Some of you may remember that I took part in an event at the Wakefield Lit Fest in September which was the result of several sessions with a group of local writers as we explored the new Wakefield Westgate station. My retrospective on the event can be found here.
Now the work has been published online and looks quite nifty, if I do say so myself. So, please, take a look at the pieces there by Steve, Nigel, Gregg, Daniel, Jimmy and Stefan and, if you're inclined, have a read of my pieces 'Ticket Machine' and 'Platform 1'. For a bonus, the picture of me that accompanies them is from when I still had long hair and has me almost smiling. Now that took some doing, as the photographer commented at the time. Seriously, though, they're all worth a read so consider taking a look.
Showing posts with label wakefield literature festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wakefield literature festival. Show all posts
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Monday, 29 September 2014
Westgate Writers: Retrospective
For the last couple of months I've been working with the Westgate Writers, a group chaired by writer Steve Dearden. The brief was to explore the train station: people were recruited by an ad in the Metro but I bumped into the call-out online and accessed it that way. I jumped at the chance because the relocation of Wakefield Westgate station fascinated me as I passed the construction site last year each time I went into town. It became a habit with me to note how it was going (and, truthfully) criticise various aspects. Although I don't use the station daily, I travel to Sheffield a fair bit and the simple act of demolishing the old station buildings has thrown up a lot of thoughts and feelings. Coupled with the shininess of the new station, this little patch of land down the bottom of Wakefield centre proved to be fertile territory for fiction.
As with all these things, I didn't know what to expect from the group. But it turned out really well. There were six of us plus Steve, a nice size that worked well for the final performance slot. We had a little fun with writing activities involving prompt cards, song lyrics and idea dice but what really came out was the amount of work you could connect to the station, As a place where you're in transit, of course, many stories could be planted onto that location without growing organically. We did a little of that but, for the most part, our stories grew out of the station itself. At one point another member of the group said that I really didn't like the new station because I kept criticising the change. Well, I'm back and forth on it but I do miss the markers of the old decrepit buildings, the same way you miss anything that's been a part of your life for so many years.
Our work came together on Saturday. The first half of the event was Steve discussing his project 'Wake Lost Wake Found, details of which can be found here, which was fascinating. Then the Westgate Writers got up and presented our work in a manner that mimicked like the transience of the train station. I read out two little pieces which I was quite proud of and, I'm told, the event was a success.
Working with the Westgate Writers has been brilliant. Talking about writing and listening to work isn't something I've done much of since my MA and it's ridiculously beneficial to my writing process and confidence apparently. So thank you to Daniel, Gregg, Jim, Nigel and Stefan for being part of it and especially thanks to Steve Dearden for being such an excellent chair. It's been a pleasure to work with you all.
As with all these things, I didn't know what to expect from the group. But it turned out really well. There were six of us plus Steve, a nice size that worked well for the final performance slot. We had a little fun with writing activities involving prompt cards, song lyrics and idea dice but what really came out was the amount of work you could connect to the station, As a place where you're in transit, of course, many stories could be planted onto that location without growing organically. We did a little of that but, for the most part, our stories grew out of the station itself. At one point another member of the group said that I really didn't like the new station because I kept criticising the change. Well, I'm back and forth on it but I do miss the markers of the old decrepit buildings, the same way you miss anything that's been a part of your life for so many years.
Our work came together on Saturday. The first half of the event was Steve discussing his project 'Wake Lost Wake Found, details of which can be found here, which was fascinating. Then the Westgate Writers got up and presented our work in a manner that mimicked like the transience of the train station. I read out two little pieces which I was quite proud of and, I'm told, the event was a success.
Working with the Westgate Writers has been brilliant. Talking about writing and listening to work isn't something I've done much of since my MA and it's ridiculously beneficial to my writing process and confidence apparently. So thank you to Daniel, Gregg, Jim, Nigel and Stefan for being part of it and especially thanks to Steve Dearden for being such an excellent chair. It's been a pleasure to work with you all.
(My post-event drinks with a little green friend courtesy of a big not-green friend)
Monday, 22 September 2014
Westgate Writers Event - This Saturday
This Saturday (27th September), I'll be taking part in an event at the Wakefield Lit Fest. I'm part of a small group of writers who have been working with Steve Dearden to create pieces which, as the brochure says, 'explore the new Westgate railway station in words'.
That brief was delightfully vague and we've all come up with some rather diverse work, linking to the station as well as other things. Some of it's humorous, some of it's a bit dark and, as yet, we don't quite know which of our little pieces we'll be showcasing. Steve has been an excellent chair, giving us crazy tasks to stimulate our creative brains. The other aspect of the event is presenting Steve's commission piece from last year's festival - 'Wakelost Wakefound'. Described as 'part online novella, part photo essay', more information can be found here.
The event is being held at The Orangery on the 27th between 3pm and 4:30pm. It's free and everyone's welcome. Look forward to seeing you there!
That brief was delightfully vague and we've all come up with some rather diverse work, linking to the station as well as other things. Some of it's humorous, some of it's a bit dark and, as yet, we don't quite know which of our little pieces we'll be showcasing. Steve has been an excellent chair, giving us crazy tasks to stimulate our creative brains. The other aspect of the event is presenting Steve's commission piece from last year's festival - 'Wakelost Wakefound'. Described as 'part online novella, part photo essay', more information can be found here.
The event is being held at The Orangery on the 27th between 3pm and 4:30pm. It's free and everyone's welcome. Look forward to seeing you there!
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Upcoming Event: Battle of the Books at Wakefield Literature Festival
I'm very excited to announce that I'll be organising and hosting the 'Battle of the Books' event on Sunday 29th September, 1-3 pm, at The Orangery. Thanks to a successful funding application (see below), I'm putting together what I hope will be an enjoyable afternoon.
Here's the premise.
Every participant will have five minutes to 'sell' their favourite book. Now, this can be a novel, work of non-fiction, poetry collection, play, graphic novel - whatever you want. All you have to do is make it sound good. That's easy, right? It's up to you what you decide to focus on. You could go with plot, character, design, wider meaning or anything that you find particularly endearing about your choice. The only rules are that you have to use your vocal powers of persuasion alone and you only have five minutes.
Aside from the glory (which is, of course, abundant), there will be prizes on the day following a secret vote to see who 'sold' their book best. Prizes will be drawn from local retailers making this a truly Yorkshire event.
And, just to sweeten the pot a little more, there will be refreshments and treats available during the event - in case the pressure gets too much for you.
So, does it sound like your kind of afternoon? Tickets are £2 and places are limited to 15 to allow everyone their five minutes of persuasion. Visit the page linked to below if you want to book and feel free to ask me any questions!
http://www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk/events/5-battle-of-the-books
http://www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk/
New for 2013 Wakefield Lit Fest, ‘Seed Funded’ events are a series of curated events organised independently by local groups and individuals with a passion for literature. An open call for ideas for festival events was made in July, with successful events being given financial support from the Lit Fest through Arts Council England Grants for the Arts funding.
Here's the premise.
Every participant will have five minutes to 'sell' their favourite book. Now, this can be a novel, work of non-fiction, poetry collection, play, graphic novel - whatever you want. All you have to do is make it sound good. That's easy, right? It's up to you what you decide to focus on. You could go with plot, character, design, wider meaning or anything that you find particularly endearing about your choice. The only rules are that you have to use your vocal powers of persuasion alone and you only have five minutes.
Aside from the glory (which is, of course, abundant), there will be prizes on the day following a secret vote to see who 'sold' their book best. Prizes will be drawn from local retailers making this a truly Yorkshire event.
And, just to sweeten the pot a little more, there will be refreshments and treats available during the event - in case the pressure gets too much for you.
So, does it sound like your kind of afternoon? Tickets are £2 and places are limited to 15 to allow everyone their five minutes of persuasion. Visit the page linked to below if you want to book and feel free to ask me any questions!
http://www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk/events/5-battle-of-the-books
http://www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk/
New for 2013 Wakefield Lit Fest, ‘Seed Funded’ events are a series of curated events organised independently by local groups and individuals with a passion for literature. An open call for ideas for festival events was made in July, with successful events being given financial support from the Lit Fest through Arts Council England Grants for the Arts funding.
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