CREATIVE WRITING inspiration
The Frozen World
Songs for the ends of the Earth
New 4-week environmentally-themed creative writing course starting 4 January 2024, inspired by wintering, survival and the cold places of our planet
This Samhain, peel back the thin veil
and illuminate the darkness…
At the heart of all storytelling, there are narratives so deeply resonant of the shared human experience that we never tire of hearing them.
Plato described them as ‘forms of intuition’; Swiss psychologist Carl Jung called them Archetypes — a rich tapestry of narrative patterns and symbols woven through the collective unconscious, offering a template for understanding human behaviour.
From Homer’s Odyssey to George Lucas’ Star Wars, we are endlessly enthralled by the exploits of these archetypes — The Hero, The Magician, The Innocent, The Outlaw etc. — as they embark on hazardous quests and fall prey to the seductions of the Dark Side.
Join me this November to explore the universal themes of Jung’s archetypes and their legacy in literature, art and pop culture, as you harness the power of opposites and learn to balance the forces of light and the dark in your own writing.
Photo: George HookerWith special guest reading by:
Eleanor Hooker
POET & writer
‘where memory lies’ (bonnefant PRESS, 2023)
Curator of Thomas MacDonagh Hedge School 2023
Recipient of the Michael Hartnett Award 2022
Recipient of the Arts Council Markievicz Award 2021
PhD Candidtate at University of Limerick
Fellow of the Linnaen Society of London
Is the 30-DAY writing challenge right for you?
You Want To Write But…
you don’t know
where to start.
“I don’t know what to write. I’ve too many ideas and can’t pick one. I’d love to join a writing group but don’t feel I know enough yet.”
you have lost
your writing mojo.
“I used to write regularly but am out of practice and have lost confidence and motivation. I need focus and a creative re-boot ”
you are stuck
in a writing rut.
“I’m bored of my writing and need fresh stimulus to create new work. I want to be stretched and inspired by exciting new voices.”
Imagine If You Could…
Make a daily commitment to your writing.
Find new focus, inspiration and motivation.
Embrace the blank page and quiet the voice of your
inner critic.
Experiment with fresh styles and subjects.
Connect with a supportive community.
Write at a time and a pace that suits you.
Are you ready to begin?
meet the creator
Hey there, I’m Angela Carr, a poet and educator
who firmly believes in the redemptive power of creative writing. Wherever you are on your writing journey, the act of recording your thoughts and ideas has a power and agency all of its own.
Your voice and your creativity belong in the world and helping writers tell their unique stories is at the core of everything I do as a teacher and mentor.
AWARDS:
Arts Council Literature Bursary Award 2021
Shortlisted for Arts Council Next Generation Award 2020
Winner of the iYeats International Poetry Prize 2019
Winner of The Poetry Business Laureate’s Prize 2018
What Writers Say:
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“Best poetry prompts I've ever seen, bar none!
Full of great ideas, helpful guidance, good humour and plenty or room to manoeuvre… What a wonderful way to spend the month!”
Caroline Wellman, US
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"A wonderful, seamless experience!
I think of it as storing up ideas to work on, my poetry preserves to see me through winter. I don't know how Angela manages to keep the ideas coming!”
Siobhan Flynn, Ire
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“A brilliant mixture of direction and freedom.
Completely transformed my month, my mental health and, after a very tough year, helped me build a new creative practice in an area I’ve always loved.”
Chloe Orrock, UK
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"Segued beautifully with my life...
Writing about and from ‘the body’ offered so many opportunities for developing reflective writing, depth, memory, craft and humour.”
Aislinn Joy, Ire
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"Well researched, thoughtful and fun!
The Miracle Machine | Writing the Body 30-Day Challenge was inspirational, motivational, and challenging in all the best ways.”
Joseph Kerschbaum, US
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“Immensely fun and inspiring!
The prompt and the writing tip would be so spot on with what I needed to hear, it disarmed my automatic defences and opened up the writing space.”
Maura McDonnell, Ire
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"A lovely way to read more poems!
I loved the challenge. I signed up to the Facebook group and I found the sharing on there motivational; it made me keep going and even prioritise it in my day.”
Julie Runacres, UK
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"A swirl of ideas tickling the brain!
I loved this refreshing and stimulating easy access course. Angela's tone is energising and playful, making it a fun starting point each day.”
Madeleine M., Aus
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"Helped me reconnect with writing daily.
Facilitated brilliantly by Angela with great prompts, clear direction to keep momentum, and the community of poets is inspiring and encouraging.”
Barry Lennon, Ire
Sign up for Shadowlands:
THE EMAIL ONLY OPTION
€30.00
Daily prompts and inspiration delivered
direct to your Inbox.
Access to the Special Guest reading.
Access to the end of challenge Group Reading.
If joining the challenge after 1 November, you will
receive a prompt a day for 30 days, beginning
on the date of purchase.
THE facebook group OPTION
€45.00
As the Email Only Option above, plus:
Access to the private FB group
and writing community.
✦✦✦ Apply for a scholarship if you are a low income or under-represented writer (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, working class etc.). See FAQs below ✦✦✦
The Process
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EMBRACE THE MESSY FIRST DRAFT
Set aside 15 minutes each day to free-write around the email prompt or tackle the creative task. Don’t worry about whether it’s good or bad; enjoy playing with ideas and trying something new.
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ENGAGE WITH A WRITING COMMUNITY
Post your piece, a fragment or just an update on how you’re getting on in the Facebook group. Receive encouragement and helpful support by reading and responding to each other’s work.
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LEARN & GROW AS A WRITER
Join in with the live events to learn, explore and share as a group. By Day 30, you’ll have a regular writing habit, a bundle of new first drafts and a glowing sense of achievement!
FAQs
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Recent studies have shown that people who write every day experience less stress, fewer mental health issues and improved health overall.
And the best part? These rosy health benefits begin to kick in after only 4 days!
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Often our creative time and space can seem like a luxury rather than an essential part of our self-care, and we resist making time for it.
I recommend writing for 15 minutes as it’s a manageable chunk of time in our busy days. It’s short enough to not feel like a hardship but also just long enough for us to overcome that pesky internal resistance.
Aim for 15 minutes each day and if inspiration hits and you find your writing groove, keep going!
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Of course you can!
The 30 day writing events are designed with the beginner or emerging writer in mind - the daily prompts are packed with ideas to stimulate your imagination and get you writing each day.
Just go with an idea that speaks to you and jump in.
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Not at all. While the Facebook group offers access to a like-minded community, I also offer a ‘quiet’ Email Only version of the challenge, which has proven very popular.
If you don’t use Facebook or wish to avoid social media but want to establish a daily writing practice, this is the perfect option for you.
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I want my writing events to be as accessible as possible to those who want to take part, especially in difficult times.
To address this, I’ve introduced a tiered system of payment — please choose the option that best suits your situation and income.
I also share discount codes from time-to-time to my writing community and mailing list - subscribe at the sign up box at the bottom of the page.
However, if you are a low income or under-represented writer (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, working class etc.), and would like to apply for a free sponsored spot please drop me a line here with Shadowlands Sponsored Spot in the subject line by 24 August 2023, telling me a little about your interest in creative writing.
Minimum of 4 sponsorship spots available.
If you would like to donate a sponsored spot simply purchase a place as normal and add a note during the checkout process.
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The 30 Day Challenge focuses on creating a new habit, overcoming obstacles in your writing practice and generating new materials.
The aim is to encourage creativity and exploration free from critique or judgement, as it’s not helpful to the early stages of new work.
If you choose an option with access to the private Facebook group, you are encouraged to read and respond to each other’s work in a positive and supportive way.
I do not provide personal feedback on this programme. However, if you would like to receive feedback on a sample of your work at the end of Miracle Machine, a 20% discount on one-to-one mentoring sessions is available here.
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When you click on the sales button above, you’ll be taken to a secure sales page and checkout. Please fill out your details and don’t forget to include your preferred email address for the daily prompts!
Payments are processed by Stripe and can be made via Credit/Debit Card, Apple Pay and more.
If you have a discount code or gift voucher, this can be applied at checkout.
When the transaction is complete you will receive a confirmation email with additional information about our kick-off date of 1 August 2023.
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Cancellations can be made with a full refund up to 3 days before the programme begins.