Thank you for Visiting
I hope you enjoy reading my blog. On this page I try to keep up-dated details of my creative writing and creative reading classes.
If you want to know more about my teaching, check out the Workshops and Courses tab above.
WEA is on-line for the Autumn 2020 term.
We will be using Canvas, a virtual learning environment and zoom a video conferencing software. You will need a reliable internet connection and internet-linked device with camera and microphone. WEA will email you links.
My classes are:
The Oxford Book of Short Stories. C3531639

In her introduction to the anthology we shall be reading from, AS Byatt states that ‘the workmanlike English story is bland, and the great English story is… shocking – even the sparest and driest – and hard to categorize’, we will be thinking about this as we discuss one or two of the stories at each of our six sessions. Starting with Anthony Trollope’s 1859 story, we will work our way through a range of writing styles. In the process,we will seek to identify topics, themes and techniques and think about how and why this form of fiction developed.
6 weekly sessions: starting 11th November, 2020. 5pm – 6.30pm
Fee: £28.80
Reading 1952, Shute, Laski and Pym. C3127822



Three of the popular novels published in 1952 were: The Village, by Marghanita Laski; The Far Country, by Nevil Shute; Excellent Women, by Barbara Pym. Had you been on the panel for a literature prize for that year, and these were your short-list, how would you judge them? Each week the group will discuss a portion of one of the books. We will think about the writing: the characterisation, plotting and style, but what else influences the reader? Additional questions will include: Why do some authors endure and others get forgotten? Are the life and experiences of the author reflected in their writing? As the course progresses we will increasingly compare and contrast the three novels, culminating in a vote to decide which novel we would award a 1952 readability prize to.
6 weekly sessions: starting 29th September, 2020. 3.15pm – 4.45pm
Fee: £28.80
Creative Writing:
There will be four creative writing classes this autumn. The two that begin in September will be based on the same course materials.
Short, short stories. C3531714

Learn new skills and explore your creativity as we practice some of the techniques for creating very short stories, true or untrue. We will be thinking about micro-fictions, flash fictions and prose poems. Vladimir Nabokov said that ‘a writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist’, this will be our guiding principle. I will set structured exercises. You will be encouraged to experiment with form and style, and explore a range of key techniques. The intention will be to create first drafts during the sessions.
6 weekly sessions: starting Friday 25th September, 2020. 9am – 10.30am
Fee: £28.80
Very Short Stories. C3531712 Is the same course content as the Friday course, described above.
6 weekly sessions: starting Thursday 24th September, 2020. 5pm – 6.30pm
Fee: £28.80
Confusingly, (and demonstrating a lamentable lack of imagination) I have given the second pair of sessions the same titles as the first two. The difference is in the course code.
C3531715, Short, short stories, begins on Friday 6th of November, 9am – 10.30am.

Everyone has a story to tell; sometimes we need a little help to get started, or even to complete it. This constructive and friendly creative writing course is a place for both beginners and more experienced writers, to find inspiration and practice key techniques. In each session, the tutor will give prompts and set tasks to encourage weekly writing. We will concentrate on the shortest forms of story: micro-fictions, flash fictions and prose poems. We will be thinking about creating them, and polishing them. The emphasis is on enjoyment and finding your own style, in a friendly and supportive environment.
Fee: £28.80
C3531713, Very short stories, begins on Thursday 12th of November, 5 – 6.30, and will be based on the same course content as C3531715.
Fee: £28.80
To enrol, and to find out more, search for courses on-line: www.wea.org.uk OR Telephone 0300 303 346
Pre-enrolment is essential for all courses.
WEA classes are generally free for anyone in receipt of a recognised means tested benefit.
Thanks for dropping by to Smorgasbord and welcome. best wishes Sally
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Sally.
LikeLike
Like your site, will follow. Glad you liked my posts on Keith Richards & Spike Milligan
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you.
I’m enjoying your posts very much.
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping by, Cath. Your site is a rich resource for us writers
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Dina. Good to meet you.
LikeLike
I can vouch for Cath’s classes which are excellent!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Katey, glad you enjoy them.
LikeLike
I wish I was in the UK I’d love to do your Writing your Family History workshop. I hope you rerun it in the future! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Descartes, I hope to too, it generates some fascinating materials.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by my blog Cath! I used to live not far from you…I could do with some of your cool weather right now! Pity about the distance, your creative writing workshop sounds really useful to me!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you for returning the visit.
We’re mostly dreaming about spring and summer here – that’s human nature for you, I suppose. though in our defence, it’s not so much cool as soggy here..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow this is beautiful 🙂
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thanks for visiting my blogsite today. Looking forward to getting to know more about you
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for returning the visit. Very much enjoyed your posts. Looking forward to reading more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the visit. I wish I lived closer! Good luck with your classes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there. Thank you for following me over at Routine Matters. Now doing the same. Good to meet you. Chris.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Lovely to meet you too, and thank you for returning the visit. Cath
LikeLike
Sorry to have had to miss last two classes of very enjoyable Cirencester class. Could I have details of next Cirencester class please?
LikeLiked by 4 people
No problem, Jenny. Start date will be 23rd October, time is 10.15 – 12.15. We’ll be reading North & South by Mrs Gaskell. More details will follow. Look forward to seeing you again then.
LikeLike
Love your site, Cath. You teach for WEA?
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks, Judith. Yes, I do regular WEA courses, plus for a few other organisations, and private classes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snap!! Well not the WEA, they’re not on our county unfortunately. I’ve taught creative writing for ten years for Pembrokeshire CC in a Lifelong Learning Scheme and private workshops So much fun. And rewarding!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, it’s lovely tutoring adult classes, and I’ve been doing them for about the same length of time as you, so snap again!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the visit Cath
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you for providing some entertaining reading.
LikeLike
Interesting reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my… The Day of the Triffids. That takes me back. I can actually remember reading that… Ooh many decades ago. Great book!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow Cath, you’re a DIAMOND! 💎 You’re brilliant. I love how you sparkle so beautifully, and generously cast your beauty on the rest of us. Thanks with much love and admiration! ❤️
LikeLiked by 3 people
Like this post very much.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Cath
The WEA website tells me that your Thursday morning Creative Writing course is fully booked already. I had to wait till I had the funds but now I think I’m too late. I can’t do Mondays sadly. I don’t suppose you do another such course anywhere else? Sorry to bother you.
Jenny Bradley
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, the reading 1968 looks so tempting!! I’m sure it will be a great class. I wish I lived closer to you! All the best in 2020!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cleo, you’d be very welcome.
Hope you have a lovely 2020 too. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey! I love reading your blog and I have nominated you for the Liebster Award, here is the link to the same: https://shrubaboti.wordpress.com/2020/08/02/the-liebster-award/
Hope you’ll enjoy participating in this and congratulations! Keep writing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Passing by I was halted by the varied services on offer. I am a new author of the block and can clearly see the value.
Shakti Ghosal
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely to meet you, Shakti. Good luck with your writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I need all the luck and good wishes I can get:)
LikeLike