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:

1. What is is about?

When reading a piece, try and interpret it. What is the theme, what do you think it is about? Summarize for the writer's benefit as much as yours. Have they communicated what they wanted to? If a piece is not understood properly, the author needs to know. It could be a misunderstanding on your part but there could also be areas which the author could work on.


2. What works well?

What is working well in the piece? Is it the imagery, the detail, etc? Point out the writer's strengths as they will then be able to absorb any criticism more readily. 


3. What are the weaknesses?

Any criticism must be constructive. What are the weaknesses in the writing? Your job is to point out the flaws not necessarily fix them. Don't just say this is ' no good', say it doesn't quite work for you and then explain why. Give specific examples. Be objective. The subject  matter might not be your cup of tea, the theme might have some personal significance but you are not critiquing that, you are critiquing the work itself. You may have the opposite view to the writer, do not share their views on politics, religion, sex, etc but this should not cloud your  judgement.