This group is open to any U3A member, regardless of previous writing experience. It is not intended to be a tutorial and there is no plan to give any form of writing instruction. It is simply a forum to enable us to enjoy writing and to have fun sharing with others what we have written. We will be meeting regularly on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Our intention is to set a topic each month, based upon which each member will write a piece. These will usually be personal anecdotes or short stories, of around 1,000 - 1,500 words, but, as variation, we will occasionally stretch ourselves with a poem, a letter or maybe even a short script for a sketch. At the following meeting, each of these will be read out to the rest of the group.
These topics are intended to spark inspiration and are not cast in stone. They can be treated as loosely as you wish. For example, for the topic, 'A little bit about me', this can be detail of your whole life history, an interesting anecdote from your past, people who are important in your life, or even what you always wanted to be but never quite achieved. Imagination rules, OK?!
There may be some amongst you who feel only able to write factual accounts from their own memory and might baulk at the thought of writing a fictional story. That is not a problem, whatever you feel comfortable with is fine by us - perhaps after a few months you might feel confident enough to wander outside your comfort zone and produce something different, and surprise yourself with just how enjoyable it can be!
If you are not a U3A member, please take a look at the Southend U3A website:
http://u3asites.org.uk/southend/home
U3A - The University of the Third Age - is open to anyone who is retired and therefore in their 'Third Age'.