The truth is, finding your voice can be a lonely process. A solo lesson in learning to trust the words that arise from your inner depths, with both the spoken and the written. Sort of like a practice in solitude.
For the last two years, I have actively been delving into those depths, into the bravery of voicing my thoughts out loud and on paper. On trusting the sound of my voice, the music of my words as they make their way up and allowing them to take up space, in the world, and on the page. Playing with their cadence, their placements and their meanings.
Swipe forward to November 2025, a carefully placed advert on Instagram that the algorithm correctly targeted in its audience: Me.
The advert:
Cape to KwaNojoli Writers Workshop.
Are you an emerging poet or writer?
Apply now for a free three-day writing workshop!
Submit ONE of the following:
A short story
5 poems
A chapter from a novel
Was I an emerging writer? An emerging poet? Maybe the planets were in alignment, but when I read those words, something inside me responded with a “Oh, that’s me”. Maybe it was the work I’d put in, and the trust I’d begun to find in my ability to write, that somehow 5 poems seemed more accessible than sharing a chapter of the mostly unread by someone other than me 20 000 words of a novel waiting to be finished. It was the invitation to share my poetry that gave me the boost I needed to actually be brave and identify with the idea of being an emerging poet or writer. So, I applied.
December 2025, an email “It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that your application has been
successful”. Cue the first step in the validation process.
January 2026. Cape to KwaNojoli Workshop day one. Not knowing what the traffic would be like driving from the Northern Suburbs to the South, I arrived early with caffeine in hand and an excitement in my bones. Arriving on the CPUT Mowbray campus that Thursday morning, everything felt possible. Greeted by two ladies handing out lanyards and goodie bags, directed to follow the arrows to the first session of the morning, I made my way to the classroom with a tangible feeling of anticipation of what was to come. Of being open to learning something new and braving a new pathway for myself. As someone who never went to varsity, I’m convinced this is what it would have felt like had I done so.
Over three days, we were treated to an array of workshops. From ice-breakers to writing exercises to publishers’ inside info. From author talks and meeting like-minded emerging writers, from poets to established children’s authors to seasoned writers and complete newbies and an absolute highlight for me, feedback on my writing and then, having someone read a poem of mine aloud. Hearing another voice read the pattern of my thoughts was priceless.
A panel of speakers on the last day was inspirational in sharing the possibilities with all types of writers, to all types of books. Two things stood out to me during the three days. First, a sense of belonging, and second, a sense of validation. That I had a right to be there. Because as we all know, writing is a solo practice, and that noisy voice of self-doubt can be loud and clamour for our attention. Being surrounded by people who believed in me, and not only believed, but encouraged me to continue, to actually complete a finished manuscript, enabled me to feel the possibility of it all. And that was the most valuable gift that I could have received from this entire experience.
Self-limiting beliefs are a real thing. But when you are able to step away from the noise of self-doubt, to believe in and back yourself, to be brave and DO IT ANYWAY, you may surprise yourself.
With great thanks to the Jakes Gerwel Foundation for giving me the opportunity to be brave and
leaving me with the gift of possibility.
Watch this space, a manuscript – or two 😉 – is currently underway.
Robyn Spacey participated in the three-day Cape to KwaNojoli Writers Workshop presented by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation, in collaboration with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and made possible by the Western Cape Government Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
