Creative Writing Workshop at Tatton Park

‘Plans and Strategies’

19th February 2020

 

 

A special opportunity to gain creative writing inspiration and guidance from successful playwright and former Cheshire poet laureate, Joy Winkler. Of this workshop, Joy said: “The first workshop of the year so a good time to look at our own plans and strategies for what we want to achieve in our creative writing in 2020. We will look at how to plan and organise a writing project and at techniques to help keep us motivated and focused. To get us going we will use some fun exercises as a kick-start.” Intended for adult visitors. This event must be pre-booked and includes park entry admission on the day of the workshop.  

Times: 10:30 – 4:00pm

Price: £18 per person (park entry included)

Booking:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-writing-workshop-plans-and-strategies-with-joy-winkler-at-tatton-park-tickets-89260006081?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR2_lFo5GLiykL6awMxLLBfRPcMzWLTD4yT-qAQHvRe3j3CJ2TJdKKM_WT8

If you have any queries about this event, please contact the Education Office on 01625 374428 or at tattoneducation@cheshireeast.gov.uk

The following dates and themes are also in 2020 – Details will be updated when booking goes live

 

Who will bring the magic wand? – Wednesday 22nd April 2020

In this workshop we will have a look at magic realism, sometimes called fabulism.  We will explore how we can use our realistic view of the world while also adding magical elements that may be referenced by fables, myths and allegory or by using the supernatural.

Challenging the form – Tuesday 19^th May 2020

Our language and our ways of expression are constantly changing and renewing themselves.  In this workshop we will look at how to use contemporary terminology and style as tools to sculpt vibrant poetry that hangs on the shape of traditional poetic forms.

Dancing with the Leaves – Wednesday 10^th June 2020

I was once told that when making tea I should pour water onto the leaves and watch them dance.  Tea was to be served with love.  In this workshop we will take tea as a theme looking at the comfort in a cuppa as well as the ceremony of it, the memories it engenders and even the portent when reading our future in the dregs.

Where sea meets sky – Saturday 18^th July 2020

Every good piece of creative writing needs a convincing landscape, a backdrop to its drama.  In this workshop we will look at how some of the most successful writers have achieved this and go on to adopt and adapt their methods and techniques to our own work.

In touch with the dark side – Wednesday 12^th August 2020

It’s always a good idea to look at popular themes and ideas.  In this workshop we will look at the genres of murder, crime, thriller and horror.  What makes a page-turner?  What are the protocols for paragraph length, chapter structure? What gives the reader goose bumps? How can we engage with our darker side to write this kind of compelling fiction?

Fighting with conflict and tension – Wednesday 30th September 2020

A good read contains many problems, disputes, struggles to be resolved and overcome.  We wouldn’t have it any other way.  But how do we achieve this?  In this workshop we will explore how to set up conflict and how not to resolve it too easily but to keep the tension taut and keep the reader turning the page.

These boots were made for walking – Tuesday 20th October 2020

It’s good to look outside the perceived technicalities of writing sometimes and just think about a random theme.  This workshop takes the theme of boots and shoes – who is wearing them, are they new or worn out, what colour or style, how much did they cost, where are they going?  There are many questions we could ask the writer and each answer leads to a story.

Three additional half day workshops potentially to take place in the Japanese Gardens during August 2020. 

Thursday 6^th August – Haiku and Hiabun

Thursday 20^th August – Waka/Tanka

Thursday 27^th August – Renga and Mondo