About this Event
SHAPING THE STORY: A Life Writing Workshop
Facilitated by Yvonne Weekes
In 1995, the Soufriere volcano in Montserrat erupted, disrupting the lives of 12,000 people, including myself and my then ten-year-old son. My once-journaling thoughts of that loss materialized many years later in published in 2006 by Peepal Tree Press.
This immersive workshop is designed for those desirous of writing their autobiographies or biographies of love, loss, family, friendship, marriage, or children.
For those approaching this kind of writing for the very first time, we'll discuss how journaling can be the impetus for elevating life experiences into storytelling. The workshop will include story sharing, creative writing exercises, as well as conversations about the role that memory and research play in shaping the narrative that one wishes to share with the world - all within a safe space.
Life writing not only changes the individual writer’s life but also captures the emotions, memories, and sense of identity which serves to nourish the vital forces within cultural communication.
YVONNE WEEKES is a Writer, Arts Educator, and Academic. She taught English and Drama in England and Montserrat; Theatre and Arts Education in Barbados at The Barbados Community College as well as The University of the West Indies; and directed theater in the Caribbean. In 2005 she won first prize in the Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Award (Barbados) for her memoir which chronicles her experience with the Montserrat volcanic crisis and was published by Peepal Tree Press. She has had poems, stories, essays, and academic articles published in over 20 anthologies and journals. Her books include Nomad – a collection of poems (House of Nehesi/HNP). Yvonne has presented papers and recited her poetry in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe, including at The Gallery speaker’s series, Grenada; Alliouagana Festival of the Word, Montserrat; St. Martin Book Fair, St. Martin; International Poetry Festival of Medellín, Colombia; World Poetry Movement, Venezuela; and Norwich Science Fair, England. She recently received national recognition from the government of Montserrat and was awarded The Order of Excellence for her contribution to Education, Culture, and the Arts.
An event organised and run by Inscribe - a writer development programme for Black & Asian writers, housed by Peepal Tree Press.
Photo of Yvonne Weekes by Risée Chaderton-Charles
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Brighton, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom
GBP 12.00 to GBP 15.00