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A short Writing Prompt from Alex

it’s the summer holidays and you may not get much writing done, so here is  A very short writing prompt.. write a paragraph  describing a character. Include at least one unusual detail about a habit that will inform the reader and give the character depth.

An example is Gaev in Chechov’s The Cherry Orchard. He keeps a tin of sweets in his pocket and when he wants to avoid a difficult conversation, he takes one out and sucks it. This detail is Chechov’s way of showing that Gaev is a nervous man, does not like confrontation  but also that he is a big baby, even though he is middle-aged.   

Have a go, and keep it in your notebook for when you want to write a longer piece.

 

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Writing Prompt..Write a short story

  Write a short story about finding something on the beach. Use as many of the senses as you can, sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. What was found? Where did it come from? What happened next?

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Two Memoir writing workshops

        

   Sorry, but we have sold out for the memoir workshops. Please add yourself to the email list if you want to be amongst the first to hear of any new workshops…  and if you would like to read my article about writing a memoir online, here is the link https://www.annabelandgrace.com/tag/writing-a-memoir/ 

Annabel & Grace is an online magazine for women over 50 and has some lovely recipes, fashion and various articles. All free, so recommend signing up.

Two memoir writing workshops in May with Alex and guest writer, Mary Griese.    

Dates and Time: Thursday mornings 10.30am-12.30 pm

19th and 26th May 2022

Venue: Hall & Woodhouse, 1 Old King Street Bath        Cost.  £52- Please note,  sorry but no refunds, however you can donate your place to a friend.

Please email to book and I will send you bank transfer details. Places are very limited and are only confirmed when payment is received.  

Over the two sessions, we will look at how to structure you memoir, how to gather info etc. with hands on writing exercises and lots of prompts.   If you are not writing a memoir, you can use the sessions to inspire  and motivate you, drawing ideas from your own life to write short stories or to create strong characters.

Beginners or experienced writers very welcome. Sessions are relaxed, fun and sociable.We look forward to hearing from you..  Alex

 

 

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CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP with ALEX AND MARY – ONE PLACE AVAILABLE DUE TO CANCELLATION.. PLEASE EMAIL ASAP. THURSDAY 21ST October 10.15am-12.15pm New Venue: Conscious Cafe, Bath cost: £20 sold out we may put on a couple more in early November so please register your interest by email. Same venue.

This two-hour workshop aims to get your writing flowing with hands-on exercises and prompts. Suitable for beginners and experienced writers, Alex and Mary hope to inspire you with some fresh ideas and get your pen moving across the paper. We hope to put on more workshops in November, but are dipping our toe in the water, or our pen in the ink. Conscious Cafe serves organic, ethically sourced food and drink and writers will get a 10% discount. Our room is upstairs, windows will be open (so bring something warm) and numbers are very limited. If you want to come, please email me and include your own email address if you do via website, and i will send you bank transfer details. Please note, as is our usual policy we do not give refunds, but you are welcome to give your place to a friend. We hope that you have been vaccinated, or are regularly testing. Covid is not going away and our philosophy is to simply take care, but get back to real life and meet like-minded people.

CONSCIOUS CAFE VENUE
Conscious Cafe http://www.consciouscafebar.co.uk check out the delicious menu and their ethos. If you haven’t read Mary’s book, Where Crows would die, take a look at my video interview on this website.
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ANTHOLOGY UPDATE February 2021. All profit is going to one of our favourite charities, Young Carers. BLINK OF AN EYE is now ready and is being posted out to all those who pre-ordered. If you would like a copy please email and see below.

BLINK OF AN EYE – 26 great stories. We have a few spare copies to buy. £5.50 a copy plus postage which is £1.53 for one or two. Payment is by bank transfer. If you would like a copy please email me with your address and i will see if we have any left. All profit is going to Young Carers charity, children who look after their parents or siblings who need a bit of care themselves.

As a project for this second lockdown, we invited you to submit a short story in any genre of up to 600 words. This was not a competition but we selected 26 of the best and published them in a booklet.

Below is the list of a dozen words. The story had to incorporate at least 5 of the words in any way you like. If you want to try this, give your story a catchy title

Here is the list of words – Remember to use a minimum of 5.

Bluebottle Clock Fur Lavender Train Ella Fitzgerald Nylon shirt High heels

Seaweed Turpentine Burnt Toast Bonfire

Ready, steady, GO… ENJOY! Alex writingeventsbath@gmail.com

Also, see the new video i made, in between lockdowns, of Rachel Ward and her new book – Expiry Date. Please scroll down.

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4 MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOPS – cancelled but will be held at a later date.

Im afraid this workshop is cancelled but I may do another workshop on the same theme later in the year, or next year – Please email if you would like to be on a list of interested people.

Meanwhile, Mary Griese, a favourite workshop leader, has had her first novel published by Y Lolfa and my conversation with her on video is below, so please scroll down, and get the book! It’s dark (Welsh Noir) beautifully written and a good read.

These workshops with Alex and her guest authors, are for anyone interested in writing a memoir, or wants to in use their own life as material in a novel or short stories. If you are writing fiction, the exercises will give you plenty of material for those telling details that bring a work alive.

We will do writing exercises to trigger memories, and look at examples of different types of memoir.

Just as in a novel we enjoy a beginning, middle and end, a memoir needs a structure. We will look at the different structures you can adopt to help shape your narrative and help you plan your project. Lots of hands-on creative writing exercises to get you going, or keep you going. Beginners and experienced writers very welcome.