The power of the written word
30 November 2023
With pens fervently scratching in notebooks and keyboards clacking, Peter Mac patients, staff and carers are in the midst of a writing revolution.
Writer Catherine Deveny has been helping them purge on paper in writing workshops held in the Wellbeing Centre over the past three weeks - all delivered with her infectious energy and boundless love for the written word.
Catherine’s own story is inspirational – she’s dyslexic and bipolar but has managed to forge a successful career as a writer for more than three decades – penning seven books and over 1000 columns in The Age.
Her Peter Mac classes have been described by participants as “transformative” – a chance to unblock and reflect. A how-to guide to expressing yourself.
Using a series of exercises and prompts, like colours or objects, Catherine teases the words out of participants and gets them thinking about their lives.
“The classes are a bit like therapy – writing things down helps you make sense of things,” Catherine says.
“Expressing your feelings, whether on paper or verbally, calms down the part of our brain called the amygdala where we feel distress.”
“So, people generally feel calmer and with more space in their brain when they start writing things down.”
Catherine doesn’t encourage the sharing of work in her classes, taking away any pressure for participants to perform and allowing for complete unabashed creativity.
There’s only one rule – the topic of cancer is “off the table”, encouraging participants to escape from the reality of treatment and fully immerse in creative thought.
Peter Mac’s Director of Prevention and Wellbeing Geri McDonald said the class will all have an opportunity to have their work published, with a new book to be produced in the new year.
“We’re really excited to publish a second book from these writing classes – the first one was full of the most incredible stories that have brought so much joy to people.”
“There was also an immense sense of pride from our writers to get published and to share with the Peter Mac community. We’re so proud of all of them.”
For inspiration for your own writing, try a creative writing exercise.