CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: OPEN MIKE

Chengdu: Bookworm Literary Festival


Participants past and present in the Bookworm Creative Writing Workshop will read on Wednesday March 19 as their contribution to the Literary Festival.

At the Workshop we do two kinds of writing: at each session I introduce a special short writing exercise, which the members do on the spot, after which each person reads his or her piece of writing. The listeners then comment on each person’s writing, asking questions, making suggestions or just giving a personal response.

The second type of writing is a longer story, done over a period of nine weeks. Currently the story we are writing is entitled THE STORY OF AMANDA CRIMSON. Each week I announce a new chapter title. Chapter One, for instance, is “Red Lipstick.” Everyone uses the same chapter title but beyond that each story is unique. The chapters are loosely rather than tightly joined but in the ninth week we draw the story to a conclusion. Shortly thereafter I introduce a new story title, and again each week provide chapter titles.

On the 19th, members will read something from one or the other of these two forms of writing. Some chapters in the long story are quite short and suitable for oral presentation. The weekly exercises are limited to a page, maximum. We hope to encourage anyone interested in improving his or her writing to join us at the weekly meeting. All kinds of writing and writers are welcome. The workshop is not restricted to poetry or fiction: the emphasis is upon writing per se. This enables anyone to benefit, even from attending a single session. Each week we focus on an aspect of good writing practice.

We usually begin with a question period, dealing with any particular problem someone may be having in writing.

Writing is a rather lonely form of artistic expression. Having a chance to meet other writers, and to get some immediate response to one’s own writing, as well as make responses to other people’s work, is a unique and important opportunity. The atmosphere at the Writing Workshop is open, friendly, informal and informative. Come join us and see for yourself!

Allen Sutterfield