The beginners'
course is
all about discovering how it feels to write and to be a writer.
This ten-week
experience is intended for individuals who have never written before
and is designed to coax out even the most timid beginner writer into
the light.
The structure
and support might also suit more experienced writers who have lost
their momentum and/or confidence and could benefit from the solidarity
of a warm and friendly group.
Each two-hour
session is made up of one or two simple writing exercises, intermingled
with private and shared reflection. And sometimes, if we're lucky,
there might be tea and cake!
The exercises
are intended to open up access to a reservoir of personal imagery.
The act of writing will serve as a channel with which to express this
imagery. Prepare to be surprised and inspired by what appears on your
page!
The cumulative
experience of writing and sharing will build confidence in this resource
and increase the fluency and clarity with which your ideas are formed
and communicated.
Each exercise
will begin with some form of sensory stimulation or prompt to the
memory or the imagination. There is no right or wrong way to approach
an exercise. Participants will be invited to respond with whatever
spontaneously emerges, it might be autobiography, fiction, poetry
or mixture of all of these. The safe and compassionate conditions
are in place to allow even that most hesitant of beginner-writers
the freedom to give each exercise a go.
You will
be supported in producing the kind of writing that you want to do,
whilst the exercises and discussion will expand the scope of writing
subjects and styles available.
You
will find yourself generating a series of beginnings. Each of these
beginnings can be further developed and nurtured into maturity. Advice
and tools will be shared on how to help a piece of writing flourish
so it not only meets your artistic intentions but also transcends
them.
All
these experiences will enable the opportunity for you to learn about
your own creative process, to begin developing your own sense of voice
and to recognise the wealth of sparkling material that we all have
at our own fingertips.
Several individuals
who have taken part in beginners' courses have gone on to study on
MA programmes in creative writing at various universities around the
country. Most go on to take part in a 'Follow-on' course.
Price:
£120. This may be paid in two instalments. A £20 deposit
secures you a place.
Location:
Courses and Worshops are currently run in the Wiveliscombe/Milverton
and Taunton area, Somerset, UK
Date:
Please contact Briony for details of when the next Beginners' Course
is due to commence.
