We often freeze at the vast space or the volume of the blank notebook or computer screen and doubt ourselves. In this workshop, we will look at ways to boost our creativity. We'll start by listening to how other writers and poets encounter with the white page and look at ways to get the pen to release your stories, and get the keyboard tapping away. Then we'll discuss the Power Hour – getting the writing muscle working so that it becomes a habit, before moving on to explore how and what to write.
The workshop will be led by Roy McFarlane. Roy is a poet, playwright and former youth and community worker born in Birmingham of Jamaican parentage. He spent most of his years living in Wolverhampton and the Black Country but now resides in Brighton. He is the Canal Laureate and Birmingham & Midlands Institute Poet in Residence as well as being the former Birmingham Poet Laureate.
The session costs £40 and will run on Saturday 25th November from 10-4pm with an hour for lunch. The venue is wheelchair accessible and a three-minute walk to Brighton's St James' Street with its array of shops and eateries.There are also coffee and tea making facilities at the venue, together with a fridge and microwave if you want to bring your own lunch. Book your ticket here.
The workshop is part of a series of four Weekend Schools held this autumn. They are open to existing students on the Creative Writing Programme and other writers looking to improve specific areas of their writing craft. Other workshops include:
• Friday 24th November: Creating Memorable Characters - Laura Wilkinson (in-person in Brighton) £40
• Sunday 26th November: Speaking of which: Improving your dialogue – Beth Miller (in-person in Brighton) £40
• Sunday 3rd December: Imagery, Symbolism and Metaphor in Prose – John McCullough (online) £30
Find out more and book your tickets here.
If you have any questions about this workshop, or any of the others, please email cathy@creativewritingprogramme.org.uk