Trauma and the Creative Writing Classroom

The Writing Squad

A session exploring what trauma is, its relationship to creativity and strategies to develop a trauma-informed workshop practice.

Arts and Humanities Building, Manchester Metropolitan University

NB: This workshop will be from 2-4pm in MMU's Arts and Humanities Building, Manchester.What is trauma? What is PTSD? Why does it matter for workshop/arts facilitators? When difficult memories or subjects arise, what practical approaches or tips can facilitators employ in the moment, or bear in mind for the future?This workshop will use relaxed group conversations to explore these questions. You will gain an understanding of some of the definitions of what trauma is, its signs and symptoms, practical strategies for building trauma awareness into workshops and some tools for tackling traumatising or challenging subject matter in a workshop setting. Written, practical and creative exercises will demonstrate some ideas and approaches discussed during the session. MORE INFOThis workshop marks the beginning of a wider discussion within the Writing Squad around this issue. It also forms part of the R&D of The Styx, a new film opera from Squad grad Katie Byford. You can find out more about the project <a href="https://www.writingsquad.com/the-styx/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here. </a>No preparation is needed, but you should bring pens and paper (or whatever you usually use to make notes/write.)The workshop will move at a gentle pace that is mindful of the potentially challenging nature of such conversations. We will use a number of creative strategies to approach our questions from oblique angles and there will also be scope for participants to share their own experiences and ideas. DR. MARIAH WHELAN - WORKSHOP LEADER Dr Maria Whelan is an award winning poet, teacher and interdisciplinary researcher whose research explores the intersection of creative and academic practice. Her dual-thesis PhD in Creative and Critical Writing explored trauma and representation in novels by Eimear McBride, Anne Enright and Seamus Deane. Her creative thesis explored themes of intergenerational trauma through an experimental poetry collection. Mariah is the Jacqueline Bardsley Poet-in-Residence at Homerton College, Cambridge and a Fellow in Creative Practice at UCL. She is the editor and co-founder of bath magg, and is the author of the love I do to you (2019) and her new forthcoming pamphlet, The Rafters are Still Burning.

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Trauma and the Creative Writing Classroom

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Trauma and the Creative Writing Classroom

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