Keep Up the Great Work ...

Great session Saturday!  We continued to look at play-writing and ways to get ideas. I haven't had the chance yet to read any of the assignments but what I have seen of their efforts has impressed me no end.

Play-writing is not very easy if you are new to it and in all honesty I have seen several of the younger members struggle with this one.  The good thing is that they are confident enough to tell me if they don't get something and that makes me feel very reassured, as the last thing I want to do is alienate them or scare them off by making demands on their creativity which are out of their league. All credit to them though for giving it their best shot.  That shows enthusiasm and determination which would put a lot of grown-up people to shame so well done them!  I have seen just how hard they have worked and in fact, they have learned an important lesson because sometimes, we writers do get asked to write things that are out of our comfort zone!  So there you go.

I am going to introduce a new project this week which will, I hope, take us almost up to the summer holidays (it sounds like a long time but it is only actually around half a dozen sessions) and I think it is something they will particularly enjoy.  I will put a Plan Of Action together by Saturday's session when all will be revealed.

And yes, I did say Saturday's session.  I know it is unusual for the sessions to be held week on week but, because of other commitments I had to juggle the May dates to ensure the members get their two sessions in.  After this the next one will be on 16th May.  You should all have received your updates by now but if you haven't let me know.

Thanks due to Namoshi's parents for buying a copy of My Writer last week.  Don't forget to let me know if you would like a signed copy for your Writer and I will fetch it along to one of the next sessions; also PLEASE do let me know if your children's schools are holding fetes or fairs or table top sales over the coming months as I would be very happy to pay for a table so I can sell more copies.  And let your friends and relatives know about it.  Not only is it a romping good read, my hope is that it will inspire young writers (and those not so young) everywhere.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Good writing!

See You Saturday ...

Hope by now you have had all your dates for forthcoming sessions right up to Christmas.  I will be bringing extra copies along to Saturday's session so if you haven't had yours, or you can't find it, let me know and I'll give you another one.  Don't forget to also let me know if you'd like to purchase a signed copy of my book My Writer.  I have had one request already.

Just wanted to also remind everyone we have a session this Saturday, 25th April, same time, same place so please do come along

Will be winding down on play-writing over the next session or two.  I thought we'd try something else different which I'll tell you more about in due course.

See you Saturday the - looking forward to it!

Half An Hour At the Ideas Factory

Thank you to those who came along to today's session.  Falling in the wake of the Easter holidays, numbers were somewhat depleted.  But two of those who did turn up were new members Ibrahim and Daniel,  Big welcome to them and thank you for joining in your first session with such gusto!  And thanks to the two Mums who brought you along who'd seen my entry on Netmums!

Today we looked at play-writing.  We worked as a group.  Moving round the table, I asked each member a question like Where would the play be set?  What were the names of the characters?  What time of day?  Working round asking questions like this and then getting each member to imagine what they would say if the situation were real, they actually came up with a rather brilliant scenario! The story is that three children are playing in the school playground one sunny afternoon when a tremor topples a tree which catches one of the children as it falls.  Our three children were Daniel, Isaac and Evie.  Poor Isaac is the one who gets caught in the tree's branches and has a suspected broken leg.  Evie runs to fetch a teacher and Daniel stays and tries to calm the distressed Isaac.  When the teacher arrives, she calls an ambulance, Isaac is rescued and whisked off to hospital and the teacher calls his dad to let him know what has happened and the dad says he'll head straight to the hospital.

As I was relayed their ideas back to them in summary, their faces literally glowed with inspiration. This was their play, their characters, their story.  It was all their work - all I did was facilitate it. They looked absolutely chuffed at the end of the session and so they should.  I sent them home with the assignment to write the opening scene of the play in time for the session on April 25th!

Huge huge well done to everyone and I would love to see Daniel and Ibrahim return!  And I can hardly wait to read any assignments brought back.

See You Tomorrow

Don't forget we have a session for the Young Writers tomorrow at Ashburton Library between 9.30 ans 10.30.  Don't forget to bring along any completed assignments.  See you soon.

NEW DATES FOR SESSIONS

Hi everyone.  So pleased to tell you that the book is still selling steadily and I have a signing lined up in July so watch this space for further details.  Still looking at other opportunities and I will of course let you know when they come along.  Perhaps your child's school is holding a Spring or Summer Fair?  If you could let me know the date, I will see if I can book a table. Don't forget that if you did not buy a copy at the Book Launch, but would still like to purchase one, I am quite happy to bring them along with me whenever there is a Young Writers session - just let me know.  The books are £4.99 each..

Below please find the dates for Sessions from September to December this year.  These are subject to change and if that becomes necessary, I will ensure you get as much notice as possible. The dates are:

Saturday 5th September

Saturday 19th September

Saturday 3rd October

Saturday 17th October

Saturday 31st October

Saturday 14th November

Saturday 28th November

Saturday 12th December

The dates for January to April 2016 should be available before Christmas.

Finally I'd like to tentatively suggest - as long as the weather is with us - that the sessions booked for Saturday 16th May, take place at Ashburton Park near the swings.  There are some picnic tables there and we held a session there once before which went down very well.  Be nice to bring along some snacks and drinks and also any younger siblings.  The Session in The Park gives the Young Writers the opportunity to experience things from a new perspective - new sights, different sounds, textures and smells.   I will confirm this date with plenty of notice nearer the time.

Hoping you are all keeping well.  Have a lovely Easter and see you all on 11th April.