Write Stuff! : The Whole Story
I’m a Creative Writing tutor in Chester, where I lead a band of enthusiastic writers in a class called “Write Stuff!”
Some students arrive with lots of writing experience and others come, never having done any creative writing in their lives. They’re people of varied age, background, life experience and this, as you’ll imagine, makes for fascinating discussion, new friendships and some wonderful writing.
Each week we look at elements of good writing in modern novels and poetry, following this up with workshop exercises sometimes on a particular theme, e.g. neighbourliness or families or the natural world.
But this is by no means our full story…
Next week, for instance, our work will be displayed alongside an Exhibition about the Vikings at the Grosvenor Museum, Chester. And this summer, we featured there in an Exhibition called “ Mountains and Molehills”, all about Habitats throughout Cheshire.
Then next month, we perform our poems and stories during a Performance Saturday at Chester Lit Fest. And in our last session before Christmas, Cheshire Poet Laureate Jo Bell talks with us about writing for the Internet.
So as you see, “Write Stuff!” has much expanded from its original format…. and you may be intrigued to hear more about our lively class….
Our adventures have been various!
We’ve performed our work for an Arts programme on Radio Merseyside. We’ve produced an Anthology of our work. We’ve entertained members of Chester Theatre Club and members of a local History Society and we’ve displayed our work at a village festival. Over the summer when classes finish, we meet in some interesting places, including a Lighthouse Centre and also a country pub…. where the landlord provided us with a superb room in which to work, plus delicious free refreshments!
And we’ve had fascinating visitors. Kate Long, best selling author of “ The Bad Mother’s Handbook” has talked with us, as has talented young novelist David Whitley (“ The Midnight Charter) plus Alison Leonard, Caroline Smailes and various talented winners of the Cheshire Prize for Literature have encouraged us with their enthusiasm.
Learning at all stages of life is invigorating and in a friendly and enterprising atmosphere, people thrive and blossom.
That’s the creed of WEA and it’s one that’s absolutely invaluable!
Jan Bengree.
