- Lifelong Learning: Grammar for Native Speakers Course
- Staunch Short Story Prize
- The Braemar Creative Arts Festival: Creative Writing Weekend
- Dundee Women’s Festival: Talk with Dr Donna Bonner
- Braemarnia Project: Reading and a Video
- Guildford Book Festival: Creative Writing Week
The Confident Writer – Grammar for Native Speakers Course
Host: Lifelong Learning Dundee
Dates/Times: Wednesdays 6.30-8.30, 24 Feb-24 March
Book At: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-confident-writer-advanced-grammar-tickets-118128378159
Aimed at native and/or fluent speakers of English, this course will help you polish your writing – whether it’s a report for work or a piece of creative writing. Starting with a review of the basics so the following weeks will cover topics such as verb tense, sentence structure, syntax, lexicology and word usage. The course balances lectures with practical tasks to enable students to apply the information immediately to their own writing.
Staunch Short Story Prize
Dates: Open to submissions from 1 March to 1 August
How to enter: https://staunchbookprize.com/enter-2021/
The Staunch Short Story and Flash Fiction prize is looking for well-written, exciting thrillers that offer an alternative narrative to stories based around violence to women. That doesn’t mean we’re just looking for thrillers that feature men in jeopardy instead, but stories in which female characters don’t have to be raped before they can be empowered, or become casual collateral to pump up the plot.
Creative Writing Weekend
Host: Braemar Creative Arts Festival
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, 6th and 7th March
To Book: Contact braemarartsfestival@gmail.com to express book and for more information regarding times.
Our schedules and our lives have been thrown out of kilter over the last year, making it difficult to focus on that creative project. Therefore, this weekend writing retreat may be just what you need to get the pen on the page. Aimed at both beginners and those who are working on a project, this virtual retreat will provide a supportive environment to all budding authors.
The weekend will start with discussions of character and run through to developing a plot, and screen time will be a combination of guided discussions, creative prompts, and dedicated individual writing time. You’ll have an option to work on an ongoing project, or you can come along to create something new. Support, mentoring and motivation will be the theme of the day.
‘Resilience in Challenging Times: Lessons from Earlier Losses’ with Dr Donna Bonner
Host: Graduate Women Scotland East, in conjunction with the Dundee Women’s Festival
Dates: Monday, 8 March 4pm
To Book: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-in-challenging-times-lessons-from-earlier-losses-tickets-140138497017
Dr Bonner is a cultural anthropologist who has worked in several countries. In 2005, her life was disrupted by the Hurricane Katrina Disaster and her home was destroyed. Now riding out the Covid-19 pandemic she shares her experiences on trauma recovery and resilience.
I will be chairing this talk with Dr Donna Bonner.
Braemarnia Project: Readings and a Video
Host: Scottish Ecological Design Association
The Braemarnia: A Village’s Story video will be featured at the 12 April ‘Land Conversations’ event. I’ll also be on the panel to talk more about the project. More info is available at: https://www.seda.uk.net/a-story-for-the-future
Also, as a part of the series, I am reading a section from Braemarnia on 22 March for their ‘Natural Benefits’ discussion. More info here on the event: https://www.seda.uk.net/natural-benefits
Week of Creative Writing
Host: Guildford Book Festival
Date/Time: Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm, 4-8 October
Watch this space for booking details: https://www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk/
If you have always wanted to write but are not sure where to start, then why not join us on our creative writing course being held over five weekday mornings during the Festival. Each lesson will focus on a different aspect of the writing process. The classes will be held via Zoom but will be practical and interactive. Each class is a mixture of lecture, discussion, and applied writing. The course is opened to all levels, meaning that each session can be tailored to your own goals.
It’s autumn, which means I’ve got a batch of new classes coming up. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like more info, or click on the corresponding link.
Rachel Marsh 