THE WORKSHOPS AND THEIR AIM
The workshops are designed for a wide range of participants and all are based on hands-on writing. Generally people come to them because they have something they want to say. They may be unclear what that is or how best to express it. Others may come with a specific project they wish to work on or simply to explore their writing possibilities . The aim of the workshops is to demystify, clarify and put into practice your writing goals. Groups are usually small. No more than 4 or five.

THREE DAY WORKSHOP An introduction to basic writing skills, journalism and the creative approach. This incorporates hands on exercises, experimenting with various writing styles and methods, using the senses, the importance of observation and getting the facts right. We look at identifying what to write about and for whom, how to approach editors/publishers with story ideas and markets for your work.

FIVE DAY WORKSHOP This allows you to apply in greater depth the principles of the three day workshop. The time scale allows for intense work on subjects which can include travel writing, reviewing and interviewing for print. We can also take a trip to Bologna, Ferrara, or Modena as a subject for a writing project.

WEEKEND WORKSHOPS Weekend workshops have proved popular with people who are based locally and work/study during the week, for those who want a taster or who are writing to deadline. They offer the opportunity to invigorate ongoing writing projects or inspire new projects. These workshops concentrate on one or two themes and follow similar patterns to the other workshops.

“When the workshops started three years ago, I was working on the premise of teaching basic journalistic skills. I don’t see a line between journalism and ‘creative writing’ – both require discipline, an inquiring mind, imagination and a creative approach in using language. As the workshops progressed, the exercises provided the inspiration for bigger works; poems, memoirs, life history, short stories and novels burst onto paper with energy and excitement.” – Alison Fleming.