Creative writing with Emma Beynon

Creative writing course with poet and writer Emma Beynon.

Six workshops:

Wednesday evenings 6 - 7.30pm Online - 30th June, 7th and 14th July

Saturday mornings 11.15am – 1.15pm outside at Oriel Davies Gallery - 17th, 24th and 31st July

12 places available. Please book on the website. We recommend signing up for all six workshops.

"Everyone has a different way of seeing the world. Everyone has their own story to tell. I believe creative writing can help you find that story."

Join Emma Beynon, poet and creative writing facilitator, to explore your world in writing.

"When it comes to creative writing, there is no right answer. It is just a question of capturing ideas on paper and giving it a go. You don’t even have to worry about spelling or punctuation when you start. It is about taking some time for yourself to notice the world."

Emma’s workshops are informal and supportive. Sitting around a table or writing outside in nature, Emma will introduce you to the skills and techniques to help you write, as well as share her favourite poetry to inspire you to write. "Poems of all styles and eras: from leading Welsh writer Jonathan Edwards to local poets who write lyrically and with great honesty about living and working the Cambrian Mountains."

“In creative writing I’ve found an activity that grounds me, recalls me to the present moment, makes room for me to notice and recall in a medium that doesn’t come that easily to me. I’ve been surprised and pleased to find that I have something to say, have enjoyed the challenges of the tasks which have been so effective at drawing ideas from the group” Previous Participant.

No writing experience is needed.

The course is inspired by an Oriel Davies commission to coincide with our forthcoming Masterpiece Tour exhibition with the National Gallery. The exhibition features The House of Cards - a C17th oil painting by French Artist Jean-Siméon Chardin. In the painting a young boy carefully and balances a stack of playing cards.

Illustrator Alyn Smith has created a series of illustrations on the theme of Building a Future. The illustrations are produced as a beautiful set of cards and each participant will receive a set at the beginning of the workshops.

About the tutor:

Emma Beynon is a qualified teacher and poet with considerable experience of working in the community for Radiate Arts, Mind and projects such as ‘It’s Called Ffasiwn’.

Emma has also taught creative writing for The Hay Festival; Natural Resources Wales as well as leading ‘Caban Sgriblio’, a creative writing project for young people, funded by Children In Need  https://peak.cymru/caban-sgriblio/.   Every winter Emma leads writing residencies in Iceland for The Museum of Everyday life in the Western Fjords: https://everydaylife.is. Emma is currently studying poetry with Kim Moore.

“I was bought up on a mixed farm in Rhossili, when we were little we were expected to help on the farm. It was an active childhood that prepared me well for sailing in the Arctic in a 100 year old wooden boat. My writing about my adventures in the Arctic and on the farm have been published in magazines and anthologies. I am currently being mentored by the contemporary Cumbrian poet Kim Moore. I believe creative writing has the power to move and engage us all. I enjoy helping others gain pleasure and confidence in their own writing process.”

This workshop is suitable for beginners and is free to attend but we suggest a voluntary donation to support the continuing work of Oriel Davies delivering workshops, events, activities and projects. Our aim is to provide opportunities for all in society to ensure nobody misses out on the health, wellbeing and educational benefits of creativity.