Writers Bureau tutor, Janie Jackson, also pens a regular column in a well-known magazine for writers.  In her latest piece she concludes that keeping a diary makes you happier!  According to Matthew Liebermann, a psychologist at the University of California, “Writing seems to help the brain to regulate emotion.  Whether it’s writing in a diary, writing poetry or making up song lyrics, it seems to help people emotionally.”

So, if you want something to naturally increase serotonin levels and help you feel more positive, look no further!  The Writers Bureau has a specialist poetry course written by award-winning poet and competition adjudicator, Alison Chisholm.  While the course will show you how to improve your poetry writing skills, the best thing about it – in my opinion – is the fact that your assignments are completely ‘open’. This gives you the opportunity to work on a one-to-one basis with you tutor, polishing and improving your own work.  You’ve got to admit – it beats trawling the internet for mood enhancers any day!

And a final note: if you’re a fan of the crime fiction genre, don’t miss the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate (23-36 July). There will be debates, seminars and on-stage interviews, talks and discussions.  Lee Child, Val McDermid, Reginald Hill and Stuart MacBride will be amongst the famous names attending.  And for me, Harrogate itself and the surrounding countryside are well worth a visit at any time of the year!