while showing us how we can make our writing better toned, leaner and more effective.
Sally Crowther Burnage
The Black Dog Writing Group promotes personal and emotional freedom within a supportive and caring atmosphere. Our leap in creativity in the short time I have been with the group is phenomenal! All due in no small measure to Joanna.
Suzanne Hillier
The Black Dog Writing Group is one of the highlights of my week. It's inspiring, creative and fun. Joanna has a wonderful way of sharing skills and firing the imagination, encouraging us all to develop our own voice and individual writing style.
Lesley Rigby
The Black Dog Writing Group is a wonderful confidence booster, great to be able to get other people's points of view in a friendly and constructive atmosphere and the inspiration to write more and more.
Jan Sargent
Jan began with a one-to-one course before progressing to mentoring sessions.
Towards the end of my one-to-one course with Joanna I took the plunge and began my first novel. The first couple of chapters were difficult and although I thought I wrote with confidence I knew they weren’t strong enough. Over many months Joanna encouraged me to believe in my story and my characters and as the tale evolved so did my belief that I was writing something amusing and interesting. The day she said, ‘I laughed so hard I frightened the dog’ it made me feel that I was getting it right. A couple of weeks ago I finally wrote “the end”. To be honest I was quite sad. I shall miss them (the characters). There’s still work to do, so now it’s down to re-writing and editing. With what Joanna has taught me I know I can do it. I’ve got another book in my head and with her continued guidance and mentoring skills I’m sure I can finish that one too.
