“I feel like sharing the good news about my dissertation with you.
The dissertation, awarded 88/100, was titled Righting the Wrongs of Dayton: International Human Rights Law Practice Relating to Ethnic Discrimination in post-Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was based on analytical legal research into the issue and driven by my exploration of ethnic (and/or my own) identity in the Bosnian framework.
I still firmly believe that had I not taken part in the DOTWW course in autumn 2019, I might not have discovered my desire to go back to uni.” (Mirela Macinnes, Crieff, May 2021)
“I found the course (Autumn, 2019) inspiring and uplifting. It was great fun while also encouraging me to look deeper within myself. Angela is a warm and welcoming facilitator and it was great to connect with the other participants. I thoroughly recommend the course to anyone who enjoys the written word. You do not have to be an aspiring novelist to benefit.” Lynne Crow (Dunning, Perthshire, 2020)
“For me, writing is a ‘painstakingly slow process of separating the impurities and sweetening the essence to achieve the perfect consistency’. This sentence transpired during the DOTWW Level 1, Initiation course I attended in autumn 2019.
I did not know what to expect from the two days under Angela’s guidance, but hoped that she might share a few more nuggets of the ancient far-eastern wisdom revealed in the proprioceptive writing sessions that I began attending in the summer.
What I came away with at the end of the two days were heaps of rewards from making connections with like-minded people, receiving numerous affirmations and finding a way to face my demons. Thanks to the support of the other participants, I went from DREAD to DARED; their encouragement and Angela’s advice gave me the confidence to be myself and to view my creative monsters not as evil creatures, but as guiding spirits. The combination of these elements gave me the greatest gift of all – my writing voice.
I discovered it while completing the tasks that were part of the course and found it manifesting itself first in my LinkedIn profile summary, then in my personal statement for a place on a postgraduate course. Owing to Angela’s initiation I am now able to tap into my creativity and trust that once awoken this single most powerful source of energy within me will be the guiding force in writing at least my first dissertation, if not some literary work. Mirela Macinnes (Crieff, Perthshire, 2019)
I didn’t really know what to expect of the DOTWW first-level course (October 27 & November 10) but found the two days great fun, challenging and thrilling. To be invited to step out of my comfort zone in such company was a marvellous experience.” Gillian Gilchrist (Scone, Perthshire, 2019)
“I had always thought about writing about my experience as the wife of a Lighthouse Keeper during the 1960’s, but had no idea how to begin. I found an advertisement in the local Co-op, offering help and advice, phoned the number – and found Angela, who lived only a short distance away. We met and discussed my thoughts, and she encouraged me to begin, especially as there had been a lot of interest in Scottish lighthouses in recent years.
My husband, Ian, and I spent three idyllic months on Little Ross, a small island seven miles from Kirkcudbright, after we were married in the Spring of 1960. There were only two other people there, the Principal Lighthouse keeper and his wife, some grazing sheep, puffins, terns, seagulls in abundance – and about a million rabbits! There was no electricity, the light worked by pressure of paraffin, house lighting was by Tilley lamp – and there was a dry toilet situated outside our house. I was aware of these inconveniences, but it took me quite some time to get used to them.
In the June of that year, Ian having been on Little Ross for two and a half years, we were transferred to Neist Point, the most westernly point of the Isle of Skye. We discovered again that it did not have electricity – but it did have a bathroom, about which I was delighted!
I had a story to tell and Angela gently – and sometimes not so gently – cajoled and encouraged me with my writing. I know that, although I wanted to do it, I would never have known how to begin…. and go on, without Angela’s help. I now have my book finished: LIGHTHOUSE DAYS – the memories of a Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife.
If YOU have a story inside, longing to express it but not knowing “How”, Angela is your “Angel”.” Isabel Summers (Blairgowrie, Perthshire, 2019)
“I had one goal in terms of expectations and that, after a career in politics, was to regain my confidence to start writing again. I had never done a course before, and knew little about it other that a 45 minute face-to-face with Angela. My interaction with her and the other participants helped greatly in my understanding of how to plan to write a book. I also benefitted from talking with strangers about my feelings and personal life, because in writing about low-paid workers and the National Minimum Wage (for a book about poverty), I need to be able to write about my own experiences to establish credibility. I now believe I can move forward in a way that feels comfortable (non-academic). I also valued the honesty of the tutor in her positive critique of the various writing contributions I provided during the course and the support inbetween sessions.” Ian McCartney (Trochry, Perthshire, 2018)
“I came to the course with a curious mind. I wasn’t sure what to expect, just that I wanted to do it. I have learned, in my ongoing search, that courses like this usually have an unexpected outcome. I am still not sure where this is going, but something is opening up… Bring on the future!” Liona Irvine (Dunkeld, Perthshire, 2018)
“With these on-going WRITES of mine taking me to many weird and wonderful places within my beingness, I look forward to continuing this journey in the presence of others a week tomorrow on May 5. I think it is safe to say Angela, that I have now integrated this particular activity (Proprioceptive Writing) into my daily life!” Gordon Stronach (Crieff, Perthshire, 2018)
“I thoroughly enjoyed the first-level course, but I wasn’t surprised to find it difficult to write creatively after doing nothing but academic writing for the last couple of years. DOTWW provoked deep thought and sometimes took me places I hadn’t dared to venture before. I learned a lot about myself and I found the proprioceptive writing a very cathartic process. Kinda like clearing out the loft and putting a gym in the empty space.” Alison Annison (Birnam, Perthshire, 2017)
“I have been shaped in more than one way by your courses. They are a foundation not only for my writing but also my attitude and stand in life and beyond. So yes you have contributed significantly to shaping my voice. And what I mean by that – shaping my voice – I’d better go explore in a WRITE of my own!” Jacinta Hin (Tokyo, Japan, August 2016)
“I didn’t really know what to expect (of the course), but I feel it had more breadth and depth than expected. It was a bit of an adventure – exploring writing, and myself.” Jane Noyes (Spittlefield, Perthshire) July, 2016
“This was a lovely experience I would recommend to those of you who like to write, might like to write more – or differently – or just wonder what writing could ‘do for you’ if you did it with some direction! In particular, I found the (Proprioceptive) WRITE ritual and its limit of 25 minutes deeply empowering. Check it out and get in touch with the rather amazing Angela.” Wendy Birse (Balbeggie, Perthshire) July, 2016
“Ten out of ten for Level 1, Initiation, of Drawing on the Writer Within. The course has opened my mind to a new way of thinking, escaping from negative thought processes and feeling trapped by ingrained habitual thoughts pulling me down. I can now see a way forward, a way to grow, express myself, fulfil my creative goals and feel more positive. I’ve enjoyed it far more than I ever thought I would.” Kelly MacIntyre (Essendy, Perthshire) April, 2016
“What three elements of the course have benefitted me most? Recognising my own voice. Accepting my own voice. Realising that I can write to order if I have to. As to why I gave it only nine marks out of ten, I feel it would have even better with a few more participants. Having said this, it was wonderful working with Kelly, and we are both looking forward to Level 2, Exploration, in the autumn.” Marion Duffy (Alyth, Perthshire) April, 2016
“PW (Proprioceptive Writing) has been a revelation to me. Thank you for introducing me to it and making the experience enjoyable and illuminating.” Marion Duffy (Alyth, Perthshire) – one half of the novel-writing duo Mirren Jones 2014
“I found DOTWW’s first level course enlightening. It helped me discover a voice, my voice. I found that Angela was able to give me a confidence about writing that I never imagined having. In her direct and friendly way she gave me feedback that has really helped me move forward; she made me think at more depth about what I am doing.” June Fettes (Perth, Scotland) March, 2013
“I can’t put into words how much the course meant to me and how great it was to have the space to learn so much more about myself and I thank you for that.” Anastasia Foster (Scone, Perthshire) March, 2013
“Angela’s course could also be called Writing Yourself Awake!” Karen Downie (Pitlochry, Perthshire) 2013
“The last eight weeks have been extremely stimulating and encouraging. A very worthwhile experience.” Edith Cormack (Birnam, Perthshire) March, 2013
“Learning the skill of proprioceptive writing has been life-giving. Whether in times or joy or confusion, aridity or abundance PW helps bypass the ego, allowing me to ask what needs asking, and never failing to leave me in a better state of soul. Angela is a talented guide and challenging companion; she walks the walk, never asking a question she wouldn’t be prepared to ask herself. She teaches the work so that others can claim their own truth and come to wholeness.” Anne Buhrmann (Falkirk, Stirlingshire) 2013
“I can recommend DOTWW to anyone who would like to start or restart their writing, but doesn’t know how to. Angela’s methods helped me as a person (and a writer) to become braver and clearer about the messy patterns in my head. I began her course feeling that I wanted to be healed; by the end of the first few lessons, I realised that I wanted to be a writer.” Alison Gray (Glasgow, Scotland, formerly Tokyo) 2012
JAPAN (2006-2012)
“Angela has been a thoughtful guide who provided good advice in all sorts of matters that went well beyond the writing. She does not feel like a teacher but more like a friend whom I have known for a long time. Namaste! Friends for life!” Alena Eckelman (Germany-Wakayama, Japan)- travel writer, tour guide
“Thank you for the moment of peace amidst all that going on last Saturday! There’s something magical about being able to get together with a group if people you just met, but still being comfortable enough to open and share.” Robyn Minako Tsuji (US-Tokyo) – art therapist (THIS WAS AFTER THE LAST WRITES SESSION IN ZUSHI AHEAD OF ANGELA LEAVING JAPAN IN OCTOBER 2012)
“There is something magical about the organic process of this course.” Carolyn Hashimoto (Scotland-Tokyo-Scotland) – reporter
“Angela puts an enormous amount of time and effort into her classes. Margaret Grant (Ireland-Tokyo-Portugal) – teacher
“The workshop brought about the actualisation – a setting in stone as it were – that I am a writer.” Dawn Tattershall (UK-Tokyo-UK)
“Angela is not only a teacher, she is a leader. She leads participants to find their inner voice, and put that voice to paper.” Richard Carpenter (US-Tokyo) – teacher/poet
“Allowing myself to let my thoughts flow freely has deepened my ability to focus on an idea, concept or scene.” Winnie Shiraishi (US-Numazu, Japan) – teacher
“Through PW “writes” and other exercises, I was amazed to rediscover how much joy there is in writing, how much satisfaction.” Sophie Hardach (Germany, UK) – novelist
“DOTWW exceeded my every expectation.” Jonathon Sherr (US-Tokyo) – actor
“I highly recommend DOTWW to build a solid foundation for and
