I haven’t run a “Friend” Story Writing Workshop for a while. The last one was in York in autumn 2018. I’ve just remembered our epic train journey through Storm Ali — I’d kind of blanked that horror from my mind!
Anyway, happily there were no weather-related traumas for this latest one.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, is a terrific arts venue. Its ethos is summed up by the old Scottish proverb, “The story is told eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart”.
What better place to hold a “Friend” writing workshop?
But there was another reason for choosing this venue.
As part of our 150th anniversary year celebrations, the Centre staged a fascinating two-week exhibition showcasing the magazine’s history. We thought it would be fitting to close its final day with the hurrah of a workshop!
About The Story Writing Workshop
The format for the day hits all the right spots for our writers.
Frequent “Friend” writer Kate Blackadder was on hand to assist in Edinburgh. And she played a very important role: she was there to speak to the skills a writer needs, and how to hone them.
Between us we talked about inspiration, characterisation and story structure. One of the most day’s most useful sessions saw Kate explain the process of developing ideas into fully-formed short stories. She illustrates this session with real examples published in the magazine. It really is an invaluable insight into working through an idea from start to finish.
For me, the important thing about these workshops is that the aspiring writers who attend feel inspired. And newly-confident enough to submit short stories to “The People’s Friend”!
And I’m happy to say that the eight ladies and one gent who joined us all seemed fired up with enthusiasm when we finished for the day.
They produced such brilliant ideas for all of the writing exercises that I’m just as eager to see their stories appear in our submissions pile.
For more from Shirley, read her blog here.
If you’re interested in having a story published in “The People’s Friend”, take a look at our submission guidelines here.
Shirley Blair Fiction Ed Shirley’s been with the “Friend” since 2007 and calls it her dream job because she gets to read fiction all day every day. Hobbies? Well, that would be reading! She also enjoys writing fiction when she has time, long walks, travel, and watching Scandi thrillers on TV.
