I mentioned that I have been asked to lead a creative writing group as part of the U3A (University of the Third Age) for older people who wish to continue learning)and yesterday was my first meeting with the group. I was excited, and looking forward to the session, but unexpectedly very nervous. A writing group has been running for many years and the numbers which had increased which led to the new group being formed. There were a couple of people on the waiting list too, who could come to a new group. My poor husband – he had to help me tidy and get the house ready for the eight people I was expecting, and then he would have to come in halfway through and take orders for and make tea or coffee.
I knew what I wanted to do with the group,which way I thought would be a good way to go but I also wanted to be open to what the group wanted, and how they would like the sessions to proceed. In the previous group, an elderly and very lovely lady had led it for several years before being replaced by a friend of mine… and it seemed to me, without being disrespectful to the previous leader, that the sessions had been a time for members to read their work which was on a set theme, a few pleasant comments were made but no real discussion about writing and trying to write better or differently. If that was what the group wanted, then I was ok with that, although it didn’t sound very stimulating, but if they wanted to look at the craft of writing and try to be adventurous in the way they wrote, then I was really up for that! I didn’t want to be harsh or critical, there’s no place for that, but challenging and encouraging.
The group arrived, all friendly and smiley, and then there was that moment when there was a pause in the chat and they all looked at me! The first thing I wanted was for them to introduce themselves and say what they wrote and also what they liked reading… I had thought about starting with ‘why’ they wrote… but I think that will be next time’s starter! I had worried that there might not been enough to fill the two hours, but there was plenty and I managed to steer the discussion in the way I wanted, so we talked about aspects of writing as well as general things; after coffee a couple of them had brought a short piece which they read, and they had responded to my request it should be brief, so I was able to make some comments on each piece which was read, and one member left a manuscript for me to read… which I shall be very pleased to do,and offer comments to him on it!
So, phew! All in all, it went very well!
Lois Elsden 