What I love about writing is getting into that state of concentration, and what I’m imagining is more vivid and real than the room I’m sitting in.
An interview with Lucy’s Creative Writing Supervisor Jo Browning Wroe, author of A Terrible Kindness
The College’s virtual course was highly praised by the aspiring writers who attended
On 26 and 27 September, an enthusiastic group of aspiring writers joined course leaders Miranda Doyle, a writer and teacher, and Jo Browning Wroe, a writer and Creative Writing Supervisor at Lucy Cavendish College, to devote a weekend to improving their creative writing skills. The college was pleased to be able to support two low income writers with free places this year.
Attendees also enjoyed listening to an impressive line-up of guest speakers including Gillian Stern, editor and ghost writer, Deepa Anappara, author of Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, Nelle Andrew, a literary agent with RML, Lesley Sanderson, author of The Orchid Girls, The Woman at 46 Heath Street, and The Leaving Party.
The writers attended two live workshops, listened to talks from industry experts and successful authors, and were able to ask questions. They also benefited from a one-to-one feedback session on their own writing, submitted beforehand.
Attendees commented:
“The Creative Writing weekend has certainly fired up my determination to be the writer I secretly have dreamed of being!”
“It was a wonderful weekend. The live sessions with you both were practical and uplifting. The pre-recorded sessions with professional authors and literary professionals offered a very clear window into the writing world. The feedback on my written work was invaluable – I am already a better writer because of it. My strongest takeaway was your urging to think of myself as a writer. So simple, but it has unlocked something in my brain, my heart and my practice.”
“Lucy Cavendish College filled their creative writing weekend with information and inspiration. We heard insider tips from an agent and editor. Published writers discussed how they maintained focus and organised their work. Helpful workshops covered writing techniques and skills.”
“'I could never have afforded to attend without the free place, which makes me doubly grateful. It's great to feel part of a community.”
“ I REALLY enjoyed the course: by now we are so used to zoom that it did not feel strange not to be in the same room. I thought both days were wonderful in different ways. The online lectures were also very useful in different ways, and thought provoking."
“It gives me a sense of how to sharpen my own writing going forward.”
“I really liked the mix of speakers and workshops - both covered a whole range of topics. The speakers all spoke really well, and the workshops were nicely balanced for learning and interaction. The one-to-one tutorial was fantastic - as editor/tutor, I so rarely get chance to discuss my writing! I liked the sense of 'connectedness' in sharing with you all - especially given the year we're having.”
“Today was wonderful and I'm looking forward to more tomorrow.”
“It was fun and intense too and it has helped me clarify lots of things.”
Lucy Cavendish College has a strong tradition of supporting and celebrating creative writers. Most notably, it hosts the prestigious Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize: respected in the publishing industry, and a catalyst for unpublished authors’ success.
