Creative Writes

Inspirational St Pancras!

2012-01-30T18:41:00.000Z

Creative Writes & Mendham Writers workshop, St Pancras International Station, Creative Writing Workshop, Jan 2012

We had a wonderful, creative day on 21 January at St Pancras Station!

We were inspired by hearing about the history of the station from Rochelle at Mendham Writers.

We then armed our writers with lots of ideas as they absorbed the wonderful atmosphere and architecture. New characters were conjured up and sent on incredible journeys! We shared our work amidst the hum of the trains..

Looking forward to more Mendham Writers Workshops this year and the Spring Creative Writes workshops in Muswell Hill!

Surrounded by poetry!

2012-01-04T15:52:00.000Z

A room with a view. The Circus, Bath. November 2011

Happy New Year!

I am surrounded by poetry today, as I plan for workshops...

Two of the collections are by very different poets - John Betjeman and Sharon Olds.

I am taking inspiration from Betjeman for the Creative Writes workshop at Kings Cross International Station, which I will be delivering on 21st January 2012 for Mendham Writers. Please contact them for info & booking: www.mendham-writers.com. Do join us!

Have you seen the Betjeman poetry engraved on the floor at Kings Cross, near to his statue? Worth a visit!

Sharon Olds is an American poet. Rochelle from Mendham Writers and I used her moving poem 'The Race' during our Heathrow airport workshop last year. I am delighted to see that Olds is included in the 'Meet the Relatives' Poetry School course that I will be attending later this month. I am looking forward to discovering more of her work.

It is exciting to discover poetry. Don't be afraid to try your own! To get started, take the opening line or two of a poem you like /are moved by...Time yourself ten/fifteen minutes and see what happens. If it helps, repeat the line(s) for each new verse that you write.

Enjoy!

Poetic Sketching

2011-12-12T15:08:00.000Z

Hello!

I wanted to share with you a recent visit that I had to the Mayor Gallery in Cork Street - to see an exhibition of drawings by the poet Sylvia Plath.

We hear about Plath's troubled mind - often conveyed through her poetry. Many of us also know of her tragic ending. It was however a privilege to have an insight into a different side of her - through these wonderful drawings. Many were of everyday household objects, or views from her window. They showed a playful perspective and you felt as if you were spending a relaxing day in her company! I highly recommend a visit to this exhibition - on until 16 December.

"I have a visual imagination. For instance, my inspiration is painting and not music. When I go to some other art form I see things very clearly." Sylvia Plath

A poem

2011-11-21T21:39:00.000Z

Hello!

I have been taking writing inspiration and workshop ideas from across the UK!

Here is a poem I wrote recently, which was inspired by 'The Key,' written by Rose Auslander.

This was written in 15 minutes free flow, give it a go with this poem or any other! Taking the first verse is often a good way to start, or repeating the first line of each verse.

Inspired by 'The Key'

Without a word I go
from door to door
from room to room

Each space expanding before me
Human breath
Absent
Even my own
When I remember to breathe
The taste is stale

Without a word I go
from door to door
from room to room

Reaching my arms out
I touch, nothing
And it's incredible to think you took this much space

Finally I reach the end
Where the thin white curtains
Flap gently in the sea breeze
Now I can taste the salt

Still silent
The room reaches its arms out to me
For the first time
I am held

I am

2011-10-23T16:17:00.002+01:00

Good afternoon all!

The following piece was written in 10 minutes - free flow, in the voice of the object (the bird ornament which is featured in the photo below!). This exercise was an option for the group during the Creative Writes workshop on Wednesday. So here is my attempt! No editing, just writing. Have a try!

I am

I am a curious object, meant as an object of desire perhaps? But how can I be an object of desire when I’m so vulgar? And what use am I? I won’t look you in the eye properly and my stature is awkward. Do I have secrets and stories? Of course, we all do don’t we? I sit permanently on my faux wooden perch. I am made of fake colours and fake substances yet I question the dreams I am made of, those I think are real. I witnessed so many tears and so much laughter – soaking up the substance of Auntie Leanne’s house. I saw her children grow and leave and I witnessed her slow down. Slow down to my pace, almost immobile with the occasional flicker of an eye in deep slumber or a head nod – as she sat in her rocking chair by the fire. The heartache of her children became her heartache. When Sophia was left by her partner as they travelled through Africa before their planned marriage that autumn – when her eldest and beautiful daughter with her sheet of striking black hair and piercing brown eyes was heartbroken, it reverberated all the way back here to the sitting room in Morden and instantly caused a crack in the wall. No Plasterer could ever repair this crack which leaked damp tears until Auntie Leanne ceased to nod her sleeping head.

Kings X here we come!

2011-10-11T14:53:00.001+01:00

In addition to the Heathrow airport workshop on 5th November 2011, I will also be working in partnership with Mendham Writers to bring you a creative writing workshop on 21st January 2012.

I spent an exciting and inspiring afternoon at the new Kings X St Pancras International Station yesterday - surrounded by the words of poet John Betjeman. I am very much looking forward to the workshop! Do contact me if you would like further info.

Meanwhile, the Creative Writes Wednesday workshops at North Bank in Muswell Hill are going very well and I look forward to November Sundays and Wednesdays! As always, happy to answer any questions you may have.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,
Nichola

The word on Creative Writes!

2011-09-25T18:06:00.000+01:00

Hello - I wanted to share the following with you, sent to me by a Creative Writes participant after attending the workshops for the first time:

"I think these are techniques that could be useful on a lifelong basis - so I just wanted to thank you so much for Creative Writes - it's the best. Also, I think you're the perfect kind of person for running this sort of workshop - lots of people claim to be non-critical but very few can resist the temptation. I felt supported and encouraged and that you lived up to all your promises. It was a great experience and I would recommend Creative Writes to anyone who feels they need to open themselves up to their writing."

No prep required!

2011-09-19T17:23:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I hope this finds you well on this sunny Autumn Monday!

I was chatting to somebody today about Creative Writes (as I often am!) and I had a thought that people interested in the creative writing workshops may be under the impression that they need to prepare something beforehand. The beauty of Creative Writes workshops is that they cater for writers at all levels, including absolute beginners. All you need is your notebook and pen!

I guide the group through a range of timed writing exercises that helps us to create a tool kit of ideas that you can carry around with you long after you leave the workshops! These ideas will ensure that you always have a way out of writers block. You can also apply them to a project that you are already working on.

An idea for today: Listen to an overheard conversation - write down a sentence or two (it doesn't matter if you get a chance to see who is talking!) and use this as a trigger for character and story. Start writing and don't stop for 10 minutes! If you want to carry on later, please do.

Do post in any writing that you wish to share.

Please see this blog for dates of upcoming Creative Writes workshops. Look forward to hearing from you.

Bye for now,

Nichola

Do you have anything to declare?

2011-09-12T14:37:00.000+01:00

Do you have anything to declare?

A Creative Writing Workshop at Heathrow Terminal 5 with Mendham Writers & Creative Writes. We will mingle with passengers, staff and crew in Departures & Arrivals, take off on imaginary journeys, develop characters, begin stories and play with poetry & words. We will round off our day in the tranquillity of the Sofitel hotel. There will be lots of writing exercises and you will travel home with bags packed full of inspiration & new techniques!

Saturday November 5th 2011, 10.30am-4.30pm. Just £30 for the whole journey!

Contact me for further info.

Thanks!

A day of creative writing research!

2011-09-09T23:24:00.000+01:00

After the lifeguards have left - Lido Beach, Summer 2011

It was a great day with Rochelle Scholar from Mendham Writers at Heathrow Airport today! We were plotting & planning wonderful creative writing adventures! Watch this space for Creatiive Writes/Mendham Writers workshop details...Thanks!

A word on book groups!

2011-09-07T18:55:00.000+01:00

Brooklyn art - summer 2011

In my last blog, I talked about the women authors I have been reading recently and the book I had just started, which is the Diary of Rachel Johnson, after her first year as Editor of 'The Lady' Magazine. I would not be reading this book had it not been for my Book Group - which always stretches me in my choices. The results are often pleasurable too!

I attend a friendly, informal Book Group which meets on the first Tuesday evening of each month in Southgate, North London.

There is always lively discussion and the pride of getting even half way through a book you never would have read if left alone! If you are interested in joining us, please email: tufnel_eleven@hotmail.com for further info.

It also ensures that you are kept reading, which is of course the perfect guide and inspiration for writers! Check out the dates on this blog for Creative Writes workshops from October! Thanks!

Bye for now,

Nichola

Monday's reading diary, writing tips & workshop dates!

2011-09-05T14:29:00.000+01:00

North Bank house & gardens, Muswell Hill, N10

Hello all,

Enquiries are coming in for the Creative Writes October workshops and beyond!

We will be returning to North Bank house & gardens in Muswell Hill, which provides the perfect writing inspiration.

There will be workshops on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Please see this blog & my website http://www.creativewrites.co.uk/ for dates.

As ever, I will be adapting the content to suit the needs of the group and there will be a fun, engaging selection of timed creative writing exercises to motivate and equip you to continue writing…

Reading diary...

In the past couple of weeks I have read a selection of work by female authors, which have been enjoyable and engaging.

The authors include the American Elizabeth Berg (I read one of her novels ‘Until The Real Thing Comes Along’ & I will be reading her short story collection ‘Ordinary Life,’ next) and British journalist & author Jacky Hyams (whose autobiography ‘Bombsites & Lollipops,’ takes us through her childhood and teenage years - growing up in London’s East End post World War Two). It is always interesting to hear stories told with strong narrative voices and both do this well.

I am now on to ‘A diary of The Lady – My First Year As Editor ,’ by Rachel Johnson, for my book group - so will keep you posted re thoughts! Having never picked up a copy of 'The Lady,' I am intrigued by this account - told by Boris Johnson's sister.

Itching to write today...I will do my favourite thing later and seek out good coffee while I ‘empty my head’ and see which words appear on the page!

Writing Idea...

Try 10 minutes today with the writing topic ‘I’m thinking of!’ Try not to stop, think or edit! Write the title and go! Let me know how you get on!

And a reminder...

If you haven’t already signed up for my mailing list and to follow this blog, please do!

Hello

2011-08-30T19:14:00.001+01:00

Photo by Leluu

Welcome to Creative Writes!

I love creative writing and delivering workshops, so Creative Writes is the perfect job for me...Keep an eye on this blog for workshop updates, creative writing tips & more!

Nichola