Writing from Life Workshops

Chris runs these small, friendly and encouraging groups weekly in the Autumn and Spring terms each year, in mid Surrey. They are designed to be enjoyable for writers of any ability, including complete beginners. There is some writing on the spot but normally no 'homework'. They run for two hours.
The one on Wednesday mornings is full for this term

The one on Monday evenings has changed to Thursday evenings this term and has a couple of spaces. £65 for the nine-week term - email Chris if you are interested.

 Write On Groups

Chris runs two small six-weekly groups in mid-Surrey for people with on-going writing projects such as novels. If you are interested, email Chris to find out more. Currently one group has a space.

Here is the concept:

The idea is that we meet about 6-weekly at a mutually convenient time – which is normally on a week-night evening, 8-10pm. We used to book these 2 ahead but are now trying to book several at a time and pay for those up front at the rate of £8.00 a session.

Before we meet everyone takes an extract from their work not exceeding 1500 words and (first time only) writes a half page synopsis stating scope, purpose, intended readership etc  People email this to each of the others in the group, plus Chris, at least a week before we meet. It's a case of 'no excuses barring death!' or the whole thing wouldn't work – people learn from criticising one another's work constructively as well as receiving crits. Plus deadlines are what people say they need to motivate them to actually write something.

When we meet everyone gets an equal tranche of time (eg 15 mins if the max 7 are there) and we all criticise, encourage, suggest markets etc. It seems to work well. Individuals are usually writing very different things which makes for an interesting evening. Group members tend to become very supportive of one another (some even meet to write together between sessions and there are occasional, optional, meals out too.) The support pays off when people hit the inevitable 'my book is complete rubbish and I'm throwing it in the bin' moment/s.

Summer writing days

Well, it’s not summer! More in July/August...

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