As a writer and an artist I am naturally drawn to working with objects; many of my published stories centre on an object, painting or artist. My MA Writing the Visual was unlike any other creative writing course in the country, directed by the internationally acclaimed poet, George Szirtes, it felt tailor made for me. Set in an art school, my cohort was a fascinating mix of painters, sculptors, photographers who had also developed a passion for writing.
After graduating I was invited to work at Norwich Cathedral and the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts and so my association with iconic buildings, collections and artefacts began. I soon discovered that teaching creative writing with the support of a team of interpreters and guides has a remarkable effect on novice writers. The stumbling block for many writers is the lack of a stock of thought–provoking ideas. Removed from the burden of having to come up with ‘inspiration’ to order, they are enticed into discovering stories through research and contact with objects and the local environment. This is the perfect way to gain confidence, inspiration arrives, anxiety dissolves and enthusiasm takes over.  Research is the writers’ friend; stories are prised from the past or an imagined future, crafted, honed and shaped — this is literary alchemy.
In September I will be embarking on another creative journey with a new group of students at Wells Maltings. Together we will explore the history of the building, the local and coastal environment, if you would like to participate or need further information please use the links below.
For more information www.patriciamullin.com
A ten week course beginning Tuesday 18th Sept 10-12.30am Wells Maltings. Early booking is advised.
For bookings  https://wellsmaltings.savoysystems.co.uk/WellsMaltings.dll/

I will be announcing new courses for 2018 soon. If you require mentoring (perfect for anyone needing help with a novel, short story collection or just wanting some focus on their creative enterprises. ) Please get in touch.

It is lovely to be back at the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts. This is the anniversary year for the Sainsbury Centre, it is 40 years old! And looking just as youthful as the day it was built. It is the most wonderful building with so many fascinating artefacts and an exciting programme of special exhibitions and events. Occasionally I come across people in the county who have never visited, I would urge them to so, we have the most extraordinary collection on our doorstep and the building itself is an icon.

I haven’t made any New Year resolutions, given that statistics show that most people have broken them by mid-January, they serve no real purpose. I do however have a folder entitled 2017 The Plan and soon to be renamed 2018 The Plan. It has a number of categories, ten in all, beginning with the overall plan it features domestic plans (such as the conversion of the studio in 2017) and then a number of work categories. I check it throughout the year and adjust accordingly; it gives me an overall picture to the scope of my yearly ambitions and acts as benchmark.
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I’m inveterate list maker although these can be a horrible ball and chain as items frequently get dragged from one day’s list to the next with no satisfactory sense of completion. A yearly plan is different, when a project hasn’t got off the ground I can assess the reasons why. Often it is entirely out of my hands, perhaps dependent on the cogs of an organisation to turn; there were three failures to launch in 2017.  Some domestic projects, like six months in design and planning and then a twenty weeks build can set back or derail any number of winning ideas.

Interestingly, as I look down the 2017 categories not one is writing. You may find this extraordinary for someone who is a writer, but this is because the writing gets done whatever. It is my life blood, the written page is one area I have control over, at least in the early stages. So immediately after turning out the detritus thrown haphazardly into my study during the festive period I will, once again be happily settled at my keyboard tapping my way into a creative 2018.

On the theme of writing may I pass on this interesting Ted Talk by Jonny Geller of Curtis Brown Literary Agency ‘How to Write a Best Seller’ -  with thanks to Katherine Gregor for sending me the link.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v+mDuP2BsVy4
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Prose in Progress at Anteros Arts, Norwich on 28th Oct 10-4pm has just 3 places left, please scroll down for booking details.

FRAGMENT - an exhibition by Mandy Rogers, continues at Nunns Yard 23-25 St Augustines St Norwich until Oct 8th.
Below is an image from the exhibition which combines art and text in a fascinating show.

Many of you know that I rarely mention the C word until after bonfire night, but this workshop might be just what you need to survive the festive season. It's run in part by one of my mentees Lyn, and sounds just the thing for those in need of a seasonal survival strategy. 

How to Survive Christmas?
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A Writing for Wellbeing Workshop
Norwich Wellbeing Centre
 
Saturday 11th November - 10am - 4.30pm - £55
 
This is a one day workshop for those who want to approach and experience the Christmas and New Year holiday season in a more authentic way and free themselves from the expectations, constraints and pressures that may be felt during this time of year.
 
This is a workshop for those who want to benefit from exploring their thoughts and feelings about Christmas and the holiday season using expressive writing.
Facilitators: Jacqui Empson-High and Lyn Hazleton.
Booking and further information from Lyn on 07719 736600 or email lyn.hazleton@btinternet.com

You will have noticed that blogging has been put on the back burner for some time now. Editing my novel, teaching, mentoring and a major building project at Meadow Cottage have been my enjoyable time thieves. I have been working with one of my mentees, Mandy Rogers, whose forthcoming exhibition FRAGMENT opens in October at Nunns Yard, Norwich.(See the flyer for full details.) Working with Mandy has been a fascinating journey, because of our shared passion for writing and our background in art the sessions have been alive with flashes inspiration; acting as a guide to this exhibition has been a privilege. FRAGMENT will be intriguing and beguiling, I urge you to see it.

You can read Mandy's experience of the mentoring process below.

Scroll down to read details of my 'Prose in Progress' workshop Oct 28th Anteros Arts. Norwich. Limited places - book early.

Mentoring and Me by Mandy Rogers
 
Meetings with Patricia have helped me focus, prioritise, time manage and stay on track. The discussions we have had had revolved around preparing for a planned exhibition, in which I had set out to explore a relation between the visual and my recent ventures into writing. Patricia is an ideal person to help with this, as she is an artist and a writer.
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As well as valuing her experienced and more detached eye and great practical help in establishing a framework and timetable for various tasks, my experience of our meetings was one of bouncing ideas around - a kind of collaborative journey, which felt exciting, and creative in itself. Patricia has been an affirming presence. She takes what I am trying to do seriously, does not allow self effacing apologies for the work, and gives clear constructive feed back about ideas and particular details of written work. This has helped me take it seriously, and to commit to the work, even when I am feeling very unsure about it. Patricia is also a mine of information about museums, creative resources and a very skilled writing tutor/facilitator. In short, these mentoring sessions have been immensely helpful.

Prose in Progress Part 1 - Saturday 28th October 2017 10-4pm Anteros Arts Foundation, 11-15 Fye Bridge St. Norwich. NR3 1LJ

A one day workshop for prose writers and multi-disciplinary arts professionals. Designed to empower writers and creatives to sustain longer projects over time, be they a short story collection, novel, memoir based fiction, art, illustrated fiction or a multi-disciplinary creative project. 

Prior to the workshop you will share your work with the group for discussion on the day. You will develop the tools and structures to take responsibility for your own autonomous learning and creative practise, through exercises, analysis and group discussion and form a plan and structure to keep the world at bay sufficiently to sustain creativity and consistently build your project to completion. There will be a follow up workshop in February.

Because of the focused nature of this workshop places are strictly limited to 8 participants.

Fee £65.00 - Booking essential and early booking advised. Email: mullinpatricia@gmail.com for booking information.
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