In this writing workshop, we look at memoir and poetry about jobs, chores, volunteering, and the actions we take in the world that have meaning and create our sense of identity. Using the examples of memoir by Lemn Sissay, prose poetry by Bryony Littlefair, and poems by Seni Seneviratne and Simon Armitage - see what … Continue reading You Are What You Do – Are You?
Tag: memoir
2021 writing creative memoir #1 – your wibbly, wobbly life path
In this session, Kirsten guides you to think about the shape of your life path, and gives you three ways of writing that might help you create an overview. Using 'anaphora' poems by Sara Dennis and Amir Darwish, and an extract from Michelle Obama, you should end up with a summary or prologue piece that … Continue reading 2021 writing creative memoir #1 – your wibbly, wobbly life path
Building your writing muscles #5 – in which we reply to Mary Oliver
Use this tutorial video to inspire a series of short free-writes inspired by lines from the famous poem Wild Geese, which contains within it ideas of goodness, guilt, repentance, the physical body, and our relationship with nature. https://videopress.com/v/OkU2VCkI?preloadContent=metadata
A digital story by Grace Turner-Thompson
Grace is a very special member of our Middlesbrough workshop group. The film she's made will give you an insight into her life, and what she needs to secure a hopeful future. We're also delighted to bring you a poem by Grace, about her Grandma Edith who taught her how to bake. The Wedding Ring … Continue reading A digital story by Grace Turner-Thompson
The Weapon and The Dove by David McVey
The language and imagery in this poem are beautiful - 'a harsh shout raw like mince' and 'breathless latchkey kid'. It's evocative of being a child and the man who's 'tall but hungry thin' is vividly described. The poem successfully puts us in a time and place with the single piece of dialogue and the … Continue reading The Weapon and The Dove by David McVey
What Is My Life? by Nick Smith
Nick uses vintage footage of Cannon Street to make his poem even more powerful. We hope you enjoy and share his work!
A digital story by Joyce Skinner
As poetry-lovers mourn the passing of the wonderful Mary Oliver, we'd like to bring you this piece of memoir by Joyce. Like Mary Oliver, Joyce finds solace and a spiritual connection in nature. Although the fields and wild places of her childhood may be changed, some remain preserved, and all are celebrated. Have a peaceful … Continue reading A digital story by Joyce Skinner
A digital story by Gwen
Here's a simple photo-montage film using the Ken Burns effect, from our workshop participant Gwen. We love her story about how the loss of her beloved dog led to an unexpected influx of garden visitors... Remember, we'd love to feature poems, stories, memoirs and films by anyone who would like to celebrate the changes in … Continue reading A digital story by Gwen
Hospital Memories by Francis Annett
Here's a digital story by Francis, with a vivid picture of how treatments have changed since 1947! I hope you enjoy Francis' use of found and vintage photographs, and his use of iconic art to express his experience.
Jesus Saves by Fran Edwards
The second digital story we'd like to share is by Fran Edwards, a regular member of our Celebrating Change monthly workshops in 2018. Some of her poetry and prose work has already appeared in earlier blog posts. You'll see Fran has used vintage footage of the Cannon Street area of Middlesbrough, captured by filmmaker Derek … Continue reading Jesus Saves by Fran Edwards
Whose body? by Fran Edwards
Big thanks to Fran for donating three pieces written at our monthly workshops. This piece came out of our 'fortune teller' prompt back in March. I was asked, "Whose body would I like to be in for a day?" I felt confused, because that question would normally be "Whose life would you like to have for … Continue reading Whose body? by Fran Edwards
Drawing out the stories
As we head towards our winter break, I'd like to thank everyone who came out to our second workshop, including a few new faces - so wonderful to have a roomful of people making memory maps! I first used memory mapping as a writing prompt at a workshop run by the fabulous Wolf At The … Continue reading Drawing out the stories
