Scratch Workshop Day

A day of playful writing workshops run by local writer facilitators trying out new ideas, making connections and sharing approaches. Open to all aged 14+, with no experience needed, and no minimum payment for booking.

Join from 9 am for networking in the Forest Arts café or workshop space.

9.45 am - 10.30 am, Spooky Flash Fiction with Francesco Sarti.

Come up with a spooky idea and see if you can turn it into a fully (or nearly) formed piece of flash fiction, ready for entry to competitions and magazines. With creative writing teacher and author of poetry, short fiction and novels in Italian and English, Franceso Sarti.

10.45 am - 11.30 am, Poetry from Songs with Harley Truslove

Fancy writing a poem but never really known where to start? Already a poet but stuck for inspiration? Well, look no further than your favourite playlist! Songs can be a great way to start the creative process, giving you the foundation you need to develop your next piece.

Come along to this workshop led by BBC Words First finalist Harley Truslove to see if you can make a sonnet from ska, or a haiku out of heavy metal.

11.45 am - 12.30 pm, Exploring Writing for Wellbeing with Kate Randerson.

Engage with creativity through writing, inspired by local nature around the coast and the New Forest, with Kate Randerson, qualified therapeutic writing facilitator, who has run writing for wellbeing sessions at RHS Wisley, Room for Work and the Thames Ditton Climate and Nature Festival as well as this year with Read Easy as part of Play on Words.

1 - 1.45 pm, Be your own Mr or Mrs Maisel with Sophie Dianne

"Comedy is fuelled by oppression, right? By the lack of power, by sadness, and disappointment, or, being down right pissed off! Who does that describe more than a woman? Judging by those standards, only the 'fairer sex' can be funny. Now, a woman whose able to control the chaos of life, will always be more attractive... Or turn the sisterhood green with envy. But this morning, I woke up late with a migraine, I can’t put my hair up, so I felt the need to run my mane through the straighteners. After stepping outside for 2 seconds, there’s no poise or dignity about me. When I was younger, my brother would take a photo of me with old records, comparing my hair to that of 80s heavy metal bands. Great memories, hasn’t left me with a hair complex at all… Anyway, join me for a wellbeing workshop, and turn your chaos into a comedic monologue," with poet and writer Sophie Dianne.

2 - 3 pm, Creating Characters with Stacie Bates

Develop character and a monologue through objects and place-based writing, with Stacie Bates, playwright, director, and educator, known for her work in theatre. Stacie is the Artistic Director of Assembled Moments, a dynamic physical theatre company based in the New Forest.

3.15 - 3.55 pm, Building Character with Liz Garland

Inspired by acting techniques where a character is built through their shoes, approach writing characters in a new way: for writers of theatre or fiction who might want to try something new. With writer, actor, director and facilitator Liz Garland, whose play 'Becoming Simone' is currently being developed with Mayflower, Stage Door and Forest Forge Theatre Company.