Joyous

Regular followers of my blog (Hello, Mum) will be aware that my posts follow on by alphabetical order. And I really cannot think of a more apposite word to describe this last week spent at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School than ‘joyous’.

Joining in

This was my sixth visit to Swanwick. Of the approximately 200 delegates this year approximately 25% were new to the school, exactly the position I was in back in 2016 when I arrived knowing no one. Now it is just wonderful to meet up with old friends, wonderful to make new friends, and to find I have confidence to join in with everything whether that be selling raffle tickets or reading at open mic nights.

Judgment free

Swanwick is a safe space. Attendees are at all levels of writing, complete newbies through to regularly published, but we all are encouraged to share our writing in a non-judgmental environment.

I particularly love the Open Mic slots, both Poetry and Prose. These are always popular and this year were both oversubscribed. I was fortunate to get a chance to perform at the Prose, sharing three 75 word pieces which had previously been published on Paragraph Planet.

Sadly no Page-to-Stage this year, so no chance to win another Swannie. I was though one of the winners of the crossword competition.

Jolly Jesters

The fancy dress evening this year took Fairy Tales as its theme. There were some very imaginative costumes. Not something I do (although I did wear a ringlet of flowers in my hair a few years ago for the 1960’s theme) but it was stunning to see the efforts others had gone to.

Journalism, etc

There are so many courses available at Swanwick it can be hard to choose – 36 in total this year. All are included in the price. None have to be pre-booked. And if you start one but find it isn’t what you were expecting you are free to switch to another.

Following my recent visit to Dundee (home of Jam, Jute and Journalism) it isn’t surprising that this year I chose Viv Brown’s Writing for UK Magazines as my specialist 4 hour course. I wanted to revisit the market where I have had the most success, to discover what is new and what has changed.

I also did 3 short courses and 4 workshops: Rediscovering your writing mojo – Esther Chilton; Water & Poetry – Roy McFarlane; The Trickier Bits of Fiction – Sue Moorcroft; Comedy – a whistle stop tour – Phil Collins; Whose story(line) is it anyway – Zara Lamont; What’s in a Name – Liz Horrocks; and Photography for Writers (Simon Whaley).

By the end of these my notebook, and my head, are ready to burst. I am now taking a couple of days to myself to decompress and reflect.

Jaw and Jar

But as much as I gain from the academic input attending courses and workshops, I am sure I benefit even more by spending time chatting and sharing a few drinks with friends.

Jubilee

Next year it will be the 75th Diamond anniversary of the Summer School. How amazing that it has continued for so long and is still so popular.

If you have never been before please consider it for 2024 – the dates are 10-16 August. There are assisted places available, and also through Writing Magazine there will be three opportunities to win a free place.

And if you would like to pitch a course then the Vice Chair would be delighted to hear from you.