Workshops and Surgeries in Lancaster

Courtesy of our friends over in Lancaster, here's news of three workshop and surgery opportunities taking place during November.

Words & Music Collaborations workshop.

10.30am - 4.30pm on Saturday 14th November 2009

at

The Storey Auditorium
Meeting House Lane, Lancaster
The aim of the workshop is to enable

six writers and six musicians to work in
collaboration experimenting with the combination of
text and sound -
stretching the boundaries of music and using words
and sound in abstract/atmospheric ways.


As places are limited to six writers and six musicians
they will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

If you would like more information or
please e-mail:
spotlightclub@btinternet.com

Please note: this is not a 'songwriting workshop'.

Facilitators: Ann Wilson and Shaun Blezzard


Ann is a writer and performing poet based in South Cumbria. Her poetry features on The Resting Bench which is free to download from Earth Monkey Productions at www.earthmp.com Thanks to fabulous sonic artist/producer Shaun (Clutter) Her poetry collection Synesthetic is available at The Tinners' Rabbit Bookshop, Ulverston, Cumbria or direct from Ann at gigs.
Check out her website: www.annthepoet.com

Shaun is a community based audio/visual artist who lives on Barrow Island in Cumbria,UK. He has worked as an artist, musician, producer, composer and workshop leader for the likes of Sonic Arts Network, Welfare State International, The Sage Gateshead, Youth Music, Whitewood & Fleming, Age Concern, Grizdale Arts, Shoreline Films, The Ashton Group, Connexions, The Word Hoard and Barrow Borough Council. He is also an experienced live sound technician and sound recordist and runs Earth Monkey Productions - a non-profit making net label specialising in experimental electronic music, sound art and spoken work.

Performance Writing Workshop

Friday November 20th 2.30 - 4.30pm

at The Storey Creative Industries Centre,
Meeting House Lane, Lancaster LA1 1TH

Facilitator: Ann Wilson -

Ann is the regular host of the Spoken Word open mic at Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, Cumbria. She has performed her poetry in pubs, cafes, and theatres, on the radio at festivals and on the street since 1992.

Fee: £5

To Book or for further information email:

spotlightclub@btinternet.com

www.spotlightlancaster.co.uk


Writing Surgeries: Work In Progress

Whether you are just starting out
or have been writing for some time...

Whether you write for performance or the page...

Would you like to get some creative feedback on your writing?

Then come to a One-To-One 20 minute Surgery
with Spotlight Organisers Ron Baker and Sarah Fiske.
@ The Gregson Centre, Moor Lane, Lancaster.


The Next Surgery will be held on:

Sunday 22nd November 2009 - 7 - 9pm

Fee: £5

Places are limited and must be booked in advance -
To sign up for a 20 minute writing surgery
or for Further Information e-mail:

spotlightclub@btinternet.com


Feedback From Recent Surgeries

Thanks very much for the helpful feedback at my writing surgery. It definitely boosted my morale and made me feel it was worth keeping going (not that I'm in danger of stopping writing, but it gave me the hope that someone other than myself might at some point like to read what I've written!!). Thanks for making the surgeries happen and for the sensitive and encouraging way you commented on what I'd written. I'm plugging away at writing something longer and will edit, edit and edit again when I've got it all on paper.



Rob W. - Following your advice last November I sent copies of the first three chapters of my book (and a summary), to several publishers. After two rejections the editorial team of a publisher in London has now asked for the completed manuscript for consideration. Needless to say I am now working hard to complete it.



Matt T. - I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the constructive and supportive comments you made about my poems and about writing in general. I came way energised and inspired.



Peter B. - I would like to thank you for your encouragement and positive advice at the Writing Surgery last Sunday. It is greatly appreciated. I'm sure it will help me in the future.



Pamela P. - Let me thank you for the opportunity to have my work critiqued. I found the comments invaluable and greatly appreciated the time spent in giving me feedback.



Elisabeth D. - Just a short note to say 'thank you' for your help with my writing. Your comments were perceptive and helpful. I was impressed that you had taken time to read it so carefully. But it was just what I needed. I will take all to task in the New Year. Thank you again for your helpful suggestions, your time and your encouragement.



Bill D. - A brief note to thank you very much for your help. I've done a bit of re-drafting and feel stimulated and encouraged to progress my novel, 'Mad World'. It was nice to meet and talk with you.

Creative Writing at the Continental

They Eat Culture and the Preston Writing Network present the latest round of creative writing classes with local writer Jenn Ashworth.

Taster Course

Saturday 11th October 2.45pm - 5.15pm

Jenn will be teaching a 'creative writing taster session' - this course is aimed at beginners or those who have some experience of writing but would like to increase their confidence at working in a group. The two hour session in our relaxed riverside venue will involve writing prompts and sharing your work, but there's no obligation to read aloud.

The cost of the course is £5 - and this taster session is run as part of Preston Arts Association's annual Arts Festival - more details of this and other Arts Festival events can be found via their website, here.

Six Week Workshop Course

4th of November - 9th December 7.30 - 9pm (all sessions)

Over the course of six one and a half hour workshops Jenn will take you through the basics of creating character, plot and setting. She'll work with you on description and dialogue and set writing prompts and excersises to get your creative juices flowing. This course will help you turn your ideas into fully fledged pieces of writing, teach you how to present your work for publication and deal with issues like procrastination and writer's block. There will be some homework, and the opportunity to read your work out during the workshop - although this isn't compulsory.

Cost: £50 per person.

Workshop dates (the price is for all six workshops)

Wednesday November 4th
Wednesday November 11th
Wednesday November 18th
Wednesday November 25th
Wednesday December 2nd
Wednesday December 9th

The taster and the six week workshop are all held at the New Continental Pub, South Meadow Lane, Preston. You can book a place by telephoning the They Eat Culture office on 01772 499207 or emailing robyn@theyeatculture.net - payment must be made in advance in order to secure a place.

As an added bonus, everyone who attends a Preston Writing Network creative writing workshop - whether this is the taster session or the six week course, will be invited to perform at Word Soup with your very own 3 minute slot to showcase your work to a friendly and growing audience.

Chocolate and Short Stories

Chocolate and Short Stories is the first in a series of one-day workshops which will show you exactly how to write a short story for Bridge House.

Bridge House is a fully fledged new publishing company based in Manchester and specialising in anthologies showcasing both new and established writing talent. For their current submissions opportunities and policies, click here.

Here's what Bridge House had to say about their latest workshop:

Whether a beginner or an experienced writer, you will leave with a good proportion of a story finished. It is also likely to be a story which will fit the Bridge House ethos. There'll also be a chance as well to meet other members of the Bridge House team.

We've gone a bit upmarket this time and are running the workshop at Slatterly's, Whitefield, Manchester. Slatterly's produce wonderful cakes and chocolates, and there will be a chance during the day to browse their tempting display. Your day also includes a good sample of their other food.

The workshop Leader is Gill James, experienced writer and editor, university lecturer in creative writing with over 30 books in print.

The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm on the 19th September.

For more information on the workshop, to book a place, or to find out more about Manchester based Bridge House publishing and Chocolate Stories, click here.

Performance Wordshops

Ron Baker from Lancaster Spotlight has just got in touch with an opportunity that would be ideal for all you Word Soup open-mikers to-be (and there's a mouthful...)

On September 18th at The Storey Creative Industries Centre, Ruth Quinn will be holding a Performance Skills Workshop.

Ruth is an experienced drama, theatre and acting teacher and has been assisting people to get the best out of their performances for over eighteen years. She's also a poet in her own right, and has a particular interest in helping people perform their poetry.

The workshop runs from 2.30pm - 4.30pm and costs £5. If you want to book, email spotlightclub@btinternet.com and tell them we sent you...

Getting Started With Your Novel

The next in the series of the Preston Writing Network's summer creative writing courses is Getting Started with Your Novel - a day-long workshop held at the New Continental, Broadgate. The course starts at 10am on August 22nd and finishes at 4pm: there'll be an hour for lunch and morning refreshments will be provided.

Have an idea but not sure if it’s got legs? Written the first page, first chapter, or first half and not sure where to go next? Having trouble deciding if your idea is for a novel, a story, or something else? Writing is a lonely business. Perhaps you want to develop a plan for an extended piece of work, or talk to others about how to create your own writing discipline. A reflective day with discussion, practical exercises and tips. Some writing experience needed, but enthusiasm and an idea for a novel (however vague) is essential. £35 per person. 20 people maximum.

To book, call Robyn on 01772 499207 or email robyn@newcontinental.net. For more details on the Creative Writing Summer School, click here.

Helena Pielichaty to visit Preston

Helena Pielichaty is the author of over twenty-five books for children, including the award-winning Simone series and the best selling Clubbing Together. On wednesday 5th August, between 2 - 3pm Helena will be at the National Football Museum to talk about her exciting new series, Girls FC.

Based around the Parrs U11s, Girls FC explores the world of girls' football in a twelve-book series that is aimed at 8-11 year olds. The series is released on the 3rd August with the first four books. Here's what Helena had to say about the series on her website:

Based around an U11s girls’ football team, the Parrs, the
series is a mix of my usual reality-bites-but-with-laughs story-lines. It kicks off with 9 year old football mad Megan Fawcett. All she wants is to get five minutes on the pitch for her school team but Mr Glasshouse, headmaster and coach, believes only the Y5s and Y6s should play in the first team. He barely notices her, even when she wears fairy wings and a tiara to training. So, after a chance meeting with Hannah Preston from the senior women’s squad, Megan starts her own team. A team just for girls; some from school, some from after school club and one from Lornton FC’s ground caught nicking stuff from the changing rooms!

As well as participating in the launch and having the chance to meet and talk
to the author, you'll be able to have a tour of the museum, watch a female
football freestyler in action and take part in the 'Goal-Striker' penalty
shoot-out. Helena will be signing books and you can find out more about her and
her writing life here.

The National Football Museum is on Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston and this looks to be a great afternoon out for younger PrestonWNers or their children! Places
are limited - to secure a place please email eve.warlow@walker.co.uk