With great upheaval comes great opportunities, writes committee member, Gary Smith. As with all writing groups, the pandemic has prevented us from meeting up face-to-face. However, this very problem has allowed us to think more creatively (we are a writing group after all!), and encouraged us to explore the wonders of videoconferencing which turned the impossible monthly meetings into regular twice monthly Zoom sessions. We have also devised a range of other activities to keep us busy.

We have run a flexible and varied programme over the last few months, including talks from external writers as well as active writing sessions run by our own members. We created two ‘Round Robin’ stories, a collaborative fiction exercise in which a number of members contributed to our ongoing story - we do love a challenge and had a lot of fun with these pieces.

We also appeared via Zoom at Wolverhampton Literature Festival earlier this year and we were able to showcase our poetry, short stories and excerpts from novels. Remote writing retreats have given us an opportunity to focus on our writing and receive valuable feedback on our works in progress from fellow members.

Our 2021/22 programme of activity (attached) is now finalised and includes both face-to-face (government guidance permitting) and online sessions, utilising the best of both worlds. We are very excited about our new programme, which has a wide variety of workshops and activities, and includes something for everyone.

Walsall Writers' Circle has been encouraging writers since 1966, when the Beatles were at number one with Paperback Writer. As we always say, we are an extremely friendly bunch and love to encourage, support and share our love of writing. We have members from a wide range of backgrounds, from beginners to published writers; all abilities are equally welcome. We would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining us. Contact us through our website: https://walsallwriterscircle.wordpress.com/

WALSALL WRITERS’ CIRCLE
PROGRAMME 2021 - 22

2021
9th Sept Great Expectations workshop - Rob Edwards. Subs due at this meeting £20,
guests 1 (one) month foc – BACS, please, or cheque if you don’t do online banking.
Bank and/or cheque payment details will be sent to members prior to the September
meeting.

23rd Sept Zoom –Writing Inspired by Art - Alison Reed
14th Oct How I Tackle Imagination and Invention Fantasy Writing session - Delilah Ford
28th Oct Zoom - Found Poetry session based on Fantasy Writing - Alison Reed
11th Nov Hand in FICTION competition entries on the theme ‘Once Upon a Time...’ a grown-up
fairy tale (1500 words, 12pt Times New Roman, double line spacing, no names, and a
title appropriate to the piece of work, one entry only) followed by How to Generate
Story Ideas, Marrilynne Snowden

25th Nov Zoom – Memoir Writing Workshop - Marrilynne Snowden
9th Dec RESULTS and Reading of Fiction Competition entries followed by social evening
2022
13th Jan *Feedback session followed by Review Writing
27th Jan Zoom session – How to Write a Review - workshop
10th Feb Science Fiction talk/workshop
24th Feb Zoom session – exploring science fiction and steampunk
10th March Janet Lee – (retired journalist and college lecturer) talk/workshop on writing
24th Mar Zoom session – Writing for Pleasure and why we don’t get round to doing it!
14th April Writing with Young Adults in Mind – Gary Smith and Chrissie Lawrance
28th April Zoom session – *Feedback session followed by Poetry for children and young adults
12th May Hand in NON-FICTION competition entries on the theme ‘A Review of a Favourite
Book or Film’ (1500 words, 12pt Times New Roman, double line spacing, no names,
and a title appropriate to the piece of work, one entry only) followed by Dr Paul
McDonald on ‘Humour in Writing’

26th May Zoom session – What Makes us Laugh - discussion
9th June The Graphic Novel - Rob Edwards
23rd June Zoom session – graphic and other illustrated novels
14th July AGM/what do members want from the next programme followed by RESULTS

and reading of Non-Fiction Competition

Competition rules: Competitions are open to members only. Entries may be up to 1500
words. Submit on paper or if we’re in lockdown, send by email to Alison Reed who will forward to
judge. Format as follows: 12pt Times New Roman, double line spacing, no entrant names, and a
title appropriate to the piece of work, one entry only.
*Feedback - please email your work to Alison Reed prior to the session for considered feedback
**Zoom links will be sent to all paid-up members several days before the session. If you are
not a member and wish to join a session, please email Walsall.writerscircle@hotmail.co.uk for
further information.
***Programme may be subject to change, please check website and social media for updates.