Mal Foster talks about the Therapeutic Use of Writing

Many people believe writing is only for authors, journalists, poets, bloggers etc., but it is there for all and if you suffer from a mental health issue, it can help. I have touched on my need for the therapeutic use of writing since I was around fifteen years old and most recently amplified this during the recent coronavirus pandemic on local radio. I believe we all come into life as potential writers and, as that famous saying goes, everyone does have a book in them, even if it is just their own story. 

Writing is beneficial because it can be therapeutic. Writing can harness our thoughts and feelings and act as a filter for the parts inside our minds, which we may choose, or not,  to share and discuss. 

Most of us speak in jingles, not complete sentences. In conversation, we are often interrupted. Whilst writing, we can, through creativity and imagination, complete a sentence and ultimately a whole story or poem. You will feel a sense of achievement or self-satisfaction—something you may not realise in everyday life, for example. 

Writing is an escape from reality. It has many genres and styles and is *FREE*. 

You may not think you are a writer. Don’t worry. Practice! You don’t even need to share your writing. Write a letter to yourself. Invent a character. They will become your friend. 

By writing, you will discover your inner self. You will find yourself speaking through your written words via an alternative dimension. You will even become the protagonist in your own story. In a sense, you will discover who you really are. When writing, you will believe some other entity is controlling you. You will discover this is your sub-conscience, your creative soul inside you! 

You can choose your comfort zone. Explore the genres until you find the one you want. If you don’t have the confidence to speak out loud, either to just one person or a crowd, writing will give you the vehicle to move forward. You can become an expert on your chosen subject by writing non-fiction. You can become the master of an invention by choosing to become a fiction author, for instance. 

What you write will become your identity, especially if you decide to publish. It will give you self-esteem and give you a healthier mind, body and spirit connection. You will find yourself creating a strong relationship between your inner profile and your body’s outward movement.

We all have emotions; a large number of us suffer from mental health issues. There are fears and worries, even memories that cause, stress, anxiety and depression. Writing can steer us away from these and offer some much-needed respite from our day to day demons. 

Writing can be a career or just a part-time hobbyist occupation. It can be incredibly powerful when wishing to express yourself. Embrace it and remember, that writing is therapy, and it could just save your life!

Did you know Mal runs a FREE low key ‘Writing as Therapy’ workshop? If you would like to learn more, send an email to admin@malfoster.co.uk

Meet Mal Foster

Mal will be signing copies of his latest novel, Fluke's Cradle', from 7pm ** TONIGHT **  (Monday 16 May) at the Garibaldi pub, High Street, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey DETAILS

#wokingwrites

'Dropping the Habit', with former Salesian nun, Marion Dante

Woking Writes is delighted to welcome local writer and former nun, Marion Dante to the blog as part of our Woking Writers' Week festivities.

 

About Marion’s published books:
 

Dropping the Habit 

She made her choice at 14 years old. Must it be a life sentence?

Marion Dante always knew she would be a nun. She was born in answer to prayer, and she was her mother’s “sin offering”. Because she was conceived out of wedlock, her mother promised God that she would offer her back to Him.

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Searching for Love  

"Followers of the television series 'Call the Midwife' will enjoy this compelling and unusual story." - Barbara Large MBE

Searching for Love reveals convent life during the 1970s as seen through the eyes of Frankie, an innocent young postulant, and her friend Margaret, who form a close relationship, which is discouraged by the nuns. Readers are offered glimpses of harsh practices, contrasted with comic interludes, that trace Frankie's gradual disillusionment as she struggles with her dilemma: love, or the church?

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A Love as Strong

"A heartfelt, moving story of convent life that charms from start to finish."- Gaye Shortland, Poolbeg

'A Love as Strong' is a tender sequel to 'Searching for Love' that reveals Frankie's new life as a teacher after she left the convent. Readers will enjoy her naive encounters as she searches for a loving partner. This exceptional book traces the transition of Frankie as she explores her new life and her encounters with potential suitors. ReaderS will revel in the final chapters as she forms a cherished relationship with the man of her dreams.

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Former nun, now author, Marion Dante

All about Marion…

Marion Dante always knew she would be a nun. She was born in answer to prayer.  At the age of 14, she left home and started her training to become a Salesian Sister. Fired with the desire to save souls she eventually became a nun and a successful teacher and spent many happy and eventful years in the convent. 

Leaving the convent 33 years later, Marion wrote her autobiography, Dropping the Habit, a gripping, honest book in which she opens the door to the convent and bares her soul. Searching for Love is the first novel in the Frankie Danivet series and tells the story of innocent young postulant, Frankie, struggling to decide between love and the church. Its sequel, A Love as Strong, follows Frankie as she transitions from life at the content to life and love in the outside world. 

Marion hails from Limerick and has lived in England since 1955. She entered the convent aged 14 and left 33 years later. She has addressed various groups including the Women’s Institute, The Townswomen’s Guild, Probus, Rotary, Inner Wheel, Tangent and various retirement groups. 

Marion appeared on RTE (Irish) television and radio as part of the publicity at the launch of her autobiography. She has featured in BBC Programmes such as Heart and Soul BBC World Service, Radio Four Saturday Live and in February 2017 she spoke on BBC Radio Surrey taking part in the BBC Listening Project. (Stored in the British Library).  

She is a member of The Three Counties Cancer Support Group, The Kindred Spirits Choir, Camberley, and Farnborough U3A in which she takes part in Italian, yoga, walking and ukulele groups. Marion also attends aqua aerobics and is a Member of the National Women’s Register Group, a discussion, dining and reading group. 

As an author Marion is a member of the Society of Authors and is often invited to address members on the development of her novels.  The title of her most recent talk was “Love’s Journey” and is the title of a follow-up talk on ‘Dropping the Habit.

www.mariondante.com

#wokingwrites

 

Woking Writers' Week 2022

Welcome to the 2nd Woking Writers' Week which runs from Sunday 15 May to Saturday 21 May 2022.

Since hosting the event last year, the Woking Writes book blog has gone from strength to strength and has enabled many local writers to bond by meeting up, sharing publishing ideas and ultimately helping promote each other's work.

The authors are all independently published which means self-promotion is a necessity. Woking Writes, is simply here to help by providing an essential platform for them to give their latest published titles some extra exposure. In doing so, many readers and potential readers have explored our pages and discovered the work of some true local talent.  

The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine author HG Wells

Sunday 15 May

Meet former Salesian nun and writer Marion Dante. Marion is the author of three books including the aptly titled, 'Dropping the Habit'.

Monday 16 May

Mal Foster talks about the therapeutic use of writing as a tool to help ease mental health issues. In the evening, everyone is invited to the book signing of his latest novel, 'Fluke's Cradle'. The event starts at 7pm at the Garibaldi pub, High Street Knaphill. DETAILS

Tuesday 17 May

Sue Mackender gives an insight into her writing journey so far which has led to the publication of her compelling novel, 'Girl on the Hill.'

Wednesday 18 May

The bard of Byfleet, Greg Freeman, offers up four of his poems for your enjoyment, following the publication of his, Marples Must Go, and The Fall of Singapore poetry booklets.

Thursday 19 May

Lelita Baldock, author of the Cornish set, historical fiction drama, When the Gulls Fall Silent, tells us more about what inspired the book and her other writing.

Friday 20 May

Woking folklore? We look at the impact of H.G.Wells' writing in Woking and whether his legacy is deserved after what was a seemly short stay in the town. After all, he certainly left his mark, Martian machines et-al.!

Saturday 21 May

Some of Woking's fabulous independent authors

This is the last chance for any new authors to come forward and join us. We would love to feature your latest book(s)! We'll also be highlighting Woking's new independent Lionsheart bookshop which is currently stocking titles by many of our featured writers.

#wokingwrites 

Mal Foster talks about his new novel 'Fluke's Cradle'

 KEEPING HIS FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND

Mal Foster, talks to Kathy Kelso, about his publishing journey so far, and a little about his superb new psychological thriller, ‘Fluke’s Cradle’…

Mal Foster, an author of the ordinary man? “Too bloody well right I am”, he says, grinning widely from behind his raised pint of rapidly disappearing Hells lager. Mal and I have known each other since we were teenagers. We used to indulge ourselves in contemporary poetry, Leonard Cohen, Hart Crane, Douglas Dunn, Jack Kerouac, Robert Service and the Mersey Poets, et al etc., whilst sipping long-lasting cappuccinos in an upstairs coffee lounge at the top of Camberley High Street. I’m delighted to say Galinis as it was known, has miraculously crept into Mal’s intriguing new book, ‘Fluke’s Cradle’ as part of its storyline. In those hurdy-gurdy days of the 1970s, a cappuccino was simply called frothy coffee and we both knew how to make it last, and for those of us who didn’t have two 5p pieces to rub together, it was a godsend.

While I gazed down onto the street outside, Mal would concentrate on scribbling fragments of poems in a little green notebook he always carried around in the inside pocket of a well-worn fake leather jacket. Often, he’d be found at his usual table, with three other budding writers, Alan Guest, Jez Goodwin, and Sean Duffy… all four poor misguided souls had their own ideas on how their writing could change the world. Fortunately, naivete eventually gave way to reality and they all moved on to negotiate the rest of their lives quite differently from one another.  Mal though is still in contact with Jez, who is now, a successful TV chef and food resource expert who resides in Houston, Texas in the U.S.

Fast-forward 50 years and Mal prides himself on his independent author status…“If I’d sent any of my manuscripts to a traditional publisher, they would still be gathering dust and would never have seen the light of day. Thousands of fiction books are published each year in this country alone. I soon realised that the self-publishing option was probably the best way of getting my books out there.

What, if any, are the benefits of self-publishing? "Firstly, the author is in complete control of the whole process, including the book's promotion. The key thing is, is not to let your expectations be too high. Any self-published indie author who exceeds sales of 200+ copies in all formats will probably celebrate even though they will never get their initial investment back – that sadly is commonplace with self-publishing, but it’s a small price to pay for something that is so rewarding. If you treat writing as a hobby, you have nothing to lose."

Keeping his feet firmly on the ground, Mal adds, "I’ve always written for my own pleasure, not the money, if I did, I would be bitterly disappointed. That said, when a book is published, there’s nothing more pleasing than someone stopping me in the street and asking about one of my characters. It proves that people really can immerse themselves in what I write.”

Are there any downsides? “Yes, of course. Whilst I enjoy researching and writing my books. I find the editing process quite arduous. It can also be a potential minefield. It's where the manuscript is most vulnerable. For instance, there is nothing more annoying than when something gets missed during the final proofreading phase. Although errors can easily be fixed, through a quick Amazon edit, a missing question mark or a stray apostrophe can bug the hell out of you... something I know all honest authors will admit they go through. Also, after publication, the first few weeks can be quite nerve-wracking until the first pieces of feedback filter through. Luckily, most reviews I've received have always been quite positive.”

This all brings me nicely back to Mal’s exciting new novel 'Fluke’s Cradle’, a paranormal/psychological thriller that has already been heralded by early reviewers as his best writing yet...

About the book…

Eddie Noble had always wondered who his father was. His mother had died shortly after childbirth, and those shielding him from life’s future challenges were not always forthcoming with any answers.

Following a mysterious medical episode whilst searching for his mother’s grave, Eddie becomes increasingly convinced he is the person he was in a previous life. He then undergoes an enforced period of regression therapy to aid his rehabilitation. 

Enter Marianne Borg, a beautiful psychic medium, Nathaniel Bream, a quirky psychiatric paranormal research scientist, and Professor Allan, a mental health specialist who all take a particular interest in Eddie’s plight.  

‘Fluke’s Cradle’ is out now and is available from Amazon in, hardback (£13.99), paperback (£8.99) and Kindle (£3.39) formats.

 

·         Publisher ‏ : ‎ Publish Nation (23 Mar. 2022)

·         Language ‏ : ‎ English

·         Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages

·         ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8428566093

·         Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.19 x 22.86 cm

 

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A book signing event is also taking place in Knaphill, Woking on 16 May.

CLICK HERE for full details.

  

You can find out more about Mal’s writing at www.malfoster.co.uk

 

From Woking to Benidorm? Yes, seriously!

It's an absolute privilege to welcome Tony Harrison and his first book Benidorm Seriously!! to #wokingwrites. When possible (or necessary) Tony still divides his time between Woking and the notorious Spanish resort. 

 

About the author, and the book… 

Tony Harrison is a former Woking resident, well, Knaphill to be precise. A successful local business entrepreneur, he was once featured in a national women's magazine as one of the country’s most eligible 'bachelors'. He is now happily married to his wife Jane and runs a busy hotel in Spain.

Tony escaped from what he describes as the ‘grey skies of the UK', to one of Europe’s No1 tourist resorts, Benidorm, to start a new life.

He went on to buy and manage a gay hotel in the old town, something he never expected to do. Far from being gay himself, he has witnessed the crazy, strange, and downright bizarre behaviour of tourists and hotel guests. From gangsters to prostitutes, from chickens to S&M, he says his life would never be the same or normal ever again 

Labelling himself as a new author, Benidorm Seriously!!, his debut book, is dedicated to all those that love Benidorm and all those that have ever wondered what it would be like to run a business in Spain.

Benidorm Seriously!! is available in both paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon.

 

Tony Harrison

Top Amazon Review: 

The writer’s warts and all look at life in the touristy Spanish resort of Benidorm is a cracking read. As you turn each page you’ll feel as if you’re sitting in a friendly Iberian bar sharing a beer with the author and him talking to you personally revealing anecdote after anecdote, many of them extremely funny, and his personal battle(s) to revive the fortunes of a run-down hotel in Benidorm he’d had the courage to purchase.

The fact he succeeds is mainly through the support of his immediate family, friends and many of the gay community who live and reside in this buzzing resort. Enroute you’ll meet many larger-than-life characters and wonder at the vagaries, often hilariously related, between the Spanish and British way of lives.

Along with the many laughs, there is great personal sadness and heartache, but Mr Harrison never seeks sympathy from the reader and at the book’s end he simply invites you for a chat, if you’re passing by, with him and his wife at their Babylon Hotel. After reading this terrific and often funny book, I feel certain that you won’t be disappointed at meeting them both. – David Hunt.

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 #wokingwrites

(formerly 'Writers at the Gate')

Welcome...

 

Yes, the name of the blog has been changed
to better reflect our commitment
to promoting the newly published books
of Woking’s fantastic indie authors.

Meet the authors HERE

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