We usually meet on the second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Drop us a line for more info.
Solihull Writers • Programme 2022/23
All meetings to start promptly at 7.30pm.There will be a 15 minute break at 8.30pm for chat & refreshment.
Set options are guidelines to be used if desired, but open reading of other works by members is equally encouraged.
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Solihull Writers 2023-24 Programme
Notices & short writing exercise will begin each session. Options are for guidance and do not exclude other readings. Individual readings for 5 minutes plus 5 minutes discussion. Programme subject to change.
| DATE | TOPIC | LEAD |
| 14 SEPT. | Agenda items (1 hour): Programme tweaks for the year aheadBank account – management, outgoings (eg website)News & updates for website & FacebookCritique framework for future meetings Poetry workshop with visual prompts – bring a picture (1 hour) | Geoff |
| 28 SEPT. | Dialogue workshop | John |
| 12 OCT. | Contributing content to SWG website and Facebook – refresher Share your IT themed poems/ prose. Option: ‘Unplugged’ | Stuart |
| 26 OCT. | Halloween – Ghost stories workshop ‘Exploring the Paranormal’ Prompts to follow – first prompt; ‘I saw several strangers as I took my evening walk’ | Dawn |
| 9 NOV. | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Option: ‘There were fireworks that night’ (1 hour) Story structure workshop (1 hour) | Jackie |
| 23 NOV. | Lyrics workshop Fiction competition closing date for entries (1,000 word limit) Judge & theme TBC | Geoff |
| 14 DEC. | Christmas social – venue tbc (Library unavailable) Share your seasonal themed poems/ prose. Option: ‘Santa’s revenge’ | N/A |
| 11 JAN. | Fiction competition – Adjudication | Jill |
| 25 JAN. | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Option: ‘A Burns Night mystery’ | Geoff |
| 8 FEB. | Script writing with Neta | Neta Shlain |
| 22 FEB. | Haiku workshop | Suzanna |
| 14 MAR. | Comedy workshop The Paul Torr Poetry competition closing date for entries (40 lines limit) Judge & theme TBC | Trevor |
| 28 MAR. | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Option: ‘An Easter encounter’ Script writing competition closing date for entries (criteria TBC) | Sara |
| 11 APR. | The Paul Torr Poetry competition – Adjudication | Jill |
| 25 APR. | OPEN MIC NIGHT – invite other local writing groups | TBC |
| 9 MAY | Script writing – Adjudication – Neta Shlain | Dawn |
| 23 MAY | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Non-fiction competition closing date for entries (1,000 word limit) Judge & theme: TBC | TBC |
| 13 JUNE | AI workshop | Geoff |
| 27 JUNE | Non-fiction competition – Adjudication – David Muir | Jill |
| 11 JULY | Form in poetry workshop | Andrew |
| 25 JULY | Annual review meeting and programme planning (1 hour) | Sara |
| DATE | TOPIC | LEAD |
| 14 SEPT. | Agenda items (1 hour): Programme tweaks for the year ahead Bank account – management, outgoings (eg website) News & updates for website & Facebook Critique framework for future meetings Poetry workshop with visual prompts – bring a picture (1 hour) | Geoff |
| 28 SEPT. | Dialogue workshop | John |
| 12 OCT. | Contributing content to SWG website and Facebook – refresher Share your IT themed poems/ prose. Option: ‘Unplugged’ | Stuart |
| 26 OCT. | Halloween – Ghost stories workshop ‘Exploring the Paranormal’ Prompts to follow – first prompt; ‘I saw several strangers as I took my evening walk’ | Dawn |
| 9 NOV. | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Option: ‘There were fireworks that night’ (1 hour) Story structure workshop (1 hour) | Jackie |
| 23 NOV. | Lyrics workshop Fiction competition closing date for entries (1,000 word limit) Judge & theme TBC | Geoff |
| 14 DEC. | Christmas social – venue tbc (Library unavailable) Share your seasonal themed poems/ prose. Option: ‘Santa’s revenge’ | N/A |
| 11 JAN. | Fiction competition – Adjudication | Jill |
| 25 JAN. | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Option: ‘A Burns Night mystery’ | Geoff |
| 8 FEB. | Script writing with Neta | Neta Shlain |
| 22 FEB. | Haiku workshop | Suzanna |
| 14 MAR. | Comedy workshop The Paul Torr Poetry competition closing date for entries (40 lines limit) Judge & theme TBC | Trevor |
| 28 MAR. | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Option: ‘An Easter encounter’ Script writing competition closing date for entries (criteria TBC) | Sara |
| 11 APR. | The Paul Torr Poetry competition – Adjudication | Jill |
| 25 APR. | OPEN MIC NIGHT – invite other local writing groups | TBC |
| 9 MAY | Script writing – Adjudication – Neta Shlain | Dawn |
| 23 MAY | Open reading & critique of pre-circulated work (share by email work you would like critiqued 1 week before meeting) Non-fiction competition closing date for entries (1,000 word limit) Judge & theme: TBC | TBC |
| 13 JUNE | AI workshop | Geoff |
| 27 JUNE | Non-fiction competition – Adjudication – David Muir | Jill |
| 11 JULY | Form in poetry workshop | Andrew |
| 25 JULY | Annual review meeting and programme planning (1 hour) | Sara |
Roll forward to next year or slot in if a gap opens up: Playwriting workshop with Louise or Stuart
Programme subject to change. Chair names are speculative examples
*Open Mic night possibly Friday evening or Saturday midday?
Further info:
i) “Open Readings” are now renamed “Critiqued Readings” to put an emphasis on how we ought to be giving constructive criticism rather than just being entertained.
ii) Readings can be previously circulated online if desired.
iii) Each Reading to last no more than 5 minutes, followed by a 3 minute constructive critique session.
iv) Further critiques can be continued online where requested.
v) We will start Critiqued Readings meetings with a 5 minute writing exercise to get the creative juices flowing, but will not read out the results (unless there is time to spare at the end).
Options are for guidance if desired; other items also welcome / a short exercise will start each session. Longer writings can be circulated by email a minimum of a week in advance if desired.