Refreshment

On Monday I ran a creative writing workshop for my former Cathedral students, who have aptly named their writing group Ex-Cathedra and meet once a month at the Friends Meeting House, in a cosy room adorned with imaginative children’s drawings.  That they have continued for several years is a great tribute to their passion for writing and their marvellous organiser Graham. Each month they share their writing and one of the group sets a writing homework.  They occasionally take in a new member, but largely they are unchanged from the student cohort that I remember. Sticking at it is a very important for any writer and as I have said before on a blog, having a group of trusted fellow writers to critique your writing is invaluable. They have modest fees to pay for the room, periodically they pay a writer or publishing expert to come in run a session or give a talk which keeps the sessions fresh.  My session focused on building character and looked at beginnings, which is not new to those that I taught in the past, but we all forget the central tenets of creative writing, I too need reminding from time to time and I enjoy going to workshops that stretch me and refresh me creatively. On Sunday I am joining a workshop on Cyanotypes (a way of creating images through a photograph process by laying objects on paper or fabric) I rather like being taught, it is a welcome change from the role of tutor. To start with I don’t have to do any preparation other than making a packed lunch and when, as this is, it’s an art workshop I can look forward to using a part of my brain that seldom gets and outing. Although I fully intend to paint and draw again and my studio is set up for this, I have yet to do anything much, my main focus in this first year at Meadow Cottage have been taming the garden and writing. I think writing is always going to absorb most of my time, but the opportunity to use my visual skills and to meet new and like-minded people will be really enjoyable. The only downside I can see is that I will miss the men’s final at Wimbledon and I am hoping to avoid hearing the result so that I can watch it when I get home. It is good to refresh yourself in whatever field of creative endeavour and as my writing and art frequently cross genres I think a day spent out on the marsh making images could also have benefits for my writing. 

My word of mouth book is: Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.

And in the same spirit of my Word of Mouth campaign, do read this (below) taken from the BBC news website 

Eimear McBride has won the Desmond Elliott Prize for debut novelists for her book A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing.

Judge, Chris Cleave, called it "the kind of novel that is written once in a generation and takes the art to an entirely new place".
The book has risen to such acclaim after being initially rejected by countless publishers for its experimental style.
It eventually came to the attention of Norwich-based independent publisher Galley Beggar Press.
Chris Cleave, an author and journalist, called on fellow writers to "raise up the next generation of novelists".
Chair of judges, Cleave, called it "the kind of novel that is written once in a generation"
"When it comes to serious literature, the various parasites are now killing the host organism," he said.
"From now on, I want to see every established writer, whenever they win a prize, or give an interview, or make a statement on Twitter, insist on mentioning an upcoming novelist whose work needs more recognition.
"Let this generation of writers give life to the next, or may we be damned as the ones who let literature be murdered on our watch."