What are the workshops about?

The workshopping meetings give members a chance to read their prose and poetry within a supportive group, and to receive constructive criticism from other writers.
The meetings also offer members the opportunity to share information on upcoming events, competitions and successes!

"The workshop is not a competition, it's a place to have free and frank debate about what makes writing successful. Good workshop practice involves not only good writers but good readers, who like fiction for its own sake and are prepared to see through their own bias to what the work is trying to do." - Julia Bell, "The Creative Writing Coursebook"

How do they work?

Writers are allocated a 30 minute slot to use as they choose. Usually this entails bringing copies of their prose or poetry to the workshop. They read their piece/s and the other members then take a few quiet minutes to go over the work, marking up the writing with comments. This is followed by an honest discussion of the writing. Writers get to take home the copies of their work complete with the thoughts and comments of the other members of the group.

When do they happen?

Every month sometimes more frequently! Check out the homepage for details of the next session

How to get involved?

The group is always looking for new members who can bring something different and exciting to the workshops - essentially writers who are committed to their own writing, but also committed to learning and developing through constructive critiquing of other writer's work. You're welcome to come along and check it out. Bring a pen and paper with you.

Join us by emailing SaveAsWriters

How does it feel to read at a workshop?

from "The Creative Writing Coursebook" - edited by Julia Bell and Paul Magrs

Reading at a workshop for the first time is ...."like standing on the edge of a high diving board just before you jump off: a mixture of nerves, vertigo, exhilaration. you so want the work to be good, but by submitting it to criticism you are accepting that there is still something not right about it. A workshop is an acknowledgement of a reader's perspective, and admission that you are trying to communicate and that you might not be the best person to judge the effectiveness of your own work." - Julia Bell

Suggestions of ways of critiquing:

What do you think the piece is about? If you're confused, the writer needs to know.

What do you think the writer is hoping to achieve? Is this achieved?

What are you feeling? Why are you feeling this? Is this good or bad?

What are the strengths and weaknesses in the writing?
Your job is to point out the flaws not necessarily fix them - although gentle suggestions are always welcome and occasionally there's that magical moment when someone spots an element of genius in your writing that came about unintentionally.