Writing workshops today aim to inspire Nottingham's young creatives
Two writing events take place in Nottingham today, including a poetry workshop at Central Library and the Write for Life event in Wollaton for young creatives.
The morning will be coldest part of the day, around 7 degrees now, but will reach 12 degrees by lunch and not drop too far down from there. Rain is expected this evening - not much but worth preparing for. With it comes more gusty wind, touching 30 mph at 19:30.
There are two writing events around Nottingham today.
One is a relaxed poetry workshop at 10 am at Central Library, put on by poet Cathy Galvin. She read some of her work last night at Five Leaves. This workshop will focus on ideas of landscape and home, whatever you might find in that. It is for writers of any background and age.
The second event is focused on younger writers between 14 and 25 years old, over in Wollaton Hall at 4pm. This is more of a creative careers event, which will have talks and workshops put on by professional creatives of all kinds. The event is called Write for Life and states that it aims to "inspire young people to take creative writing forward into their adult lives".
The Morning Briefing spoke to Ben Macpherson who will, be at the event. Ben is a director of the Nottingham Poetry Festival and often works with events like this and other school workshops.
"Young people have so much to gain from writing workshops. They can help grow confidence, allow young people to advocate for themselves and their interests and introduce playfulness," Ben told us. "I'm also a really strong proponent of the idea that you do not have to like what you write, or what you read. This helps young folks learn about authenticity, and articulating that helps them develop vital critical thinking skills and a sense of their own taste."
"A lot of workshops I lead with young people try to make them the expert on a subject - something from their life or their current hobby gives a young writer the authority to start exploring. When someone can talk about a topic without worrying about the exercise I know the good stuff is on the way."
Ben's view aligns with the National Year of Reading's "Go All In" campaign, which hopes to encourage young people to dive deeper into topics that already interest them through reading.
Nottingham is a hotbed for writing talent, with many organisations offering spaces to write, read, and perform. DIY Poets have regular events, including showcases where brand new poets can speak for the first time. (They have an event coming up on the 12th.) Paper Crane Poets, Beeston Tales have an event for storytellers coming up next Wednesday. The library often has events, as already mentioned. Ben is a member of the GOBS Collective, a poetry collective, another way that a poet can get started in Nottingham. He also runs the Write Night workshops.
"I think the writing community in Nottingham is very strong, there are brilliant organisations like the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature project or Writing East Midlands who curate wonderful spaces for young writers and readers around the city," Ben said. "I am really proud to be working with the NUCOL youth board on a pamphlet project at the moment."
Nottingham has been a UNESCO City of Literature since 2015. The award was given in part due to our historic context as the homes of both DH Lawrence and Lord Byron, but largely due to Nottingham’s commitment to fostering local talent, especially amongst younger people. The designation helped strengthen Nottingham's literary infrastructure, alongside organisations such as the GOBS Collective, which runs workshops and community poetry projects.
Funding for younger writers is more accessible. The Wollaton event lists itself for those under 25, but also hints hints that older participants are welcome.
"The key restriction is funding," Ben told us. "For many, creative writing is a hobby or side hustle, the opportunity not being present to push things further. That is not to denigrate the work of these writers, but the framework to develop and grow beyond a certain level requires maintenance and that means funding. As we age that funding is stripped away as well, and access to opportunities comes with more financial barriers."
