A SUMMER MEDLEY – Creative Writes

A Whitstable stone from the weekend

Could this be it, could summer finally have arrived? I thought I would celebrate the sunshine and share my Summer Medley with you…

It’s been a busy time and for obvious reasons – rather strange. I won’t go into politics here but I have felt that the world has tipped and nothing feels quite right. There has however been positive experiences arise from the chaos – a student who I hadn’t seen for a while, got in touch and asked me to help her write her blog post. We had met at the Creative Writes Blogs Etc Workshops about three years ago and with the Referendum/Brexit she she had found the inspiration she was waiting for. It was an honour to work with her on this and here is Meike’s published blog post. We will be continuing to work together:

https://medium.com/@meike.brunkhorst/london-love-letter-2c1305b348d#.vccujgmmn

The uncertainty and unsettled feelings around me are present every day at the moment but it has also encouraged me to appreciate those moments of calm and simple pleasures, such as a day trip to the beach with two of my closest friends; the way my nephew makes me laugh and when memories of something he has said pops into my head as I go about my day – a huge smile spreads across my face; Birthday lunches and dinners with family and friends – appreciating each other’s company; the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition at the Tate Modern…Here is a quote from this inspiring and versatile artist. I loved the show:

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” Georgia O’Keeffe

I found a collection of Christina Rossetti’s poetry at my dad’s house recently so took it home and shared some of the poems with a group I work with regularly in a Care Home , which they really enjoyed. I then returned to the wonderful trunk (below) which is full of more and more surprises each time and I discovered this illustrated Christina Rossetti poem, which I was able to show them today – they loved it. The trunk belonged to Mrs Cecil Chesterton – the founder of Central & Cecil (C&C) housing trust, who I freelance for on a regular basis (I am currently involved in a special Arts Council Funded Project, which will culminate with a site specific performance/installation to celebrate International Older People’s Day and C&C’s 90th Birthday in the Autumn).

Inspiration has also come my way from the poetry of Raymond Carver and EE Cummings recently, which my groups have also taken great delight in. Here are some favourite lines/verse:

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

From EE Cummings – [i carry your heart with me (i carry it in]

NEW CREATIVE WRITES WORKSHOP DATES – CENTRAL MUSWELL HILL
Full details and booking here:
https://www.creativewrites.co.uk/p/bookings-workshop-info-how-to-book.html

Weekly Wednesdays
Block of three Workshops, 7.30-9.30pm;
7th, 14th & 21st September 2016
The Creative Writes blocks of workshops give you the time and space to build your skills and confidence. Nichola will guide you through a series of fun, fast paced creative writing exercises, covering a range of content. As with all Creative Writes Workshops, we will begin with ourselves – telling our stories and developing our own voice.

September 2016 Weekend: ‘Treasure Box – Write Your Legacy’
Saturday 24th September 2-6pm & Sunday 25th September 3-5pm
At the heart of Creative Writes is the belief that writing forms an integral part of your personal legacy. Join us for this brand new weekend of workshops, where you will have the opportunity to create your own treasure box of written memories, hopes and dreams – along with objects and photos which are important to you, if you would like to include these. Nichola will guide you through fast paced writing exercises, which will help you build the material. Further information will be sent on booking. No previous writing experience is needed.

Themed Workshops 2016, 7.30-9.30pm (you can book one, two, or all three!)
As with all Creative Writes Workshops, you will be guided through a series of fast paced writing exercises. No previous creative writing experience is needed. Each Themed Workshop gives you a way in to a different and inspiring world:
5th October – Keys
19th October – Colour As Writing Inspiration
2nd November – Myriad of Objects

Bye for now,

Nichola x