Neil

Neil Baker

Why write? It’s a simple question, but I don’t have a simple answer. It’s like asking ‘why eat?’ ‘why sleep?’ or why ‘breathe?’ I could survive many weeks without eating, several days without sleeping, and a few minutes without breathing. But eventually my mind would snap, my body would shut down.

I don’t know enough about biology to explain the process, but the result would be inevitable. So I put my trust in eating, sleeping and breathing.
I write in the same spirit. Most days – every day, ideally – I pick up a pen and write. There’s plenty of scientific evidence to confirm the physical, mental and general well-being benefits of this regular writing practice. But I would do it anyway. I know that it makes my life more interesting, more rewarding and more meaningful.

So I put my trust in writing. I’ve worked as a professional writer for over 25 years, producing journalism, fiction, poetry and copywriting; I’ve performed my words on the stage and on the street; I’ve consulted with organisations large and small about how they use words and language. I’ve done all of these things with varying degrees of financial reward, creative success and personal satisfaction. But the one kind of writing that has always sustained me is my daily writing practice.

At Riverheart, I want to share my enthusiasm for writing as a creatively rewarding, self-nurturing practice. Writing in this spirit is not about getting published, producing better novels, or improving your poetry and short stories – although a regular writing practice that better connects you to your self and the world around you will help with all these things. And it’s not for ‘advanced writers’ or ‘intermediate writers’ or ‘total novices’ – it’s for anyone and everyone who wants a safe, supportive and playful opportunity to experiment with writing practice and discover what it might bring to their daily lives. 

Neil

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Neil Baker is a writer and workshop leader with 25 years’ experience of helping people to tell their stories, share their ideas and make connections. Neil has been a writer in residence at The London Community Foundation, an Associate Poet with the Wise Words Festival, and an adviser on words and language to a wide range of organisations – from grassroots charities to the UK government. Neil is a board member of writers’ organisation 26, which exists to inspire a greater love of words, in business and in life. He’s also a member of Lapidus, the writing for wellbeing organisation, and a partner in Dark Angels, which trains writers around the world.
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