Tuesday 28 January 2020

The NewBridge Writers' Group - Session 1 - Where are you now?

Last night was the first NewBridge Writing Workshop session. The 10-week writing workshop has been created specifically for those who have not previously had a formal education or experience in writing (e.g. a university programme) but who are committed to developing their writing skills and also building an understanding of how to get published. 

Dr Alex Lockwood (author of the nonfiction book The Pig in Thin Air, and the 2019 novel The Chernobyl Privileges, shortlisted for The Rubery Prize) has instigated the series, but will be mentoring and supporting me and one of the other participants to facilitate the group.

Of the 10 sessions in the programme, 5 will be spent looking at the Working Class Writer’s Plan (developed by North East writer Carmen Marcus, in conjunction with the Bookseller magazine) to help those taking part build a community of contacts, fellow writers and performers in the North East and beyond. The other 5 sessions will be devoted to other  creative exercises.

Session 1 was an introduction to the group and the introductory session of the Writers' Plan - Where are you now?

As is traditional in these kinds of scenarios, (a group of relative strangers meet each other for the first time) we began with an icebreaker. 

















- The group stands round a table on which a bowl of water and a box of extra long matches have been placed
- One member of the group strikes a match from the box, and has to tell a story that lasts as long as the flame from the match

Some stories ended prematurely - Stories are valuable
Some stories prompted other stories - Stories are contagious














Writing Plan

Exercise 1 - My Writing Family Tree

Create a map to illustrate your life journey with stories

Where did/do I encounter stories? e.g. books, radio, people, writing groups, television

Who told/tells you the stories? e.g. parents, friends, teachers




Exercise 2 - Why Do You Want to Write?

Who are you writing for? 

What are your favourite books?

What do your favourite authors do that impresses you?




Exercise 3 - The Research Years

Column 1 - List of the jobs you've ever done



Column 2 - List a selection of the wondrous and strange experiences you've had



Column 3 - List your values










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