TRACES: Words and Image Workshop

Suitable for all adult learners with a love of the written word who are willing to experiment with different media to push their creativity. There are many examples of popular writers who use a particular location as a springboard for developing their writing, from Ian Rankin’s Edinburgh to Monica Ali’s Brick Lane, Ted Hughes’s Todmorden, Emily Bronte’s Howarth and Halifax…

How can writers take a specific real life location and transform it into the magical space of prose, poetry or drama? Can working with images help in this process of transformation? By looking at some of the buildings represented in Craven Arts exhibition, Traces, this 3 hour workshop will examine the idea of history, visual appearance and location to develop backgrounds and ideas for creative writing.

Could e.g. Skipton station be scene of a crime story? Could the Red Lion pub become the setting of a piece of historical fiction? Maybe an aspect of the castle could inspire a poem? Participants will produce a piece of original writing as well as working with visual media to respond to the rhythm, colour and dramatic temperature of their written piece.

Work produced during the workshop, with the agreement of participants will be put on temporary display at Craven Arts House.

Workshop Objective: To begin an original piece of creative writing – either a poem, short story, piece of creative non fiction or play and an image responding to and developing their writing.

Required Materials: Pens/pencils and paper for writing.

First draft writing tends to be far more intuitive when completed by hand; subsequent drafts can be via digital means. Some basic art materials will be provided but do bring along your preferred media.

Bring along a snack and drink. Coffee and tea are available.

About your Tutor Nicola Hill: Dr Nicola Hill worked for many years as a Creative Writing lecturer for the Open University teaching both undergraduates and graduates. She has published novels and short stories and has a PhD in Creative writing. She is passionate about encouraging new and experienced writers to develop and share their work and has run creative writing workshops in many different venues from museums and art galleries to prisons, care homes and schools. She has also worked as an academic consultant with the OU and BBC on programs such as Andrew Marr’s 2017 BBC TV series ‘Sleuths, spies and sorcerers’.