First Draft

First Draft is a monthly gathering of awesome writers in a fantastic relaxed pub. Settle in, grab yourself a drink, and work alongside other creative people.

Bring a project you're passionate about or some work you need to do: a novel, a script, a short story, your dissertation, or even just take the chance to do some journaling.

Dedicate some time each month to making progress, finding accountability in good company. And afterwards, enjoy another drink and a chat with your fellow writers!

Firstly let us explain that this is not a writing course. We won't be teaching you how to write.

We're starting First Draft because we want to write too! We were inspired by book clubs where attendees read their own books, carving out an hour a month to sit down and read with other people. We realised that we would benefit from writing together as well.

After a quick introduction, we’ll dive into an hour and a half of focused writing time, followed by an hour to chat and connect with fellow writers. Network, make some writer friends, perhaps form a regular accountability partnership!

We are looking for people who want to write. People who want to spend an hour and a half in the company of other writers, each focusing on their own work, not chatting or distracting each other (there will be time for that at the end!).

Come alone or bring your friends! We'll all get chance to chat after the writing is done.

Anything you want! Sam is writing a book about magic tricks, and Chloe is writing a book of fiction. Maybe you are working on an essay or dissertation, or you have a paper you have to finish for work and just need an extra bit of time. Perhaps you want to write a letter to a long lost friend. Or maybe you need to process some of your thoughts with a bit of journaling. Everything is welcome.

Bring a laptop, bring a notepad and pencil, if you can carry it and make it fit then you can even bring a typewriter!

First Draft is designed for anyone with a writing project in mind or a desire to create. Even if you’re just getting started, everyone’s welcome! Since this isn’t a writing course, we may not be able to guide novice writers directly, that said everyone is welcome!

If you don't have something to work on, or you've never written anything before, don't worry! We'll provide some creative prompts for you to choose from and to help spark some creative writing.

We are Sam and Chloe, a couple of writers from Brighton and Hove and we can't wait to meet you!

Sam noticed that as a writer he would spend an evening writing, and then would find that for the following two or three weeks he'd write every day, but once he broke that flow he wouldn't write for months until repeating the cycle again. He was looking for a time and place to regularly kickstart that project.

Chloe was looking for a push to get started on her book. She felt that sitting down in a room with other writers would give her a time and a place where she had no choice but to begin, a place where the creative energy would get her going!

Discussing the idea of this writing club we realised we had to make it happen, for our own sakes and enjoyment! We hope that everyone else has a great time and makes a lot of progress on their work... But selfishly we are both hoping to make a lot of progress too!

We can't wait to see you all there, and get going on some amazing projects!

P.S.

Yes... our name is supposed to be a pun!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Windmill Brighton, 69 Upper North Street, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom