Writing for the Hell Of It: a brand new course of writing workshops (Weds)

A four-week course of online creative writing workshops, led by writer and experienced workshop-leader Adam Z. Robinson.

No deadlines. No pressure. Just writing... for the hell of it.

Want to carve out the time and space to write regularly? Want to try something new? Not sure what to write or where to start with creative writing? Hoping to get back into writing after a break? Never done any creative writing but always wanted to try it? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, grab your place on this course.

Across four sessions on Wednesday evenings, join writer Adam Z. Robinson as he leads you through a series of fun, productive and exciting creative writing exercises. Along with the your fellow group members, you'll discover the joys and freedom of writing for the hell of it!

DATES: Wednesday evenings, 7 May - 28 May 2023 (for the Tuesday course, click here).

PRICING

"I'm commited to making my courses and workshops affordable for anyone who wants to attend, which is why I have several ticket options available. However, this course is an indepdendent venture so if you can afford the full ticket price, please take that option. Thanks, Adam."

The general course ticket is priced at £65 per ticket (plus an Eventbrite charge).

There is also a discounted ticket priced at £50 for anyone in lower-income circumstances, whatever they be. You won't be challenged or asked to 'prove' this - it's being run on an honesty basis.

Comparible courses to this one run at around £23-25 per session. So, I've also included a ticket price to reflect this. If you can afford to pay more, there's an £80 ticket option..

If the cost of this course is a barrier to your attendance, even at the concession level, please contact me: thebookofdarknessandlight@gmail.com

GENERAL TICKET: £65 (+Eventbrite fee)

REDUCED PRICE: £50

AFFORD TO PAY A LITTLE MORE?: £80

HOUSEHOLD* TICKETS: £100

*i.e. two or more participants in the same household, sharing the same screen.

NB: The course must have at least 22 participants to run.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

At each workshop Adam will guide you through a series of writing exercises on various areas of writing, providing prompts and inspiration to get you started. Then...you'll just write! How you respond is entirely up to you. The only focus will be to have fun with language and enjoy the freedom of writing anything you like. After these short bursts of writing, there'll be an opportunity for writers to share their work with the group.

At Adam's workshops, there is no pressure and no hierarchy. There's a relaxed, welcoming and supportive atmosphere and whether you've written 100 novels or nothing at all, you're equally welcome and important. Whatever you put on the page is the right thing. In fact, Adam's golden rule in workshops is 'You cannot be wrong'.

AIMS

The main aim of this course is to simply enjoy the activity of writing. That's it. We hope you'll learn new things about your own voice and pick up skills along the way to help develop your writing craft. There's no 'end product' expected and there's no pressure to complete anything by the end of the course.

Of course, the hope is that you'll go away from each workshop with some brand new ideas that you're desperate to get back to. And, some of these may end up as wonderful finished stories, poems, plays etc.

If you do have projects you're working on and you'd like to use the exercises to explore these, you're very welcome to. The focus of this course, however, is to be in the moment and to enjoy and embrace the exhilarating process of writing for pleasure.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

- There will be four LIVE-streamed workshops (see dates and times below). Workshops will take place on Zoom, so you'll need a reliable internet connection.

- You'll need something to write with and something to write on (notepad and pen, laptop, or whatever you prefer).

- The workshops will generally run for two hours but may extend a little from time to time.

- On Sunday 4 May , 6pm, there'll be an Introduction Session where everyone can say 'hello' and Adam will tell you a little more about how the course will work. Put it in your diary!

- The course must reach at least 22 participants to run.

DATES

All workshops will be LIVE-streamed on Zoom on Wednesday evenings, 7pm (UK time).

INTRODUCTION - Sunday 4 May - 6pm (30 mins approx)

WEEK 1 - Wednesday 7 May - 7pm-9pm

WEEK 2 - Wednesday 14 May - 7pm-9pm

WEEK 3 - Wednesday 21 May - 7pm-9pm

WEEK 4 - Wednesday 28 May - 7pm-9pm

OPTIONAL OPEN MIC NIGHT: A chance to share your work at the end of the course

*NB: Dates may be subject to change, but course participants will be informed in advance in this unlikely event.

ABOUT THE COURSE LEADER

Adam Z. Robinson is a writer, theatre-maker, prize-winning author of flash fiction and workshop leader. He has been leading creative writing workshops, both nationally and internationally, since 2013. His theatre work includes: Upon the Stair (“Everyone needs to see this show” - ✭✭✭✭½ The Reviews Hub) and Smile Club (✭✭✭✭ The Guardian) co-written with Andrea Heaton. His plays The Book of Darkness & Light and Shivers toured nationally between 2016-2019. As well as his original plays, Adam has adapted classic works for the stage: Nightmares (national tour 2024), Haunted (two national tours, 2023) and A Christmas Carol (tour national tours, residencies in London and New Brunswich, Canada). Adam's other writing includes: Conscientious (national tour 2014), Belle & Mary. His most recent play, Unhomely, premiered at Leeds Playhouse in 2024. In fiction, Adam's stories 'God Save the King' and 'The story we will one day never tire of telling you' won Highly Commended awards in the Bridport Prize. His story 'Assembly Line' was published in the Bath Flash Fiction Award anthology and his story 'Favouritism' won first prize in the Letter Review Prize for Flash Fiction. His story 'questions my mother the brain surgeon asked me during my operation' was longlisted for the Edinburgh Flash Fiction Award 2025.

FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS COURSES:

"This has been the best writing class I've done and it has exceeded my expectations."

" This was the most fun class/workshop I've ever taken in my life."

" Reignited the writing spark in me."

"I loved the course. Adam made it so easy. He was friendly and positive and really encouraging."

" Adam is a wonderful course leader and I look forward to joining on further courses in the future!"

" Adam is an excellent course leader who always put you at ease "

"Adam has a fantastic knowledge of the subject."

"Loved it. So glad I came!"

"Very relaxed atmosphere. Inspiring."

"Encouraging/friendly and informal atmosphere. Adam is very encouraging and interesting to listen to. I definitely learned a lot from the experience. Thank you!"

"It was perfect."

"My first workshop - thoroughly enjoyed it. Very inspiring. The format was great. Didn't feel intimidated, nervous or insecure."

SAFEGUARDING: A COURSE FOR ADULTS

This is a course for adults. We want every writer on the course to be comfortable writing and sharing whatever they wish. By purchasing a ticket you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Any younger people present while to workshops take place are entirely the responsibility of adults and caregivers.

The course leader actively promotes an inclusive, respectful and supportive environment. Any behaviour that falls outside of this will not be tolerated and participants may be asked to leave the course if they resort to such conduct.