Writing Workshops, 2016, in Tavira, Algarve

Starting on Monday, 4 January 2016, writing workshops will begin again at the library in Tavira. The theme for the first session will be Narrative, story, plot and content.

Six, Monday afternoon sessions have been planned. We will meet every two weeks, so there will be plenty of time to digest information and to write.

Good writing is not achieved by simply applying a set formula. But the written word can be even more engaging when certain techniques are applied, such as the development of strong characters, or honing effective dialogue. How writing is structured, narrative or dialogue techniques and editing skills can all be learned, but the ideas, the plots, the themes, remain the essence of the writer’s challenge.

We have a few aims in developing the workshops in 2016. This will, of course, be an opportunity to share with others the practicalities and enjoyment of writing.
But we also want to share practical encouragement in preparing the groundwork for writing a book (fiction or non-fiction), a memoir, a short story, a travelogue or a review.

We will work with writing prompts, exercises and interactive discussions to work towards improving our writing skills.

The second session on Monday,18 January 2016 2.30pm will not be at the library. The theme will be “Character development.”

We will meet in the Placa de la Republica in Tavira with notepads and pencils for some surreptitious character development. Choose a place where you can watch and develop characters. We will then talk about the results over afternoon tea or coffee in the Alvaro de Campos Cafe.

The other workshops will consider, dialogue and genre. We also hope to have a guest writer in week four.

If you are looking for writing prompts over Christmas and into 2016, here are 365 choices from Think Written
Think written has a particular colourful tree image that provides graphic inspiration – to boot.

So enjoy the holidays! Hope you find time to write!

The dates for your diary are:
Monday 4 January
Monday 18 January
Monday 1 February
Monday 15 February
Monday 29 February
Monday 14 March
All at 2:30, Tavira library (except 18 January)
The workshops are free and are the idea of Sue Hall & Mary Jezzard.