The Writers’ Block Writers’ Room – Paid opportunity for emerging writers

Writing Bedtime Stories for Grown ups

The Writers’ Block is the writing centre for Cornwall, and is both a unique space for writing and a development programme for writers of all ages.

In 2021 are running three Writers’ Rooms, where emerging professional writers work with experienced writers on a genre, creating writing with a direct route to audiences.

This is the second Writers’ Room which is a 3 day writing course aimed at emerging writers, and includes a commission for an audio short story. The course is led by Annamaria Murphy and set in the inspirational Bill’s Attic.

Brief: To examine the short story form for audio.

We will explore writing for audio in particular

* Finding the emotional heart of stories.
*What is the story you are burning to tell?
*How to grip a listener and how not to grip them.
* How not to ramble on.

The workshops will be very practical and will consist of:

*Writing exercises to get ideas going.
*Developing ideas.
*Sharing a developed idea from the workshop and feedback on ideas.
* Stories will be read by members of The Story Republic

Outcomes:

*To develop 7 minute (approx) stories for audio.
*Stories developed will be read by actors from The Story Republic and recorded for our audio platform https://thewritersblockcornwall.podbean.com/

Annamaria Murphy is Artistic Director of The Writers Block & The Story Republic, writer for BBC Radio 4, Kneehigh Theatre, amongst others.

Dates: 1, 2 and 4 November 2021 (You will need to attend all 3 days)
Time:  10-2pm but the writers can stay on in the venue and continue their writing
Venue:  Bill’s Attic, Krowji, West Park, Redruth TR15 3AJ https://feastcornwall.org/bills-attic/

Fee:  You will be paid £400 to attend the workshops and write a short story for recording.
Unfortunately, no travel or accommodation expenses are available.

 To apply please send an expression of interest and a sample of a short story to [email protected] by 21 October 2021.