The Word Cloud

... of any writing workshops, drop in sessions or anything like that which doesn't actually cost?

I want to go to the York festival but I don't have any money at all.

Does anybody know of any writing workshops or a free festival or anything like that where you can get the same experience but without having to pay

Thanks

It sounds like a great idea Jdodd, and perhaps the sort of thing the Arts Council should be funding. Currently I only know of Winchester and York Festivals, which are both too expensive for people like yourself, catering instead for established authors and middle-class housewives. A no-frills festival aimed at new writers is an exciting thought.

Might be worth keeping an eye on your local library service, Jdodd - they sometimes have sessions. And local adult education places are heavily subsidised for various categories of people, so that might be worth a look.

Emma

Yeah its a shame they don't have free events - I was hoping there might be drop in sessions or annual writer's events with stalls and workshops etc ha ha. My local library is on the verge of closing unfortunately Emma so I don't think i'll get any joy there. I guess the Word Cloud is my best resource for the time being

The other thing to look for is a terrestrial cloud - your local writers' circle, for example. Sad news about the library - horribly common, though. They are a place to look for writers' circles and so on, while they're still there. And it's not the same, but there are always the how-to-write books. Which libraries have if you don't want to buy one.

Actually, I've just had a brilliant (?) thought: how about hitching up with a local writers' circle, and once you're settled in, suggesting that the whole group works its way through one of the more structured how-to-write books? That way, you'd have the structure and exercises designed by a pro, plus the workshopping and mutual support of a group.

That sounds like a really good idea Emma - I would definately have to try that! Although I fear that I may be the only literate person in this entire town (Billingham) I have yet to come across anyone who has an interest in reading, writing or anyone who has actually read a book to the end!

How does one go about finding a local writers' circle?

Look on the library noticeboard, quick, while it's still there!

Also, in my experience, the noticeboard in any alternative-minded cafés and the like: there's often a card about a circle who wants members, buried among the cards about crystal healing and anti-vivisection marches. I don't know County Durham very well - where's your nearest studently town, to breed such cafés? Writers circles tend only to meet once a month or so, so it doesn't have to be on the doorstep to be possible.

And have a look here: http://www.nawg.co.uk/ at the National Association of Writers Groups.

Do any towns or villages near you have an online forum? You could always ask on there if anyone knows anyone. If there isn't an established one you might be able to join up with a few like-minded souls.

Also try your local FE college and other community-minded places: they sometimes host these things for free or not very much, I think, even if there's no teaching involved, if they can say that it has community benefits.

And there should be an Arts Development Officer at the council - they might be able to help.

Meant to say, I hope some of that helps.

It can seem really baffling, and/or frustrating trying to find support and so on while you're trying to develop as a writer, when you don't have any cash to spare.

Though I guess we're an awful lot better off than people struggling in most other arts in that what we do and how we grow costs peanuts: we're better suited to the online world than any other, there's no paint or bronze to pay for, no daily 'class', no one-to-one violin lessons. No violin, come to that. I wrote three novels and got to the encouraging-rejection stage, for the price of three how-to-write books (which I could have got from the library) and an awful lot of paper.

Emma

I'll have to look into that, thanks for all your help.

As for studently towns - The only ones I can think of off the top of my head is Durham or Newcastle. Next time I'm out and about there I'll have to have a look out for noticeboards.

I think there is a new FE being built in Hartlepool (round the corner really) I will have a look there as well.

I know what you mean about us being better off than others. I'm also a musician (guitar, drums and piano) and my lessons, instruments etc used to cost an awful lot!

I've never tried my hand at drawing/painting as the best of my ability comes in the form of a stickman!

But you've given me a lot of options to pursue , I'll have to keep you updated

Thanks again!

Most unis run continuing education courses that will cover some kind of creative writing. The quality is patchy, but the best are v good.

Thanks Harry

How much will that cost though?

I've asked a friend who lives in County Durham. She may post an answer later.

Hi Jdodd,

Thanks for the help Rebecca. I will definately have to look into this

Some American authors do an online conference calle Writeoncon. I think the website is writeoncon.com

You don't get the full conference experience, but you can talk to agents and read lots of webinars and stuff. But it's mostly American.

Thanks Claire I will definately have a look into that

I dont mind if its American so it should be a good experience

If you can't find a local group, why not start one yourself? The group I belong to started ten years ago with a single person putting cards in coffee shops. We now have 200+ people on the mailing list!

Also, you can gets lots of free advice online (though should check the source as some are inevitably better than others). The Writers' Workshop free advice pages are very useful, as are many of the writing blogs. Start by checking the ones linked to on the Cloud home page (top right).

Good luck!

It sounds like a great idea Jdodd, and perhaps the sort of thing the Arts Council should be funding. Currently I only know of Winchester and York Festivals, which are both too expensive for people like yourself, catering instead for established authors and middle-class housewives. A no-frills festival aimed at new writers is an exciting thought.

Haha - I'm niether an established author or a Middle-class housewife!!!!! ;-)

Nor am I – but I wouldn't want to be dismissed by my gender and parenting role if someone had placed me in that bracket for whatever reason.

Mighty Jock/John - That particular person has been banging on about the price of the Festival for ages and his ignorance seems to know no boundaries.