Time To Write

05/03/2022

Fantastic writers group this morning at the Dukes. It was lovely to see so many new faces. I hope you found it a useful and enjoyable space and I hope to see you all again soon.
Face to face sessions are the first Saturday of each month and I'll share a facebook events just as soon as I figure out the fresh hell that is Facebook Meta Business suite.
Bring back hand written invitations with quill and ink!
Best wishes, Adrian.

08/02/2022

Good news, writers!
We are able to meet at The Dukes on Saturday this week. Be there from 10.30 for time to write.

23/01/2022

Hello Writers.
I'm looking at dates to host a face to face writing meet up. Saturday 12th Feb looks like a possibility.
I'm not sure of a venue yet and there's a chance I'll host it at my house (which is in Lancaster). Either way, it would be great to know numbers.
If you'd like a Saturday morning meet on the 12th, drop a comment below and I'll get it organised.
Adrian.

25/02/2021

Could this be the right opportunity for you? This just popped into my inbox from New Writing North.

"We are looking for new and aspiring writers from working-class and lower income backgrounds to take part in A Writing Chance.

We especially welcome submissions from people who face intersecting challenges from historic under-representation in the media, including but not limited to those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic, disabled and/or any other historically marginalised backgrounds.

Each successful applicant (ten spaces) will receive:

A bursary of £1,500 to participate in the project

One-to-one mentoring with an experienced writer or journalist

An invitation to Insight Days with the media partners, either in person or online

Publication with byline by one of the media partners, including the Daily Mirror or New Statesman, or broadcast as a podcast.

Find out more and apply by 26 March 2021"

A Writing Chance is open to new and aspiring storytellers from under-represented backgrounds. We’re looking for fresh perspectives and great stories from people whose voices have historically not been heard in publishing and the media.

21/02/2021

I've just been sent some exciting information about Litfest, which is taking place on March 12th - 21st 2021

Lancaster Literature Festival this year is fully digital and completely free!!

If you visit the Litfest website below, you can find out more about how you can stream the events and get involved with their writing and creative projects (including the Big Litfest Read, How We Live Now, How We Live Next & New Writing North West)!

https://litfest.org/

(all events free though donations welcome!)

08/08/2020

Good Morning Women Poets! If you would you benefit from £1,000 plus a year's worth of support to help you develop your poetry, apply for this!

Women Poets’ Prize The Women Poets’ Prize was launched in 2018, a year on from Rebecca’s passing. This unique award seeks to honour Rebecca’s two key passions: poetry and the empowerment of women. The Prize is awarded once every two years to three women poets. Each winner is carefully matche...

14/07/2020

📣 Mslexia's 2020 Fiction & Memoir competition is now open for entries!

There are four separate categories to choose from and you have until 21 September to apply 📆

https://mslexia.co.uk/competitions/

08/06/2020

The wonderful Leone Ross has been sharing Writing Tips on Twitter - I like this one!

Hashtag on Twitter for more.

23/05/2020

This is what I've been reading today. There are some good examples of writing about place in a way that brings it to life. If anyone else has links to guidance on writing descriptively and creating a sense of place, they'd be greatfully received!

Your first job as a storyteller is a simple one, and a crucial one. You have to get your passengers into your train - your readers into your story. Only then can you hope to transport them. And that crucial first step doesn't have much to do with characters or story or anything else. What m ...

23/05/2020

This cartoon is referenced in Bird by Bird 🐦 by Anne Lamott. The title is from a story she tells about her dad & brother.

"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”

There's this nice little article too from Brainpickings
https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/11/22/bird-by-bird-anne-lamott/