A LETTER FROM THE LOFT – Creative Writes

Nichola Charalambou
Director, Creative Writes
photo by http://www.amandaeatwell.com/

A letter from the loft

Hello,

I hope the summer has treated you well.

I write this letter to you from the loft…(pictured here). It’s my mum’s loft, where my books and a whole bunch of other stuff are being stored at the moment. Last month, I unexpectedly had to leave the flat I moved into last year due to safety issues. As you can imagine, it was incredibly unsettling. While the catalogue of disasters presented themselves, I found that aside from the tremendous support from family, friends and neighbours, it was the focus that I applied to my work and the energy from my workshop members that provided me with the strength to deal with it all.

I work in a wide range of settings with diverse participants. Aside from the ongoing research and planning – in a typical week I can deliver creative writing workshops and reading groups (& masterclasses) in care homes, sheltered housing schemes, community centres and my regular venue in Muswell Hill. I travel all over and beyond London. During the sessions, wherever they are and whoever they are with – the way in which I communicate is key. I need to find ways of engaging those that may be living with dementia, hard of hearing, nervous about writing or sharing their work, experiencing personal problems etc. In order to do this, I have to think fast – often adapt my plan and stay calm. While it demands a great deal of energy, I always feel stronger afterwards because the amount I gain from the writing, conversations, interactions and the building of relationships far outweighs the investment.

Here is some feedback from a C&C (Central & Cecil) Scheme Manager at a Sheltered Housing Scheme for older people that I deliver regular creative writing workshops for:

I continually find the group’s creativity amazing & the support from Nichola has enabled tenants who didn’t think they would be able to write, to produce some fantastic work. I’m privileged to be able to hear their pieces as they are read out to the group. TH, August 2015

I am gearing up for the new season of Creative Writes workshops in Muswell Hill, N10, with a block of five Wednesday evening workshops, monthly Monday evening Themed Workshops and a block of three December workshops on Wednesday evenings. The focus for all workshops is on making creative writing accessible and motivating you with a series of fast paced writing exercises. Over the years, I have learnt how important it is for our writers to find their own voice. We are all looking to leave our legacy in some way, whether that be through telling our own story or fiction, creating a poem or writing prose. I am confident, after years of writing, reading and teaching that Creative Writes can help you do this. The writing and feedback over the years confirms the importance of providing a safe, supportive environment and looking more at the process of writing itself, rather than the critique:

Thank you for allowing me to share myself in a safe and respectful environment. DP, June 2015

The monthly Themed Workshops include Colour as Writing Inspiration and here is a comment from a participant;

Thanks for a great workshop on colour last night! I was amazed at how my writing came to life through using colour as an inspiration. It was as if the colour was an anchor, helping me to paint a very specific picture. At the same time, I was amazed how far we could go with a particular colour as a starting point. With colour as a doorway, I was able to include many levels of the imagination: memory, mythical stories, and collective associations. It was like opening a treasure box and discovering all sorts of wonderful things inside. I know that the techniques we explored will be very useful in my writing! DB, October 2014

Muswell Hill Workshop

Summer Surgery, Muswell Hill

All workshops take place in central Muswell Hill, N10 at our inspiring regular venue, 7.30-9.30pm (unless stated otherwise). The new Creative Writes workshop programme for the remainder of 2015 is as follows:

– Block of five October/November Wednesday evening workshops;
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th October & 4th November 2015
This new block of five workshops will enable us to cover a range of form and content, including memoir and fiction, guiding you through a series of fast paced writes. As with all Creative Writes workshops, we will start with personal story.

– Monthly Themed Workshops on Monday evenings;
5th October, Creating Character – We will create believable & interesting characters, taking inspiration from our own lives, images, literature and a range of prompts. Creating Character is part of our regular programme of Themed Workshops and is one of our most popular.

2nd November, Colour As Writing Inspiration – Colour is an exciting way in to new writing, aswell as enriching existing work. Content includes poetry, prose and memoir.

7th December, Myriad of Objects – Objects enable us to develop our descriptive writing and story telling, using real, remembered and imaginary objects.

– Block of three December Wednesday evening workshops;
2nd, 9th & 16th December 2015
As with our five week blocks, we will cover a range of content using fast paced, free flow exercises.

Creative Writes Masterclasses & Skype workshops run all year. Please email info@creativewrites.co.uk for further details and to arrange a time that suits you.

Please click here for further information and to book your place: https://www.creativewrites.co.uk/p/bookings-workshop-info-how-to-book.html

The Creative Writes video explains how we work and shares testimonials from some of our participants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RsbC4yYLJ4

Thanks for reading & thanks to Amanda Eatwell for the new photos! I look forward to seeing you at a workshop soon. Your comments are welcome.

Bye for now,

Nichola x

Nichola Charalambou
Director, Creative Writes
photo by http://www.amandaeatwell.com/