Is there a book in you?
Have you ever fancied yourself as a writer? Well, now there’s a chance for you to have a go at creative writing in Charlestown.
Twice a month a new Creative Writing Group meets in the Arts Centre, and you are invited to join – it is completely free and a warm welcome awaits!
So far the drop-in group has attracted some complete beginners, as well as improvers and experienced wordsmiths, making a wonderful creative mix of people interested in improving their writing skills.
The meetings include several writing sessions, where pen gets put to paper following a prompt. The prompt can be anything from an object (such as a marble, a pack of cards, a sprig of rosemary), to a line of poetry, a news item, some music or a personal anecdote. The point is for writers to take inspiration from the prompt and write for about 15 minutes at a time.
Once the creative juices are flowing, members write memoir, poetry, fiction or prose (their personal choice) and they then share with the group (or not, again it’s a personal choice). The idea is that the pieces of writing started in the meetings are taken away and developed into finished articles, stories or poetry by the writers.
There is also the chance to talk the talk and hear about publishing opportunities and writing competitions, plus other news of interest over a cup of tea or coffee.
In the future there will be workshops on specific aspects of writing, such as short story structure, writing poetry, and flash fiction, and there are plans for members to offer each other critiques on their previously completed work if required.
Charlestown Creative Writing Group meetings start at 11am and last for about an hour and a half in the Arts Centre (above the Library in Barrack Street). The next one is on Monday, May 30th.