We're delighted to announce that our Writing Roadshow is up and running beautifully, with places filling fast for our next Memoir Writing workshops which are due to take place on:
24 Feb 6.30 pm Judsons, Pocklington
26 Feb 9.30 am Drewton's, South Cave
5 Mch 10 am Judsons, Pocklington.
We had a great time at #Cave Castle, and have been made very welcome at #Judsons in Pocklington - now a firm favourite for a venue - thanks, Judsons.
We're excited that we can also offer our first workshop at #Drewton's, South Cave. Much coffee will be drunk and much cake eaten, no doubt!
Herewith links to websites so you can see what fantastic venues our workshops are running at:
http://www.cavecastlehotel.com/
http://www.drewtons.co.uk/pages/home
http://www.judsons.co.uk/about-us
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Fifty Shades... So Sick
Yeh - Fifty Shades - we're so sick of hearing about it! Had the misfortune to hear Radio 2's #ChrisEvans banging on about it, if you'll excuse the pun. But seriously... what can he mean, promoting such grubby stuff on a morning programme with all those kiddies around?
More seriously, what does it mean when such stuff celebrates the degradation of the female? Is this the end of feminism? Do we all go get ourselves a roll of double sided tape and a few zip ties from B & Q, shut up and get on with it?
Or do we say no? NO NO NO NO NO! Not reading it. Not watching it. Not listening to Evans and his little groupies talking it up.
End of.
On a much healthier note... look out for us in the March issue of #Myslexia, when one of our writing group activities will be shared - writing with colour and emotion, using the Chakra colours of meditation. We had fun - if you're a writer, we hope you enjoy it too.
More seriously, what does it mean when such stuff celebrates the degradation of the female? Is this the end of feminism? Do we all go get ourselves a roll of double sided tape and a few zip ties from B & Q, shut up and get on with it?
Or do we say no? NO NO NO NO NO! Not reading it. Not watching it. Not listening to Evans and his little groupies talking it up.
End of.
On a much healthier note... look out for us in the March issue of #Myslexia, when one of our writing group activities will be shared - writing with colour and emotion, using the Chakra colours of meditation. We had fun - if you're a writer, we hope you enjoy it too.
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Still Winter... Still Snowy
Winter can be a slog, can't it? Just recovered from all the Christmas feasting (and the Christmas cold) then felled by the latest virus - jolly quick way to lose those festive pounds, but I'd rather diet any day. Then there's the weather...
To lift our spirits lets share another of those wonderful descriptive pieces by our younger writers. This is by George, Year 6.
The Winter Star
The snow quickly lays a thin plain blanket above the green grass.
A spruce fir tree vibrantly stands out from the plain snow.
The aquatic pond beams out its azure colour.
Twinkling mirror-like snowflakes finally arrive after a long tough journey plunging from heaven.
A lone barn owl flies.
Thanks, George - suddenly I feel a whole lot better!
Watch out for our next 'Society Cafe' #Thoughttree Writers' Workshop, btw - coming up later in February and, since the first was so popular, another splendid session on memoir writing!
To lift our spirits lets share another of those wonderful descriptive pieces by our younger writers. This is by George, Year 6.
The Winter Star
The snow quickly lays a thin plain blanket above the green grass.
A spruce fir tree vibrantly stands out from the plain snow.
The aquatic pond beams out its azure colour.
Twinkling mirror-like snowflakes finally arrive after a long tough journey plunging from heaven.
A lone barn owl flies.
Thanks, George - suddenly I feel a whole lot better!
Watch out for our next 'Society Cafe' #Thoughttree Writers' Workshop, btw - coming up later in February and, since the first was so popular, another splendid session on memoir writing!
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
January Wind
No, not the leftover Christmas sprouts, but some brilliant descriptive 'windy' writing by our young authors. Get a load of this:
Wolf Wind
The wind howls at the racing skies like a lunatic wolf.
It pounds across the stone-cold path.
The freezing grass quivers.
The moon hides.
The wolf-wind shadow scares.
I scream; my voice gets swallowed in the gust of fierce wind.
Gone...
That's by Ellie, and we love it! Year 6, no less.
And while we're here - a quick mention for our Memoir Workshop running on 22nd January at #Judsons Wine Bar, Pocklington. A good time will be had by all, we hope - we'll be doing our best to unlock all those childhood memories and put them to good use.
Cheers!
Wolf Wind
The wind howls at the racing skies like a lunatic wolf.
It pounds across the stone-cold path.
The freezing grass quivers.
The moon hides.
The wolf-wind shadow scares.
I scream; my voice gets swallowed in the gust of fierce wind.
Gone...
That's by Ellie, and we love it! Year 6, no less.
And while we're here - a quick mention for our Memoir Workshop running on 22nd January at #Judsons Wine Bar, Pocklington. A good time will be had by all, we hope - we'll be doing our best to unlock all those childhood memories and put them to good use.
Cheers!
Thursday, 15 January 2015
thoughttree Writing Workshop Roadshow!
Happy January all! Off we jolly well blog again - this time to announce our latest Writing Workshop, currently being roadshowed around East Yorkshire.
This time we are all about writing memoir - the first of this series ran this morning, and we are now set fair to repeat it this evening and next week, so look out for us.
Today we delved into our childhood memories, using visualisation and stream of consciousness writing. We mapped significant childhood locations, using sensory memory. We explored the way 'factual' memory becomes fiction with crafting and reworking. In short, we had a jolly nice time at #southcavecastle - we will certainly be back!
Soon to be repeated at #judsonspocklington and looking forward to it.
Find us at thoughttree.co.uk
This time we are all about writing memoir - the first of this series ran this morning, and we are now set fair to repeat it this evening and next week, so look out for us.
Today we delved into our childhood memories, using visualisation and stream of consciousness writing. We mapped significant childhood locations, using sensory memory. We explored the way 'factual' memory becomes fiction with crafting and reworking. In short, we had a jolly nice time at #southcavecastle - we will certainly be back!
Soon to be repeated at #judsonspocklington and looking forward to it.
Find us at thoughttree.co.uk
Friday, 19 December 2014
Happy Christmas
At this festive time of year, what better than to share a wonderful piece of 'snowy' writing from one of our Year 6 students? This comes from Evie (Skelton Primary School, York).
The Mystical Night
I tiptoe across the crunching snow.
The chilly wind sweeps across my freezing face.
Glimmering stars shine above, giving me a warm welcome.
In the dancing night an owl floats stealthily over me.
Dazzling white snow spirals down like a ballroom dancer turning.
The glittering midnight sky gives an eerie silence.
I think I can hear twinkling bells across the sky.
All around me trees slump, sunk in the white snow.
Crystal snowflakes delicately whirl to the layered ground.
We love the assonance and sibilance in 'slump, sunk', and the 'dancing night' - thanks, Evie.
Oh, and while we're blogging... can't help picking up on the Sony 'lets kill the North Korean leader' film fiasco. How about that, I hear you cry - how 'bout all that nasty hacking and threatening?
Well how about the crass insensitivity of the film in the first place? Would it have crossed the American mind that it might, it just might, be better to leave North Korea alone?
Nah. That's Americans for ya.
Happy Christmas, y'all!
The Mystical Night
I tiptoe across the crunching snow.
The chilly wind sweeps across my freezing face.
Glimmering stars shine above, giving me a warm welcome.
In the dancing night an owl floats stealthily over me.
Dazzling white snow spirals down like a ballroom dancer turning.
The glittering midnight sky gives an eerie silence.
I think I can hear twinkling bells across the sky.
All around me trees slump, sunk in the white snow.
Crystal snowflakes delicately whirl to the layered ground.
We love the assonance and sibilance in 'slump, sunk', and the 'dancing night' - thanks, Evie.
Oh, and while we're blogging... can't help picking up on the Sony 'lets kill the North Korean leader' film fiasco. How about that, I hear you cry - how 'bout all that nasty hacking and threatening?
Well how about the crass insensitivity of the film in the first place? Would it have crossed the American mind that it might, it just might, be better to leave North Korea alone?
Nah. That's Americans for ya.
Happy Christmas, y'all!
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Second Workshop a Success!
We're delighted to announce that our second writers' workshop, on the Natural Environment, was a resounding success and we had some great feedback!
This time we were getting our heads around the natural environment. We unpacked some of Susan Hill's skills in evoking the bleak marsh landscape of the Woman in Black, then had a go ourselves at working with environment, colour and mood. Some fantastic responses.
Then we dug a little deeper, exploring how we can use landscape and weather to evoke a sense of character and emotion. Finally, we managed to pack in a quick exploration of 'man as creature' - focusing on good ole Of Mice and Men (Lennie, naturally) and a taste of Helen Dunmore.
And all that in our two and a half hour workshop! Gotta say, totally action packed.
Look out for the next one! Coming in January our 'Writers' Roadshow' - Memoir writing. Can't wait!
This time we were getting our heads around the natural environment. We unpacked some of Susan Hill's skills in evoking the bleak marsh landscape of the Woman in Black, then had a go ourselves at working with environment, colour and mood. Some fantastic responses.
Then we dug a little deeper, exploring how we can use landscape and weather to evoke a sense of character and emotion. Finally, we managed to pack in a quick exploration of 'man as creature' - focusing on good ole Of Mice and Men (Lennie, naturally) and a taste of Helen Dunmore.
And all that in our two and a half hour workshop! Gotta say, totally action packed.
Look out for the next one! Coming in January our 'Writers' Roadshow' - Memoir writing. Can't wait!
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