"So precious and inspiring being with you and all who chose to learn with you." Herb Hahn

“I loved your positivity and friendliness / compassion, combined with running a course without an ounce of flab. It was inspiring to hear other people’s work as to have the opportunity to air mine.” David Ford

“An enormous, heart-felt thank you to you for facilitating such an incredible weekend of discovery. The way you so beautifully held the space, and with such generosity and compassion, provided us all with a safe forum to explore, share and take risks.You truly are a very gifted teacher.

     'Finding the Inspiration to Write' was the most challenging and magical two days I can remember, and I feel very privileged to have taken part. As a result, I feel incredibly inspired and expansive. And so excited! A humbling experience also, hearing everyone's extraordinary contributions. What great souls in our group. I still have a huge smile on my face.” Gina Baksa

“I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the "Finding the Inspiration to Write" workshops at the weekend. They were so instructive and engaging. I really do feel more encouraged to explore my creativity in writing.” Sue Rose

“I knew the moment I stepped into your website that I was in good company. I so enjoyed hearing the BBC interview with you. About 11 years ago the idea of writing emerged and at that point (having been told that I tell wonderful stories) I remember thinking: I don't really have anything to say! Well, I'm ready and I look forward to the process of writing a novel.” Lesley Robin 

"Thanks again for being a wonderful tutor and a positive influence. I can’t thank you enough for the amazing experience and re-opening my world of writing." Roshni Jacob

“A big thank you for a great weekend at the Abbey – I so enjoyed this great venue. It was the first writing course I have ever done and I’m already looking forward to another one. I appreciated the safe environment you created, with no pressure for people to share their work, but a great deal of support and encouragement when they did. It was just what I was looking for in terms of kick starting my creative juices after years of procrastination.” Sophie Dodgeon

“On the practical side, the Abbey is an idyllic location. Although it feels a million miles from London, it is extremely easy to get there. The vegetarian food is delicious, who knew a nut roast could taste so amazing? And the rooms in the guest house were extremely comfortable, not in the least like a monk's cell! I felt totally relaxed and revitalized at the end of the weekend.
     On the writing side, the atmosphere Anne creates in her classes is warm, inclusive and even a wee bit magical. The exercises will find stories in you that you had no idea were there. And you will cry, so bring a hanky. I have been to several different writing classes and I find Anne's lessons excellent for producing material to advance my works-in-progress, as well as nurturing new ideas and thoughts I felt uncomfortable about putting into words.” Amy Wilson

“Thank you for a wonderful “So You Want to Write a Novel” course. I never thought I would be brave enough to read out loud, but the group was supportive and constructive in their comments. There was such energy in the room and I think our group really gelled and encouraged each other. You’ve given me the tools and confidence to write more.” Belinda Duckworth

"Thank you so much for the “So You Want to Write a Novel” workshops. The feedback was insightful and of tremendous help. The whole course has been an invaluable ten weeks of learning and growing." Suzanne Graham

"The novel course was just the kick up the backside I needed. Lots of encouragement in the company of other (good) writers and always with Anne's wisdom to comment constructively. I look forward to more workshops." Judy Greengrass

"I want to thank you for being such a gentle and inspiring guide this weekend at the "Release The Writer in You" course. You brought out the best in all of us, I think, and you are a very special teacher." Anna Nagle

"Thank you for leading such a wonderfully dynamic class at Ernst & Young. I have attended a number of writing group classes in the past, but this was by far the best - even though I did not know any of the other participants, it felt very safe and I was astonished and stimulated by the quality of the output of my co-workers.
I am already looking forward to our November session!" Alison Martin-Campbell

“I can't speak highly enough of the writing course. I came out of the first session feeling energised, excited and inspired. Thank you bringing this course to Ernst & Young. Writing is something I have been wanting to do for a long time, but the fact that you brought it to my doorstep made it all so easy.” Rachael Newman

“I really enjoyed last night - I was feeling rather brain dead when I arrived, as I had been on an intensive course for the previous two days, but the atmosphere and passion in everyone's writing wiped all the feelings of tiredness away. I'm really looking forward to the next session!” Cathy Snarey

"Good exercises - put us under a bit of pressure. Some very impressive pieces and supportive comments."
Alan Flitcroft

"In the “Workshop Your Fiction” course, I have learnt an incredible amount, so much more than during the lonely struggle I have had writing my book these past five years. It's as if I've been labouring in a Hades-like place on a solitary, almost pointless quest, with no end in sight. Then suddenly, I've stepped blinking into a brightly-lit room filled with a welcoming group of people who are enthusiastic about writing. I’ve found the whole experience inspiring and uplifting and I have you to thank for making it happen.” Nicholas Mackey

“I would like to say thank you for being the inspiration I needed. I have no idea what happened to me (and all of us) in that ever so cosy sitting room at the Abbey, but the atmosphere was so welcoming and inspiring. I'm sure it was the way you taught us, motivated us and encouraged us to be free with expressing ourselves.
      I've looked back at my written work from the course and am extremely proud of it and more thankful than ever that I joined. I'll remember forever how giddy I felt upon my drive home. I sang my heart out!
      With your help, I hope to have unlocked a talent, gift and, more importantly, a desire for writing that had been suppressed for too long.” Sarah White

'Fantastic structure - every moment of the “So You Want to Write a Novel” course was filled with worthwhile advice and direction. Because of your inspirational and non-judgemental approach, you managed to bring the writer (and public orator) out of the most self-conscious and timid of souls.' Kate Bohdanowicz

"Since starting your courses, I feel like I'm finally on the path to fulfilling my childhood dream of being published one day . . . and you can quote me on that!" Joanna Thomas

“I'd never been on a writing course before I took your “Creative Writing for Fact or Fiction” and the “Workshop your Fiction” courses. I found them both really inspirational and encouraging and, above all, confidence building. The supportive atmosphere created by you is key to all of this. Keep up the good work and keep doing what your doing, sista!” Beverley Woodburn

"I found the "Workshop Your Fiction" course extremely useful. I've been working on my book for the last three years. After having had no instant feedback during that time and then to be involved in a group like yours, with interested and bright people making constructive comments, was invaluable." Robin Bayley  

'These sessions have enabled me to form the plot of the novel I didn’t know I was going to write. Anne is my muse, my catalyst - without her I would not be writing.' Caroline Swain

'Thank you for the course at the Abbey which exceeded all my expectations. You reminded me that there are two sides to every brain. You inspired me to allow my right side to emerge from the shadow of the left.'
Graeme Rose

'Anne is a maieutic genius. Writing is a sensitive labour. Budding authors need all the encouragement they can get and we get plenty from Anne. I'm glad I've got her skill, experience, personality and magic calling my work into being.' Naznene Sparrow

'Anne’s classes helped me find the place where my own voice was waiting. With heartfelt thanks for what has been a life-changing experience.' Alice Hiller

'Thanks for a great course. I learnt so much. It was exactly what I was looking for: stimulating, creative, invigorating. A breath of fresh air. As a newcomer to novel writing, it's given me even more focus to finish my manuscript and work on other ideas I have swirling around in my head. The collection of people was also amazing. I don't think I've been surrounded by so much talent for a long time.' Peter Lambrou

'The “So You Want to Write a Novel” course was highly important for my writing. I came to the workshop with a limited idea and structure for my book and walked out with a clear direction and many ideas on how to go about it. I highly recommend the course for developing your creativity and ways of thinking outside the box.'

Mariah Olsson

'Thank you so much for releasing the writer in me. I've been trying to do that for years! In the past, I was being too logical about it all which blocked my creativity. Until the Alternatives workshop, it baffled me how anyone could sit and write for hours a day. I used to write the first, second and third drafts of a paragraph and edit it in one go. I understand now that writing is about constant flow and that I should allow myself to relax and free my mind. A psychic once told me, "You have a fantastic brain; you just need the tools to use it." I'm pleased to say, I do now. And it's thanks to you.' Suad Ali  

'It was only eight weeks ago that we sat at the Helios Centre, pens and paper poised, waiting like sprinters on a track. I captured Anne’s first words to us in a scribbled note: “The aim of these workshops is to help you access the dream-world that lives within you. The exercises you’ll be given are geared to help trigger memories, sensations and feelings so you can transform them into words.” The first one was “Making a List”. As an example, she read a poem by Raymond Carver. It flowed so well, yet contained a huge amount of information. How easy I thought. What a tool. I can use that. Great! Then the bomb dropped when she said, “I want you to write about what is, or was, in your parents’ bedroom.”
      Eyes and mouth wide open, heart racing, I sat squirming in the seat. Oh shit, I thought. Not again. Not now. Here I was faced with the same old problem. I haven’t got any parents. I never knew their house so I can’t write about it. Others were furiously writing away when Anne suggested, “Or you could write about your house.” Had she witnessed my terror? Happily, I skipped across the pages, but even then it was harder that I thought. Her short, sharp timed exercises lit the way for us to open up and delve into that part of ourselves that is rarely exposed.
      The weeks slipped by as she coaxed and encouraged us to write. The characters “Trim”, “Fin”, “Mack”, “Sheila” and “Happy Bollocks” came alive. We lost ourselves in that place called the imagination. Far better than Las Vegas: brighter lights, more dialogue, more prose, more humour, more past, more present, more tears, more humaneness. Often, I sat stunned in that place of listening and heard from those who chose to share their stories, their poems, their writings. Words that filled my soul.' Suzanne Williams

'Just a quick email to thank you for saving me from post-Christmas blues with your fantastic writing course. Thursday nights at Housman's completely brightened up the cold, grey Jan/Feb weeks for me. I found the whole experience totally amazing and am determined to keep writing, thanks to the inspiration you and the group have given me.' Hannorah Lee

'Just a note to say how very much I enjoyed the workshop. Such a different style to any others I've been to and very, very successful. It's rare for me to say this, but I actually produced something at every exercise that I feel could be turned into a finished product. I also really admired your sympathetic and helpful approach: and you had some extraordinary people there, with extraordinary stories!’ Anne Ballard

'The entire Croatian trip was magical. The course work was flexible and challenging, and Anne was incre dibly dedicated to inspiring the best work from us. There was a nice balance between writing and free time, between sight-seeing and lying by the sea at the harbour one minute away. I came back relaxed and motivated, considering myself lucky to have met so many talented people. I'd recommend it to anyone that has any interest in writing. You will love it.’ Aimee Hansen

'The writing course in Croatia was both inspirational, educational and  thoroughly enjoyable.  Anne provided a range of activities which stimulated one’s creative ideas and an envirorment in which to work upon them. There was plenty of time for individual feedback on work in progress as well as an opportunity to share in the excitement and enthusiasm of others' writing.’ Gary Scott-Lloyd

'The Mljet experience was totally amazing. I loved it - all of it. I’ve been writing for twenty years and I came up with material I have never been in touch with before.’ Margaret Walsh

'I had a wonderful time at the course - the setting alone is amazing, and the classes made me write from the heart. Listening to other people's work was a joy. Anne is a great teacher!’ Nicki Gilmour

'You created a wonderful atmosphere and then filled it full of inspiring ideas.’ Jane Sebba

'The course you ran was a very pleasant surprise to me. I never imagined I would enjoy writing to order. But I did and it has given me further confidence to express myself more fully. It gave me an insight into what motivates other people to write. I can see that I have no ambition to have my name on a book, but write in order to clarify what is there. Your degree of self awareness and trust in what life brings allowed the group to feel safe going to places that frighten many. I thoroughly enjoyed your whole heartedness. A heart that works fully and freely is a joy to behold. So, all in all, a great couple of days.’ Robert Gilson

'I found Anne's workshops friendly, fascinating & productive. Friendly cos is Anne is very warm & supportive. Fascinating cos of a comprehensivity of approach: a wide range of styles, forms & themes was embraced, as was an awareness of the differing roots of creativity, theconscious & unconscious. Also fascinating was watching the precision of her on-the-spot-evaluations of participants' pieces generated by her writing exercises. Productive cos one of the exercises got me in touch with a feeling/memory very familiar, but never previously written down. I was able to use this to finish a larger piece that had been dormant for 20 years.’

Neil Devlin

'Looking away from my notebook and gazing across the blue waters and mountains on Mjlet was the most beautiful, inspiring place I have ever sat down to write. The flowers, cool breeze and total peace was perfect. Then to sip a rose or elderflower drink - hand-pressed at the restaurant - whilst hearing readings of each other's work was a productive way to round off the afternoon. Feedback from the group was a helpful way to get tips on how to improve. We got to know one another's style and that helped us support and criticise each other constructively. Anne Aylor is a truly inspirational person. She was very approachable and supportive and managed to always give me helpful advice and guidance. Her instinctive way of working and her openness allowed me to experience a special creative time. It was more than just a writer's retreat.’ Azra Kayani