New Evening Creative Writing Course

27 08 2011

This autumn I will be running an evening course for the first time as opposed to during the day as I have been doing for the last two years, as I want to reach out to those who are busy during the day and would not normally be able to join my classes and have fun with trying out creative writing.

This course will introduce the elements of short story and fiction writing, and through writing exercises you will practice  how to build believable  characters, plot your story, set the scene, find your ‘writing voice’ and many other things.

We will read and discuss short stories and extracts from longer works to explore the  structure of stories and how they ‘work’.  We will also read  and try our hand at different kinds of Creative Writing such as memoir/life writing and travel writing.

More than anything, you will have a lot of fun connecting to your creative side and allowing your imagination to run wild!

Whether  you are a complete beginner or someone who is already writing, this course is suitable  for  you as each person can go at their own pace and do as much or as little writing as they like.  I have found that there is a certain kind of magic that happens with a group like this, and the support and enthusiasm of such a group group is a big part of the experience.  This is a great opportunity to try out and share your writing, but no-one is forced to share if they don’t want to.

The course begins on the 5th of October, from 8-9:30 pm and runs for six weeks.  Please contact Wivenhoe Bookshop on 010206 824050 to book a place.  I advice that you book early as places usually fill up quickly.

Advertisement

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : coaching, Creative writing, Writing courses

The end of another great course

1 11 2010

Another great course has finished, and as always I’m amazed at the quality of the work the participants produce.

Some of the group had never written anything before, some had written when they were youngsters but nothing until now when they had retired.  There were also some participants from previous courses which is lovely for me and must mean that they enjoyed the previous courses.

I called this course Memory, Place, Belonging, as I’m interested in how we see ourselves in our environment, how we feel connected to the place where we live, or not. I wanted the participants to explore where they had come from and how they had ended up where they did.  So few of us live where we were born, but to live happily, I believe it helps if we have an emotional connection to the place where we live, and I wanted the participants to think about those connections.

We explores some of the history of Wivenhoe, where the course was held and where some of us live, and discovered hidden stories and quirks that bring the past to life.  The participants enjoyed all those activities and I believe they left the course feeling more connected,  and certainly more interested in their own physical journey  through life.   We used photographs a lot which is something I always do, and people find very interesting and fun.

I found that they were particularly interested in their own past and that of their ancestors, and I think there may be a whole new course in there somewhere!  Creative writing genealogy perhaps!


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags:
Categories : Creative writing

New course: Memory-Place-Belonging

24 07 2010


“Memories are what binds us to a place and gives us a sense of belonging.  This six week course will use creative writing to explore our relationship to Wivenhoe; drawing on our own, archives, local history and local myths.  Weather permitting; there may be some walks around Wivenhoe, as well as delving into archives to unearth a wealth of inspirations lurking just under the surface.

We will be reading examples of writing dealing with memories, place and the search for belonging.

Whether you are new to Wivenhoe or have lived here all your life; are new to writing or a seasoned writer, this course gives you an opportunity to explore and write in an exciting new way, and more than anything to have a lot of fun with your writing in a supportive environment and meet like-minded people.”

The course takes place on  Fridays from 11 – 12.30, from 24th of September and runs for 6 weeks., and the venue is the bookshop’s lovely extended and newly refurbished shed.

For more information call me on 07801273211, Bookshop on 01206 824050

or Wivenhoe Bookshop Website


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags:
Categories : Writing courses


%d bloggers like this: