This summer I wanted to do something different. Or rather, do it differently.
I’ve been teaching Creative Writing within a university setting along with devising and facilitating workshops for over twenty years. It’s my ‘day job’ as a writer. I also belong to a brilliant writing group where I try out early drafts with other novelist friends whom I’m lucky enough to know well.
But in my own practice and through talking to former MA students and the people I meet at festivals and open mics I’ve noticed a desire for something simpler. Something less dependent on networks. Cheaper, too.
Sometimes, all anyone wants is a space to write. Permission to write. A prompt, to set them on their way. No ‘teaching’. No critiquing.
There are fabulous offerings of this type already, if you know where to look. They are also easy to set up, especially if you don’t mind organising things online.
The group I’ve set up is called Write Night and we meet in person once a fortnight at 6pm a lovely local cafe/bar called The Cabinet Rooms. There’s no ‘membership’ – you simply book and show up. A ticket costs a fiver, to deter no-shows and support the venue.
We start with some brief hellos and a guided writing prompt – usually something I’ve dreamt up on a walk. Then, 30-40 minutes of quiet writing. After that, we come back together for writing chat, for reading out or talking about what we’ve written, or simply for listening – there is no pressure to speak at all.
Here are a few things people have said after coming along for a session:
‘Thanks for creating such a great writing space.’
‘Loved the prompts and the chat.’
‘More, please.’
Everyone is welcome. The prompts work for beginners as well as more established writers.
Give it a try, or maybe set up a group of your own. I’d love to hear how you get on.
Details of the Winchester Write Night group at The Cabinet Rooms here.