Look Up, Write Down - Starlines

It all began with…

Chaos, a cosmic egg, a deep dive from another Earth. 

The stars have always inspired human understanding of our origins, but the stories we have created to fill in the blanks have often been influenced by the patterns in the world around us. 

As Science Fiction Writer Isaac Asimov aptly summarised

“Almost in the beginning was curiosity.”

So, in October we’re going back to the start to trace a journey of where we might be going. Come wander the ‘Starlines’, on the third iteration of our online creative writing group.

‘Look Up, Write Down’ dives creatively into the facts of the natural world to invite your imagination to soar.

Dates:

28th October - 7.30 - 9pm GMT

4th November - 7.30 - 9pm GMT

11th November - 7.30 - 9pm GMT

Online via Zoom.

Is this for you?

Writers, Scientists and all curious souls are welcome.

This is for you if you want to be inspired by the wilder world and creatively explore science based stories that shine a light on how the Earth began and what might happen next.

What will the workshops involve?

By the end of the three weeks you will have:

• Opened creative connections to the wilder world around you.
• Written at least three new pieces of creative writing.
• Creatively responded to the climate crisis and found an imaginative way to consider what is happening in the world now.
• Listened to scientific ideas inspired by the stars.
• Experimented with different ways of writing in response to scientific stories.
• Shared your ideas, fears and hopes with a community of humans all seeking connection to the wilder world.

In practical terms the course will include the following:

• Three 1.5 hour long online zoom sessions
• At home tasks that invite you to continue to explore your ideas creatively in your own time.
• Opportunities to share your writing and ideas within an intimate circle of other creatives
• Guided meditations to awaken your creativity.
• Science based storytelling to reveal the wonder of the wilder world
• A Look Up, Write Down summary document at the end of the course for you to return to.

Your Guides:

Sophie Austin is a multi-disciplinary storyteller working across theatre, film and audio.She directed BFI/Film London funded short Just Passing which was on the 2023 Iris Prize Best of British Shortlist and broadcast on Channel 4.

Her latest experimental short documentary AWAKE! won Best Director at JAIFF and is currently part of an exhibition: Girls' Visions of Nature at the Girl Museum, her recent documentary Climate Criminals? will be touring the UK inviting audiences to explore the power of activism.

Sophie has co-written audio story walk Lore of the Wild with Bernadette Russell and has written the acclaimed ghost walk F for Farnham which was on the Sound Walk September shortlist 2023. She regularly coaches writers working in fiction, documentary and narrative drama.

Sophie founded and led critically acclaimed site-specific theatre company Teatro Vivo for 15 years before working on film and theatre projects internationally. She is Creative Director at environmental arts organisation, CHANGE Festival, where she creates projects and holds space for artists and audiences seeking inspiration for a regenerative future.

www.sophiejaneaustin.com| @sophiejanesnaps

Dr Gina Maffey is a weaver of words, willow and wildness.Born on a farm in Warwickshire, England, she has worked as an environmental researcher and science communicator in the Scottish highlands, the Brazilian wetlands and the Dutch lowlands, where she currently resides. Gina has woven her career across disciplines, including Astronomy, Anthropology and Ecology, to gather a deep, theoretical understanding of the natural world and our relationship with it. She applies this theory through personal experiments, such as living outside for a year.

Gina works as a public speaker and writer, creating interactive workshops and presentations that weave together poetic narratives, scientific insight and personal experience. She is represented by the agency ‘Speakers for Good’.

www.ginamaffey.com | @words.and.weaves

Feedback from our previous Look Up, Write Down creative writing series, Moonrise:

"It got me out of a rut in my head with the characters I've been writing for a long time. It helped me think about different perspectives and different environments and unlocked a key element of the world I'm building for my characters."

"I'd forgotten the night sky was there. I was taking it for granted. I've been much more observant, much more inclined to stand under it and watch what's going on. "

"The conversations we had as a group enabled me to reflect more on my feelings and thoughts of the world around me. Also hearing other stories and peoples thoughts on their interpretation of the natural world opened many doors for me."

"I absolutely loved this course and would encourage anyone to give it a go. It is so well put together, with the course content, musical involvement, guest speaker, plus the gentle support and encouragement given by Sophie and Gina. I feel it has given me an opportunity to explore a creative side of myself which I hadn't done for 40+ years. Thank you."

Artwork by Look Up, Write Down Artist in Residence Amy Wilson.