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Scottsdale Linc – Creative Writing Workshop
30th October, 2015
Thirteen eager students participated in my first Creative Writing Workshop. The two hour session began with a getting to know you, book themed card game. It was unanimously decided that the answer to; "When is a writer off duty?" is never. When greeting attendees, many lamented that they had yet to put pen to paper or mouse to screen, even though they had enjoyed several sessions from visiting writers.
This dilemma was addressed by deciding, "What a good writer must be", "How to commit to a writing discipline", and "Strategies for Rejection". A discussion of the visual, auditory and kinaesthetic senses and a mix and match exercise designed to choose character, setting and theme, introduced participants to, "What to write".
The morning concluded with a quiz. Answers showed that contributors had been actively engaged. Question 1, "What must a good writer be – A) a good cook, B) an IT whizz or C) observant, was unanimously answered as C and it was decided that options A and B would also be useful. Question 17, "Give another word for said", needs more work.
Group evaluation was very encouraging. Four students requested another session and six requested more time. Individuals enjoyed the variety of activities, good organisation, interesting and light information, "clues as to how to begin", the enthusiasm of the teacher, participation and, "the knowledge that it is possible!"
Answers to, "One thing I can apply to my writing is;" were
Make time for writing; Show not tell; Use humour; Just start; Listen more to things around me; Attend to detail; Start a journal; Write what you love.
I look forward to seeing the work of the newly formed Scottsdale Creative Writing Support Group.
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