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COURSES in CREATIVE WRITING, POETRY and ENGLISH LITERTURE
Cambridge University's Institute for Continuing Learning is now taking bookings for the following course, which will be of interest to Watford Writers:
Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Writing - starting October 2022
For more details about this and other courses and to book your place, please click on the links below:
Complete List of Creative Writing Courses
For more details:
The Academic Centre Administration Team: Creative Writing, Literature, Film Studies
Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ
CREATIVE WRITING COURSE - 22 JANUARY 2022
CREATIVE WRITING COURSE - "Dream Country"
To coincide with the Cathedral's upcoming exhibition, The BFG in Pictures, a touring exhibition from the House of Illustration, St Alban's Cathedral are very excited to be able to offer this creative writing workshop led by local writer and teacher, Clare Hobba.
Taking inspiration from the BFG's 'dream country', this two hour workshop will aim to explore what it is that inspires creativity in writing. Using a series of different images and artefacts provided by Clare, participants will have the opportunity to use these resources to formulate their own short stories. There will be the option to share stories at the end of the workshop and feedback from Clare will also be provided.
This event will be taking place on Saturday 22 January from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Alban Room at St Albans Cathedral. Spaces are limited so make sure to book your place early!
A cracking new book from our Geoff!
PRESS RELEASE - January 2022
Cruel Deflections is the stunning new novel from Geoff Brown; which will be published on 24 January 2022 by TSL Books:
- ISBN for the paperback is 978-1-914245-57-2
- ISBN ebook is 978-1-914245-59-6.
It’s the mid nineteen-seventies when Luca Vento, an idealistic young lawyer uncovers endemic corruption in Puglia in the heel of Italy. He flees his homeland before the Camorra can silence him, settling in Edinburgh and becoming a successful restaurateur.
Nearly four decades later Luca and his daughters are embroiled in a huge international police operation to nail the head of the same mafia clan and his collaborator, a prominent UK businessman. A female executive headhunter plays a dangerous role as the story unfolds. A shocking revelation sets the scene for a startling finale.
The novel chronicles a cycle of betrayal, revenge, retribution and redemption and how chance events can hijack lives and spin them away from what seemed to be their set course.
“A complex and intriguing novel. I was carried along by the compelling storyline and a real desire to know how it would all end.” Michael J Lansdown author of Adam’s Lock and The Land Beyond the Seas.
“An exciting read with lots of setting detail and insights into Mafia operations…what a tour de force.” Brian Bold author of Quota, Roadworks and The Extra Miles.
“Great pacy opening and sense of local colour, place, food and atmosphere…really compelling and unusual storyline.” Judy Mcinerney author of The Pumilio child.
“The writing is very readable and the ‘voice’ is clear and confident…” Rory Scarfe, Publisher, The Blair Partnership.
“I really enjoyed Cruel Deflections…characters, location and plot are all convincing. I recently read a Montalbano and this book more than stands comparison.” Nick Brookman, Book Club leader.
About the Author:
Geoff Brown was born in Lancaster. After graduating with an MA in Modern History from Sidney Sussex College Cambridge, he had a business management career before spending thirteen years as a partner in Heidrick and Struggles a leading global headhunting firm. Geoff is widely travelled with a particular love of Italy which he has visited dozens of times. He is a member of Watford Writers. Geoff lives with his Danish wife in Hertfordshire.
Mike celebrates his second book in the Trilogy
Press Release - 1 December 2021
This month sees the eagerly awaited publication of The Land Beyond the Seas by Watford based writer, Michael J Lansdown.
The book, the second in a planned trilogy, brings our fifteen-year-old hero William Parker, face to face with thieves, murderers and enemies of the state in a sweeping tale that travels the globe from Georgian England to Britain’s fledgling Australian colony. Following in the footsteps of Adam’s Lock published in 2017, Mike delivers a heart rendering and soul-searching story of the harshness and realities of survival in the age of Redcoats.
Mike, a member of Watford Writers, is a PGCE tutor and MA in education supervisor with the University of Buckingham’s education department, a position he has held since retiring from his second Headship in 2015. Prior to completing 18 years as a Headteacher, Mike worked in London teaching in both the primary and secondary sectors. Before this, Mike taught English as a foreign language (EFL) to adults in London and in Sweden; however, he started his career teaching geography, geology and physical education to secondary pupils.
Mike says,
“Having left William languishing in a boat, newly arrived from London, facing an uncertain future as a fifteen-year-old convict, I felt I had to go back and help him in his bid for survival! In the Land Beyond the Seas, I tell his story as he goes from callow youth to young man, negotiating the rules and expectations of the Colony, most unwritten, where the greatest dangers come not from the authorities but from your fellow prisoners. William’s story is one of stoic resistance, of knowing which battles are worth fighting, and, above all, of holding onto those things that you hold dear and believe in. I hope I leave him in a better place and that all his trials and tribulations have been worth it – but that is for the reader to decide.”
The Land Beyond the Seas is published by TSL Books
AN EVENING WITH WATFORD WRITERS VIA ZOOM!
With thanks to our guest speaker on 22 November 2021, Graham Whitlock.
ANTHOLOGY: EYE SPY - FEATURING OUR JOHN WARD
Watford Writers' very own John Ward is featured in a new collection of short stories and poems entitled: Eye Spy.
The book is the 5th anthology resulting from the Bournemouth Writing Prize annual competition. John, who has recently moved to Bournemouth, has contributed 'The Red Shoes' which was a firm favourite at Watford Writers.
Congratulations to John and indeed all the writers who have contributed.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON PURCHASING A COPY or on the image right.
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS!
Memories of Watford Writers at Cha Cha's in Cassiobury Park (c.2010).
THE EXTRA MILES - NOW AVAILABLE!
Ten years after I published ROAD WORKS, a nostalgic travel memoir told through the prism of family car journeys over forty years, I’ve co-written a sequel, THE EXTRA MILES – on roads still to travel.
Not so many cars this time, and just ten years of travels, but lots of wry humour from my co-writer and travelling companion, Anne-Marie. For all of us, every journey is a personal experience and we relate ours together with over hundred coloured pictures.
We hope you’ll enjoy riding with us across England, Ireland, Scotland, France and New Zealand perhaps recalling some of your own visits and maybe discovering new places you want to explore.
THE EXTRA MILES by Brian Bold with Anne-Marie Groves is currently available as a paperback from www.lulu.com and hopefully soon from Amazon too.
OPEN LEARN - FREE WRITING and POETRY COURSES
What is Poetry?
Have you always wanted to try to write poetry but never quite managed to start? This free course, What is poetry?, is designed to illustrate the techniques behind both the traditional forms of poetry and free verse. You will learn how you can use your own experiences to develop ideas and how to harness your imagination.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Writing What You Know
Do you want to improve your descriptive writing? This free course, Writing what you know, will help you to develop your perception of the world about you and enable you to see the familiar things in everyday life in a new light. You will also learn how authors use their own personal histories to form the basis of their work.
Creative Writing and Critical Reading
This free course, Creative writing and critical reading, explores the importance of reading as part of a creative writer’s development at the postgraduate level. You will gain inspiration and ideas from examining other writers’ methods, as well as enhancing your critical reading skills. Examples will cover the genres of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and scriptwriting.
Form and Uses of Language
In this free course, Form and uses of language, we will consider how language can be used in different ways for different purposes. To do this we will use the theme of memorial and commemoration. In the first section we briefly discuss the life of the poet Siegfried Sassoon before examining both his poetry and his prose. Through this we will see how Sassoon conveys meaning in different ways for different audiences using different forms. Following this we discuss more generally how different meanings can be conveyed using prose and poetic language.
Start Writing Fiction
Start Writing Fiction - Characters and Stories
This free course, Start writing fiction: characters and stories, helps you to get started with your own fiction writing. It provides a practical, hands-on approach, focusing on the central skill of creating characters. You will listen to established writers talk about how they started writing and consider the rituals of writing and the importance of keeping a journal. You'll learn how to develop your ideas and the importance of reflecting on writing and editing, and you'll hear other writers talking about their approaches to research and consider ways of turning events into a plot.
This course is intended for those with an interest in starting to write fiction or improving their fiction writing, and does not require any previous experience of studying this subject.
For a complete list of all the Open Learn Courses
A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION
Long term supporter of Watford Writers is Linda Spurr who has written a super beginner's guide to writing fiction.
25 chapters cover everything from the reason to write, forming an idea and taking this right through all the important stages to editing and finishing.
Linda was a journalist for newspapers and the BBC for 20+ years, specialising in sport. Linda then became a freelance travel writer for magazines. Now she write novels and a writing blog.
Linda's novel Pathway To the Gods was shortlisted in the Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize four years ago. Read here for details.
A Beginner's Guide to Writing Fiction is a must for all those who write fiction.
MSt in Writing for Performance
Calling all playwriters in the group
You may be interested to know about this course being offered by Cambridge University's Institute of Continuing Education:
MSt in Writing for Performance
The Master of Studies (MSt) in Writing for Performance is designed for postgraduate students who wish to develop high-level theoretical skills, and a vibrant and innovative creative practice within writing for a range of performance mediums. Writing for Performance is defined as scripts for theatre, film/TV, radio drama, comedy, or text for performance art/poetry/installations, and for digital platforms. The programme aims to facilitate experimental creative writing practices, while developing students’ ability to think conceptually about performance theories, histories, traditions and forms.
HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY WATFORD WRITERS!
Hard to believe that this week Watford Writers will reach it’s 16th Birthday!
Thank you to Louise Welland who made this great cake shown in the photograph above. We managed to distribute a piece to the majority of the group (who live locally) before Monday night’s Valentine and Birthday evening, along with a candle and holder. So we all lit our candles, sang happy birthday and then ate the cake, or at least those that had resisted eating it during the day were able to! We followed with readings from our favourite poets or our own poems, short stories and even a love song, then two great quizzes. Some really moving and thought provoking writing . We went over time and finished up nearer to 10.00pm, but it was OK, nobody had to drive home after a couple of drinks! Thank you to everyone for my birthday wishes as well.
WATFORD CELEBRATED IN VERSE
Watford Writers very own Jan Rees celebrates our wonderful town with her specially written prose. To see this excellent presentation and hear Jan's superb recital performance:
POETRY WORKSHOP - CONNECTING FROM HOME
Poet-in-Residence, Dan Simpson is holding a series of creative poetry workshops, connecting you to the cathedral, the world - and yourself...
Broadcasting from a hidden space in St Albans Cathedral, you'll see the building in a new light and reflect on your own meaningful spaces. Dan will take you from inspiring poetry through to accessible prompts, guiding you to generating your own writing - with the chance to share back. Dan creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that will allow you to tap into your creativity and express yourself uniquely.
WATFORD WRITERS' CHRISTMAS PANTOS!
On 21 December, Watford Writers got together in festive mood and presented a set of pantos like no other... oh no they didn't... oh yes they did.
CLICK ON THE TREE TO RIGHT TO SEE ALL THE FUN
We celebrate the publication of Susan's book
A THANKLESS CHILD
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGIANA JANE HENDERSON (1771 - 1850)
This book provides a flavour of a period of history known as the Enlightenment through the eyes of a young girl born in 1771. Georgiana Jane Henderson (nee Keate) was known to actors, actresses, artists, naval men, emigres and even a South Sea islander and visited England's spa towns. She had her portrait painted by Angelica Kauffman RA and John Russell RA.
Meet The Author
Susan Bennett MA is an Honorary Faculty Fellow at Brighton University; and Honorary Secretary of and Editor for The William Shipley Group for RSA History. Susan is also a dedicated member of Watford Writers .
It's a double congratulations to Mike
Mike Lansdown has achieved "Runner-Up" position in this year's Hertfordshire Year of Culture Friends and Family creative writing competition. His poem, entitled Welcome to the Family was highly praised by the judges who commented: ‘Welcome to the Family was wonderfully ambitious with a truly panoramic reach. There were some memorable lines - 'Antecedent and ancestral, Antediluvian' which demonstrated a real love of language.’
TO READ MIKE'S POEM - PLEASE CLICK HERE
As a runner up, Mike's poem, along with that of the winner and the other shortlisted entry will become part of Herts Memories the Online Community Archive. The results of the competition will also be announced in the Year of Culture September newsletter for September which will include a copy of the three shortlisted entries.
Mike has also been recognised this month for his work with 'Penn Pushers' - a writing group focussing on autobiographies at Mill End Community Centre. Mike was presented with a Volunteer's Medal by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.
Many congratulations Mike from all of us at Watford Writers.
THE FIRST LIE by A J Park - out on 25 June 2020
Watford Writers welcomed Karl Vadaszffy back in February, who kindly told us about his writing career and the stages that led to the successful publication of his book The First Lie,
(written using his pen name: A.J. Park) in 2019.
The paperback is to be published on 25 June 2020.
For a summary of Karl's evening with us, please scroll below to the News Item.
Signed copies of The First Lie, written by A.J. Park, are available to order from Chorleywood Bookshop @CWBookshop
Priced at £8.99 (collection can be in person or postal cost is £2.80). Telephone: (01923) 283566 Email: info@cwbookshop.co.uk
Published: 25th June 2020.
NATIONAL POETRY LIBRARY
National Poetry Library have a large collection of brilliant, moving, funny and groundbreaking poems that you can read online, as well as a quote-finding service.
Well worth a look and signing up to their newsletter.
