How big is a group?
Between 5 and 8 individuals, it’s never bigger than 10. The course is open to both men and women, though usually more women tend to sign up. There is no such thing as a typical group, with participants of all ages and from all different backgrounds coming along.

Will I have to read my writing out loud?
No, but I wholeheartedly invite and encourage you to do so. Firstly, it is helpful to feel the language in your mouth and hear the sounds of the words out loud. Secondly, nobody is judging. Everyone listens with care and curiosity and will undoubtedly pick up on particularly special features and qualities that you my otherwise have skipped over should you have kept the writing to yourself. It is normal to feel nervous but the experience of sharing is usually worth the risk.

Will there be criticism?
No. In these early stages we must not take our own or each others self-esteem for granted – we are delicate souls us writers! There will be practical guidance and supportive feedback on editing and revision that will give you the tools to shape and refine your writing. This will not be given in the form of criticism.

My spelling isn’t terribly good. Does it matter?
Not at all. In fact the less we worry about spelling, grammar, punctuation, structure and handwriting, all those things we associate with school, the more we are freed up to respond fully and creatively to the prompts. All the aforementioned technicalities can be added later.

Will there be homework?
A series of homework suggestions will be given out each week. These are not compulsory and will not be checked in and marked but I usually find that if you are able to do a little practise at your home your writing will benefit and your experience of the course will be enhanced.

What happens if I have to miss a session?
In these circumstances I will pop an outline of the session in the post. This is not so that you have to catch up per se but so that you don’t feel like you have missed out too much and so that you can have a smooth experience of the cumulative nature of the course.

10 week
courses

weekend
workshops

introduction to
memoir writing

introduction to
fiction writing

workshops in
creative writing &
the visual arts

creative writing
workshops for artists
& art students

creativewriting
workshops in
museums & galleries