Our friendly and lively Creative Writing Group owes its existence to COVID and
absinthe.
In those dreadful lockdown days, Gilwern u3a decided to produce a fortnightly Newsletter, under the supervision of David Hall, and the varied contributions from members were well-received. When there was no longer a necessity for the Newsletter, I volunteered to start a Creative Writing Group, immediately press-ganging 3 regular contributors into the Group, namely Harriet Hall, Lynda O’Keefe and Bev Woodman.
But how do you start such a group? We’d all produced documents of all types in our working lives, but now we were writing for us, purely for fun. Because we would initially be meeting via Zoom, I sent them an image of “The Absinthe Drinker” by Degas, and asked that they write the woman’s story.
But how do you start such a group? We’d all produced documents of all types in our working lives, but now we were writing for us, purely for fun.
Because we would initially be meeting via Zoom, I sent them an image of “The Absinthe Drinker” by Degas, and asked that they write the woman’s story.
Four amazing tales were the result:
One told of a widow out with her lecherous father-in-law, another of a grieving mother with her unfeeling husband, a third had the wife planning how to run away and the last – a Speed Dating night out with a mean partner!
It was so successful and enjoyable, that our initial group of four went on to major literary successes with Harriet winning the National u3a Short Story competition, and two others being placed in the Welsh competition. It must have been beginner’s luck because we’ve not won anything since!
The group has grown, and now includes monthly storytelling sessions at Penpergwm House, something the residents enjoy hugely, particularly if Owen Parry includes one of his murder stories.
We are quite informal choosing a topic to write about for the next session after reading what we’ve just written. Topics vary hugely: “The unwanted gift”, “Noises in the attic”, “The door opened to reveal…”, and “If it hadn’t been for…”, so you see: lots of possibilities for stories. We never criticise each other’s work, and most importantly, although sometimes challenging, it’s always enjoyable. That’s what u3a is for.
Contact Kay Blackwell